In early 2004, I was asked by Byron Preiss of Byron Preiss Visual Publications to create a comic book adaptation of The Wizard of Oz as part of Penguin Puffin Graphics' new Graphic Classics line. I wrote the adaptaion, pencilled, lettered and inked all 144 pages plus the cover and the book was released on September 8th, 2005. Here is some of the art, plus some reviews and ordering information.
Artwork
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Reviews for "Wizard Of Oz"
Kirkus Reviews, from www.barnesandnoble.com
A lively and charming adaptation of the quintessential American fairytale.
Cavallaro's black-and-white art uses clean lines, bold blacks and pleasingly
variegated panel layouts to breathe fresh vigor into Baum's timeless classic.
The storyline moves briskly while staying mostly faithful to the original
text, though purists might cavil at the telescoping of Dorothy's admittedly
redundant journey to Glinda's castle. The real delight here is the re-imagining
of beloved characters for the 21st century, ironically reminiscent of Baum's
own prairie populism. These Munchkins are no outre Art Deco midgets, but as
friendly and familiar as Wal-Mart shoppers. The Tin Man becomes a genial robot
with a buzz-saw appendage, and the Scarecrow a likable homeboy. Generous,
openhearted Dorothy herself is clearly on the cusp of adolescence, spunky
and self-reliant in her boot-cut jeans and Wonder Girl bracelets; and her
magical silver shoes (no glittery ruby pumps here!) look comfortable and sturdy,
far more sensible for the long trek down the Yellow Brick Road. By no means
a substitute for the original, but certainly a worthy companion, and well
able to stand on its own. (Graphic novel. 8+)
by Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher www.jazmaonline.com
Comments: Michael Cavallarao spent two years at Joe Kubert School of Cartoon
Art in Dover, New Jersey. He has drawn and painted for Valiant, DC Comics,
MTV Animation and Cartoon Network and self-publishes his own comic book "66
Thousand Miles Per Hour". In the "Wizard of Oz", Dorothy and
Toto run into the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow in the land
of Oz (yep, all of your favorites!). Dorothy finds a world filled with magic,
good and bad witches, and a wondrous wizard capable of granting her only wish,
to return home. Welcome to Emerald City where Dorothy will meet the powerful
Wizard of Oz! Michael Cavallaro adds his touch and spin to this classic story
by describing the town in Kansas that Dorothy is from and her family. There
are dramatic moods that swing with this story as the expected cyclone hits,
but the way that Michael does the storytelling, you’re not expecting
the cyclone to hit so fast. You will discover the close relationship between
Dorothy and Toto and you will be thrilled when Dorothy arrives at the land
of the Munchkins. I love the way Michael draws Dorothy’s house on top
of the Wicked Witch of the East. You’ll even get goosebumps as you see
those nasty critters - you know what I’m talking about, the winged monkeys!
Yep, it’s all here in this incredible graphic novel. The Wizard of Oz
- The Graphic Novel is the L. Frank Baum’s story comes to life, the adaptation
by Mr. Cavallarao will thrill all Oz fans, his take on the story has exceptional
flare and the artwork jumps out of the pages, it can’t get any better
than this!
by Steven Grant from his "Permanent Damage" column , www.comicbookresources.com
More in Puffin's mostly excellent new "Classics Illustrated" series.
I've hated THE WIZARD OF OZ since I first saw the movie at around age 6, but
Cavallaro does a terrific job of adapting it, hitting all the high points
of the story without dwelling on the slow parts, though (like everyone else)
he fails to explain why Dorothy would want to go back to her drab life in
Kansas. The only minor problem is that the Kansas designs are updated to indicate
the story's taking place today, which kind of works against it, but Dorothy
doesn't spend enough time in Kansas for it to become an issue.
Ordering Information
Copies of "The Wizard Of Oz" can be purchased online at:
Order from Barnes & Noble Online