The Marvelous Land of Oz (comics) facts for kids

The Marvelous Land of Oz is a comic book series from Marvel Comics. It is based on the famous book The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This comic series has eight issues and was written by Eric Shanower. The amazing drawings were done by Skottie Young, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu added the colors. This series is a follow-up to another comic book version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz made by the same creative team.

Story of the Marvelous Land of Oz

The comic book tells the exciting story of a boy named Tip. He lives with an old witch named Mombi, who is not very kind to him.

Tip's Escape and New Friends

One day, Tip decides to build a friend out of wood. He creates a man with a pumpkin for a head, named Jack Pumpkinhead. Mombi uses her magic powder to bring Jack to life! Mombi then tells Tip she plans to turn him into a marble statue. Tip decides he must run away. He takes Jack and Mombi's magic powder with him.

As they escape, they find a wooden saw-horse. Tip uses the magic powder to bring the saw-horse to life too! Jack rides the Sawhorse, and they rush ahead. They arrive in the land of Oz before Tip does. There, they meet the Scarecrow, who is now the ruler of Oz.

Meanwhile, Tip meets General Jinjur. She is leading an army against the Scarecrow. Jinjur wants to become the new ruler of Oz. Her army takes over the Emerald City, and Jinjur becomes the new queen.

Seeking Help and Facing Challenges

After the city is taken, Tip meets up with the Scarecrow, Jack, and the Sawhorse. The Scarecrow suggests they ask the Tin Woodman for help. The Tin Woodman rules the Winkies, another group in Oz.

Mombi offers to help Jinjur stop the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. She only asks that Jinjur hand Tip over to her. Jinjur agrees to this plan.

The Scarecrow, Jack, Tip, the Tin Woodman, and the Sawhorse head back to the Emerald City. On their way, they meet a smart insect called the Woggle-Bug, who joins their group. Mombi tries to stop them with her magic, but they get help from the Queen of the Field Mice.

The group manages to scare Jinjur and her army out of the throne room. But then they realize they are trapped inside! They quickly build a flying machine using a deer's head, which they call the Gump. They fly out of the Emerald City to find help.

On their journey, they get caught in a giant nest. Luckily, they find a box of wishing pills. They wish themselves out of the nest and continue their trip to find Glinda the Good Witch.

The True Ruler of Oz

When they finally reach Glinda, she tells them a secret. The true ruler of Oz is a girl named Ozma. Glinda believes that the Wizard of Oz, who ruled before the Scarecrow, asked Mombi to hide Ozma. This was so the Wizard could keep his throne.

Glinda agrees to help and brings her army to Oz. Mombi and Jinjur try to trick Glinda by disguising a soldier as Mombi. But Glinda sees through their plan. Glinda and Jinjur agree that Glinda can search for Mombi. If she doesn't find her, she will leave.

Mombi disguises herself as a flower. The Tin Woodman picks this flower while searching, not knowing he has found Mombi! Glinda is disappointed and leaves. But in her camp, she notices the strange flower. She realizes it's Mombi and makes her reveal herself!

Mombi is captured by Glinda and the group. They question her about the true ruler of Oz. Mombi finally admits that Tip is actually Ozma! Mombi had turned Ozma into a boy to hide her. Tip is given a special potion and changes back into Princess Ozma. Ozma then takes her rightful place as the ruler of Oz.

Collected Comics

You can read all eight issues of The Marvelous Land of Oz in one big hardcover book.

• The Marvelous Land of Oz (200 pages, hardcover, released September 29, 2010)