The Wizard of Oz meets The Hurt Locker in the exciting The O.Z. and now it is launching its final chapter. The brainchild of writer David Pepose, The O.Z. puts a fresh and unique spin on the classic tale, using it to talk about issues of trauma and life during wartime. The book’s first two issues were hits on Kickstarter, and now Pepose is bringing it to an explosive conclusion.

David Pepose rocketed onto the American comics’ scene on the strength of books such as Savage Avengers. Savage Avengers was created as a vehicle for Conan the Barbarian, who Marvel had just reacquired the rights to. When the license expired, and Conan once again left the Marvel Universe, the book continued on, but struggled. Pepose helped Savage Avengers find its groove once again. Although the book has since concluded, Pepose has worked on other projects at Marvel, including Moon Knight: City of the Dead.

Pepose has also distinguished himself in a number of media tie-in comics. He currently writes the Space Ghost and Captain Planet monthly series for Dynamite Entertainment and Speed Racer for Mad Cave Studios. The O.Z. is a creator-owned project, with two issues so far. The third chapter goes up for pre-order today on Kickstarter, and ScreenRant is pleased to bring fans an exclusive first look.

The O.Z. Is the Darkest Riff on the Classic Wizard of Oz Story Yet

David Pepose Has Some Awesome Rewards for The O.Z.’s Kickstarter Campaign

The O.Z. #3 Kickstarter launched today, bringing Pepose’s dark riff on The Wizard of Oz to an unforgettable end. The book follows the adventures of Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter, also named Dorothy, who is an Iraq War veteran. As she deals with the trauma from her time in the service, she is whisked to the Land of Oz, which has been subjugated under the Scarecrow King. The inhabitants now call their homeland “the Occupied Zone,” or “The O.Z.”

Pepose has also provided ScreenRant with preview pages from The O.Z. #3, shared here. Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Pumpkin King are being held prisoner by the Scarecrow and his lackeys. Pepose and Rojas pull no punches in depicting the horrors and trauma the Scarecrow inflicts upon his prisoners. The Scarecrow means business, and Dorothy and her friends must race against time to stop him. Finally, Pepose provided ScreenRant with a first look at Serg Acuña’s cover.

The Kickstarter campaign for The O.Z. #3 promises some amazing rewards for those who preorder. Among them include behind the scenes material, including Pepose’s scripts and Rojas’ breakdowns. There are also tiers collecting Pepose’s other works, as well as a chance to book an in-store signing by Pepose at a local comic shop.

The O.Z. Infuses Frank Baum’s Story With Real World Grittiness

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved stories in American culture. Written by L. Frank Baum and part of a larger series of books, The Wizard of Oz has captured the hearts and minds of fans for nearly a hundred years. As with any story existing for such a long period of time, riffs and pastiches have developed. Television stories such as Tin Man and comics like Fables have shown different sides of the land of Oz.

Yet The O.Z., which mixes elements of The Wizard of Oz and The Hurt Locker, ranks as one of the most unique takes on the story yet. Dorothy is fighting a war on two fronts: in Oz itself and again in her mind, as she comes to terms with her past. The preview pages invoke the notorious Guantánamo Bay, and connect with it Oz’s fight against the Scarecrow King in the present. David Pepose has hit on an amazing concept in The O.Z., and now it is coming to a brutal, blood-soaked end.

The O.Z. #3 is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter!