Abadazad

    (CrossGen, 2003-2004)
™ and © CrossGen

One of the most creative, beautiful, and regrettable victims of the “CrossGen implosion” was J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog’s Abadazad. Abadazad is the mystical land in a fictional “beloved series of century-old children’s books.” The abducted brother of 14-year-old Kate has been missing for five years: guess where he’s been.

This new series of novels is an amazing mix of media. It includes Kate’s first-person narrative, traditional illustrations, and “excerpts” from the “original” Abadazad books and comics pages that, like the prose, propel the storyline. It’s an innovative, effective, magical mix.

Any resemblance to Oz is strictly intentional but also fleeting. Yes, we can say that “Little Martha” corresponds to Dorothy, Queen Ija to Ozma, Master Wix to Jack Pumpkinhead, etc., but that’s superficial. Abadazad’s characters are original creations whose resemblance to more famous archetypes is a mere storytelling convenience, a literary form of shorthand: like putting super-heroes in tights. The meat of the characters is in their personalities, which are new and unusual.

The art is splendid. Recommended for ages 9 and up, Abadazad is not to be missed.

— Jack Abramowitz
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Mar 2004
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J.M. DeMatteis  ·  A: Mike Ploog
    7 copies from $1.75
  • 1-2
    #1 - 2nd printing
    Mar 2004
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J.M. DeMatteis  ·  A: Mike Ploog
    3 copies from $3.98
  • 2
    #2
    Apr 2004
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J.M. DeMatteis  ·  A: Mike Ploog
    6 copies from $2.95
  • 3
    #3
    May 2004
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J.M. DeMatteis  ·  A: Mike Ploog
    Final issue; Includes DeMatteis interview
    4 copies from $3.00
  • Bk 2/HC
    Book #2 Hardcover
    Hardcover Edition with cover by Mike Ploog
    May 2006
    Cover: $9.99
    W: J.M. DeMatteis  ·  A: Mike Ploog
    Published in the U.S. by Hyperion Books for Children
    2 copies from $16.15