McGeesJabberwock
03-15-2007, 12:02 PM
I thought a board about a dark version of Wonderland would be incomplete without a mention of the several dark versions of L Frank Baum's Oz out there. I mean, aside from Margaret Hamilton and some of the songs, I never liked the MGM movie all that much, so seeing dark Ozs, especially ones that follow the book, warms my heart. Thus, I will be discussing some dark Ozs, but not in much detail, as this board is filled with minors and these versions of Oz have some pretty adult themes.
OK, the most well-known is Wicked by Gregory Maguire, as well as the musical. I haven't seen the musical yet but I want to after hearing some of the songs. I have read the book though, and enjoyed it immensely. Although younger members of this board may be disgusted by how graphic it is. I've noticed some compare it to LGW, but I disagree; Wicked has its own different atmosphere from LGW, lacking the action or the sci-fi imagery, instead puttin more focus on fleshing out Oz and its politics.
Another dark Oz novel, possibly surpassing Wicked in its graphicness is Was, by Geoff Ryman. It's not actually set in Oz at all, instead it looks at a dying actor (what he's dying of, I can't say on a board of minors) obsessed with Oz, a 'real' Dorothy Gael (not a typo) and a few chapters about Judy Garland. Approach this one with caution; it's very bleak and disturbing. It is, however, well written, and does, dare I say, a better job at intertwining historical fact with fiction than LGW (before you ask, while Dorothy 'Gael' did inspire L Frank Baum, she was not a lost princess from Oz or something; in fact, she never leaves Kansas and this isn't even a fantasy novel.)
Another Oz book of 'the dark side' is Bloodstained Oz by Christopher Golden, where vampires from Oz invade Kansas. Not much to say about it other than it's rather creepy and has good illustrations.
Oz is more prominent in comics, though. Illusive Arts' Dorothy series is quite close in tone to LGW, featuring a more fantasy/sci-fi orientated Oz, illustrated not with art, but with photos and computer generated images, creatin a very surreal and scary atmosphere. Another is Dorothy Gale: Journey to Oz, which features Nightmare Before Christmas type artwork and a Dorothy that resembles McGee's Alice. There is also Oz Squad, where Dorothy and her friends are government agents, and Caliber/Arrow Comics' Oz/Dark Oz/Land of Oz series, which features the Nome King taking over Oz and forcing the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion to do his evil bidding.
I felt this thread woul be relevant since Oz is frequently compared to Wonderland and it would be 'fun' to compare any of these with LGW with how they twist a well-known fairyland.
OK, the most well-known is Wicked by Gregory Maguire, as well as the musical. I haven't seen the musical yet but I want to after hearing some of the songs. I have read the book though, and enjoyed it immensely. Although younger members of this board may be disgusted by how graphic it is. I've noticed some compare it to LGW, but I disagree; Wicked has its own different atmosphere from LGW, lacking the action or the sci-fi imagery, instead puttin more focus on fleshing out Oz and its politics.
Another dark Oz novel, possibly surpassing Wicked in its graphicness is Was, by Geoff Ryman. It's not actually set in Oz at all, instead it looks at a dying actor (what he's dying of, I can't say on a board of minors) obsessed with Oz, a 'real' Dorothy Gael (not a typo) and a few chapters about Judy Garland. Approach this one with caution; it's very bleak and disturbing. It is, however, well written, and does, dare I say, a better job at intertwining historical fact with fiction than LGW (before you ask, while Dorothy 'Gael' did inspire L Frank Baum, she was not a lost princess from Oz or something; in fact, she never leaves Kansas and this isn't even a fantasy novel.)
Another Oz book of 'the dark side' is Bloodstained Oz by Christopher Golden, where vampires from Oz invade Kansas. Not much to say about it other than it's rather creepy and has good illustrations.
Oz is more prominent in comics, though. Illusive Arts' Dorothy series is quite close in tone to LGW, featuring a more fantasy/sci-fi orientated Oz, illustrated not with art, but with photos and computer generated images, creatin a very surreal and scary atmosphere. Another is Dorothy Gale: Journey to Oz, which features Nightmare Before Christmas type artwork and a Dorothy that resembles McGee's Alice. There is also Oz Squad, where Dorothy and her friends are government agents, and Caliber/Arrow Comics' Oz/Dark Oz/Land of Oz series, which features the Nome King taking over Oz and forcing the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion to do his evil bidding.
I felt this thread woul be relevant since Oz is frequently compared to Wonderland and it would be 'fun' to compare any of these with LGW with how they twist a well-known fairyland.