The Enchanted Apples of Oz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Enchanted Apples of Oz
Cover to The Enchanted Apples of Oz (First Graphic Novel #5). Art by Eric Shanower
Date	1986
Series	First Graphic Novel #5
Publisher	First Comics
Creative team
Writers	Eric Shanower
ISBN	0915419041

The Enchanted Apples of Oz is a special kind of comic book called a graphic novel. It was written by Eric Shanower and came out in 1986. This book is the first modern graphic novel based on the magical world of Land of Oz, created by author L. Frank Baum.

The story is about a girl named Valynn. She guards a secret garden with a magical apple tree. The apples on this tree hold all the magic of Oz! This book was Eric Shanower's first time drawing the Oz world. His art style became very famous for its beautiful and dreamy look.

The Story of the Enchanted Apples

Discovering the Magical Apple Tree

One day, Dorothy Gale, her friend the Scarecrow, and the hen Billina find a mysterious castle. It just appeared out of nowhere! Inside, they meet a young woman named Valynn. Valynn explains that she protects an ancient apple tree. This tree has been growing since Oz was first created.

Valynn tells them a big secret: if the apples are picked, or if the tree dies, all the magic in Oz will disappear forever! The apples are golden and can break any spell. There's also one silver apple, which is linked to Valynn's own life.

Valynn's Secret and Bortag's Plan

Valynn explains that people once knew about the apples. But a powerful magician named Bortag tried to steal them. To keep them safe, Valynn used a spell to hide the castle, herself, and the tree in a place called limbo. After 100 years, she felt lonely. She thought Bortag had given up, so she brought the castle back to Oz.

Dorothy suggests that Princess Ozma of Oz could help Valynn. Valynn is worried about leaving the tree alone. But Scarecrow and Billina promise to guard it. Dorothy uses her magic belt to teleport to the Emerald City to get Ozma.

Bortag Returns for the Apples

Bortag, the magician, had not forgotten about the apples! He felt a magical signal that they were back. He rides his flying swordfish, Drox, to the castle to steal them. Scarecrow and Billina try to stop him. But Scarecrow is knocked away, and Billina gets trapped in Bortag's pouch.

Meanwhile, Valynn is telling her story to Ozma. Ozma looks into her magic picture to learn more. They are shocked to see that some apples have already been stolen! They look for Bortag in the picture and find him in the desert. He is feeding an apple to an old woman. Wogglebug tells them she is the wicked witch of the south.

Bortag tries to tell the old woman he loves her. But she just takes the apples and casts a spell to teleport herself to the apple tree. The magic picture goes blank. Valynn realizes that Oz is starting to lose its magic! They quickly teleport to the castle.

Bortag's Sad Past

Bortag is very sad after the witch rejects him. He wants to walk into the dangerous desert. But Billina, still in his pouch, convinces him to go to the castle instead. They ride Drox towards the castle. Bortag tells Billina his story. He is from a town called Glun, where everyone is very ugly. Bortag wasn't ugly enough, so everyone hated him.

He moved away and started studying magic. But he could only make potatoes! Feeling down, he walked until he reached the desert. There, he found an old woman, the wicked witch of the south, asleep under a spell. He thought she was beautiful. He believed if he woke her, she would like him. So, he went after the apples to break her spell. But Valynn stopped him. When Valynn made the castle disappear, Bortag swore he would get the apples when it returned.

Later, a flying swordfish named Drox fell near Bortag's hut. Drox said he flew over the desert but couldn't get back to the ocean without water. As Billina tries to talk, she suddenly can't speak! This shows Bortag that Oz is truly losing its magic.

The Witch's Power and a Hero's Choice

Valynn, Ozma, and Dorothy arrive at the castle. Scarecrow tells them that apples were stolen and an old woman is eating the rest! Valynn rushes to face the Wicked Witch of the South, with Ozma and Dorothy right behind her.

Suddenly, Scarecrow grabs Dorothy's magic belt and gives it to the witch! Ozma realizes the Scarecrow is under the witch's control. As the witch reaches for the silver apple, Valynn charges at her. The witch turns Valynn into a silver statue!

Ozma and Dorothy try to think of a plan. But all the magic in Oz is gone, except for the belt, which the witch now wears. When Ozma tries a spell, the witch turns her into a stone statue too! Dorothy is very upset. Bortag watches from above as the witch decides what to do with Dorothy.

The witch says Dorothy is only good for firewood. She turns Dorothy into a wooden statue! Bortag decides he must get the belt. He flies in on Drox, who tries to snatch the belt from the witch. The belt gets caught on her shoe. Drox suddenly vanishes, turning into a cloud. Bortag and the witch fall and fight for the belt. In the struggle, Scarecrow is torn apart. Bortag finally gets the belt and turns the witch to stone. He then uses the belt to bring Valynn, Ozma, and Dorothy back to normal. He flies away with the belt.

Magic Returns to Oz

The next day, Ozma, Dorothy, and Scarecrow are in the throne room. Ozma says that Oz's magic is still fading. Without the belt, they can do nothing. Suddenly, Scarecrow becomes lifeless, which makes Dorothy sad.

Just then, Bortag returns with the belt! He says he thought the belt could give him everything. But he realized the only thing he truly wanted was for someone to like him. He found that friendship with Drox.

Bortag asks Ozma to send him and Drox to the ocean. But first, Ozma teleports them to the apple tree. This restores the apples, surprising Valynn! This also brings Scarecrow and Billina back to life. Ozma creates an invisible shield around the tree that only Valynn can pass through. This means Valynn never has to hide in limbo again. Ozma then teleports Bortag and Drox to the ocean. She tells them that true happiness is often found close by.