Writer – Gary Bishop, Bill Bryan
Artist – Bill Bryan
Letters – M.O.B. Studio

The book opens up with a downed plane and a young family surrounded by Wheelers, obviously in the land of Oz. When it looks like things are about to go from bad to worse, they are saved by strangers, namely those who follow Princess Langwidere and King Evardo who hail from the land of Ev. It seems that those from Earth, the Hunter family, have crashed into the desert between Oz and Ev and once introductions are through, they learn of the troubles that Ev is going through, of the man named Dolnar who has taken over their kingdom and how the king now seeks the aid of Ozma. As it is, Ozma has been out of commission for weeks in some strange sort of coma and none are able to rouse her. To that effect, the heroes of Oz – the Tin Woodsman, the Lion and the Scarecrow are summoned in the hopes that they might be able to do something for the queen. Authors Gary Bishop and Bill Bryan paint a very turbulent moment for the land of Oz and its neighbouring kingdom Ev. After reading the Book of Undo, things were supposed to get better, but evil always seems to find a way. As for what happened to Ozma, her coma could be a side effect of reading the book and casting such a significant spell. While it might look as though this issue started off in the middle of a story, that is somewhat correct for there was a prequel which takes place in the fourth issue of Arrow Anthology, one that leads off straight from the last page of the final issue of Dark Oz with Ozma sitting there with the Book of Undo. That is where Cat, Travis and their son Sean are introduced, heading out on a vacation upon a plane that fate it seems, had other plans for. It is not necessarily an essential bit to read before this first book, but it does paint a bit of a rounder picture by introducing the next set of players in this ongoing tale. What it does not explain is Ozma’s current state of affairs or what happened to Dorothy as of yet or just how good or how bad the spell might have worked. Hopefully, some of these things are addressed in a future issue, sooner rather than later, so that readers might get some answers. As for the Hunters, they are interesting so far, as are those who come from Ev and it is fun to see the Wheelers make an entrance. Where this will go is unknown but with Bryan and Bishop at the helm and with the former’s incredible artwork making it shine, it will definitely be something to look forward to.

4 out of 5