Comic books can still appeal to kids

Although most of the public thinks of comic books as "kids' stuff," there are few titles being published for small children.

Indeed, the average superhero comic is either too violent, sophisticated or boring for those 10 and younger. There are far more "Mature Readers" titles like "The Boys: Herogasm" (see below) than books like "Scooby Doo."

The convenient excuse is that with so many other entertainment options available to them, kids have left comics. In reality, comics have left kids - young boys and girls will happily read comics that are aimed at them and that engage them.

This has proven to be true with Marvel's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which has been such a surprise success that the publisher has gone back to press multiple times over the first several issues.

Why? Simple. The story is stimulating, it has a classic feel and it's full of movement and energy.

What also makes the title fresh for those who feel they know the story by heart from the classic 1939 film, is that it is a faithful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's century-old story - which is vastly different from the film.

When reading the comic you soon realize the movie is as faithful to the book as Halle Berry's "Catwoman" was to the comic.

While the premise and characters are the same as the film, they really are two different stories.

For example, in issue No. 7, the Wizard gives his gifts to the quartet of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Dorothy. Only instead of simply giving the Scarecrow a diploma, he takes his head off, empties it of straw and refills it with pins and needles.

Why pins and needles? For proof that he is sharp.

For those of you rolling your eyes and thanking god they changed that for the movie? Hey, it's a book for children and it comes out a lot better than it sounds.

The Tin Man then receives his heart in a fashion similar to the film.

However, the Cowardly Lion is granted not a medal but "liquid courage" and one can imagine MGM execs 70 years ago frantically coming up with a substitute for the Lion to get his courage in the film. One can imagine them terrified of a scene in a children's film in which a main character proclaims himself "full of courage" after drinking liquid from a bottle with a cork in it.

Although Toto costs Dorothy a ride home with the Wizard in the comic adaptation as well, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" shows the planning, thought and action that went into making the ballooon that was to take them home and portrays it as a wondrous achievement. It also explores in more depth the Wizard's desire to leave Oz and the lie he has been living.

In another departure,Glinda the Good Witch doesn't appear immediately after Dorothy is left behind to help her get back home as she does in the movie.

The issue ends in a cliffhanger, which will have you anxiously awaiting the conclusion.

Much like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," anyone who dared do a film version of this alltime classic that was closer to the book would likely find it edgier and cooler for a lot of kids - and they should use this comic as a template.

Writer Eric Shanower was the perfect choice for this title. He has done numerous "Oz"-related projects over the past few decades, detailing how Baum's characters developed over time. With "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" he gets to portray them as we first meet them.

Together, with artist Skottie Young's "Calvin and Hobbes"-esque art, Shanower has produced a fantastical tale which re-introduces us to classic characters and puts them in a new light.

"Oz" should prove irresistible to kids of all ages. It really is "Wonderful."

With Joe Quesada elsewhere, the hands-down winner for Most Entertaining Panel at Wizard World Philly was Dynamite, in terms of both announcements and fireworks.

The tone was set early on when the noise from a New York Improv next door kept intruding and comic legend Howard Chaykin inquired as to who was making all the noise. when informed it was a New York Improv troupe, he quickly retorted, "Well, they should go back to f--king New York!"

Dynamite Publisher Nick Barrucci announced that "Bill Willingham is at Dynamite. He's coming and he's not coming alone."

Garth Ennis said he was pleased with the freedom he has been given to write his fan-favorite "The Boys" at Dynamite, stating if he was still at DC, not only would he have editorial people to worry about, but DC's legal team.

"They're terrified of being sued." he said and added that "if we finished at DC, we likely would not be able to have any 'Boys' merchandise with Hughie" due to that character's resemblance to actor Simon Pegg.

"He was all about it," said Ennis.

"But even with his OK, they likely would have nixed it because they're so litigation minded."

"I will say that between Dynamite and Avatar, I'm probably happier than I've ever been," Ennis said.

Barrucci wanted to make sure everyone knew that he was annoyed that the company's "Boys" spinoff, "Herogasm," was returned by retail giant Lone Star Comics.

"Lone Star sent back all 99 copies of 'Herogasm' and didn't even put one on the shelf for sale or to fill a pull list," he said.

"I guess Mature Readers isn't enough of a hint anymore."

Barrucci also announced that every issue of "Project: Superpowers 2" will introduce someone new and that "The Lone Ranger" will be shipping bimonthly.

"It's bimonthly," he said. "We had a six month break to try and get caught up.

Note to everyone, a six month break is not a good idea. It kills sales."

"Don't you think it's the responsibility of the publisher to prevent that bullsh--," Chaykin retorted. "It p----s me the f--- off that I'm supporting an industry where having a book two years late is acceptable." *

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