Dorothy

(Illusive, 2005-2006)
™ and © Illusive

The fumetti meets 21st century technology in Dorothy, a visually dazzling adaptation of Baum’s classic tale. This Dorothy, a photo-real model named Catie Fisher, is transported via the magic of computer enhancement to an appropriately dreamy environment. No ingénue this, our new Dorothy is far from Baum’s babe in arms. The 2005 model is a contemporary teen, complete with dyed hair, piercings, foul mouth, and a Starbucks craving. The story isn’t for younger readers. It’s too soon to judge the story, which so far is mostly a retelling of Baum. Dorothy’s pickup truck is whisked away by a cyclone to a new land—one with extra moons in the sky. In the last few pages, malevolence is introduced, and who knows where that’s going? Don’t pick it up for the story, which, while a good one, is yet another modernization of a classic. Get it for the art, which bears little resemblance to comics that preceded it, though there have certainly been comics combining photos and painting in the past. The photography and computer visualizations are amazing. Even if the reader isn’t a fan, it’s rare to see something this fresh in the medium.

— Jack Abramowitz

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