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

The final issue of The Land of Oz and of the entire Oz saga that started back with Caliber Comics’ Oz wraps nearly everything up with a nice neat bow, though it does leave a few hanging threads never to be tied up. This is a feel-good issue by Gary Bishop and Bill Bryan, one that takes a break from all of the action that took place in the last eight issues. There are no bad guys to fight, no war on the horizon, and nobody looking to overthrow Ozma and shift the land into darkness – simply a group of heroes looking to go home, some looking to celebrate and others just to relax. The group does run into a minor problem as the way home looks to be lost but with the help of some woodland faeries, they manage to find a door that will do the trick, or at least they hope so. As it is, everyone reaches the Emerald City to find all is well with Ozma up and about and better than ever. Ozma herself has a worry that some might remember the before-times, of the evil that reigned before she cast a spell from the Book of Undo but her fears are put to rest soon enough and she now looks to move forward with whatever life might bring. As for all of those questions that remain, such as where are all of the other characters that readers have come to know and love over the course of three different series, what is this new threat that is subtly hinted at and what about Sean and the sentient magic he wields? There are more of course, yet one must simply let go it seems and with this book having a happy ending, that seems more than easy even if one would like the story to go on. One has to assume that since stories were plotted up through issue twelve something drastic must have happened for them not to be published, if they were even completed. If one were to surmise, it was simply due to the fact that Arrow Comics folded and any and all plans were scuttled, though it would have been nice to see Bishop and Bryan bring their book to another publisher, Dark Horse perhaps, to continue onwards. With the story hitting all the right notes, it should be said that Bryan who returned to inking his own work with this book did a great job as well. The man’s pencils have become synonymous with this title and with the land of Oz in general and provide a visual feast for the reader as one pours over the pages and the incredible linework he lays down. For those looking for something a little different to read, for a different take on Oz or simply something good, Oz/Dark Oz/The Land of Oz will satisfy that need in every way.

4 out of 5