ComingSoon is excited to debut the Ultimate Oz Universe: Into the Outerlands covers for Artists, Writers & Artisans’ upcoming graphic novel expanding L. Frank Baum’s iconic world.
The second volume of Ultimate Oz Universe will feature new threats for Dorothy and Ozma as they venture outside the land of Oz. The main cover is done by Patricia Maratin, while a Kickstarter exclusive cover by Mike Deodato will be available on the crowdfunding website, which features a deluxe collector’s edition and more. Featuring more than 120 pages, the graphic novel will release on August 25.
“In Into the Outerlands, Dorothy is washed ashore on the wild coast of Outer Oz and swept into danger once more. With new companions at her side, she must confront Princess Langwidere, the cruel ruler of Castle Ev, before yet another corner of Oz is lost to darkness. Meanwhile, in the Emerald City, Princess Ozma struggles to master her newly awakened magic when Glinda the Good sends her on a perilous mission across the Deadly Desert toward Fire Island. Joined by Scarecrow, Lion, and the Tin Woodman, Ozma faces a rising threat tied to the Nome King’s legacy, and must uncover the deeper power within herself before it’s too late. Separated by distance but bound by destiny, Dorothy and Ozma’s stories unfold on a collision course as ancient evils rise and kingdoms tremble, testing whether hope, courage, and friendship can still shape Oz’s future,” says the official description.
Check out the Ultimate Oz Universe: Into the Outerlands covers below:
What do we know about Ultimate Oz Universe: Into the Outerlands?
Into the Outerlands is the second volume of the Ultimate Oz Universe graphic novel series. Joining co-writer Larry King and artist Mike Deodato Jr. is co-writer Fred Van Lente (Marvel Zombies). It is colored by Ive Svorcina and lettered by Steve Wands (Batman). A foreword by a “cultural figure with a longstanding admiration of Oz” will be announced soon (the first volume had a foreword by Elton John).
“What’s so cool about Oz is that it’s really the very first multi-part fantasy franchise, and there’s literally an infinite number of stories to come out of Baum’s work,” said Fred Van Lente, co-writer of Ultimate Oz Universe: Into the Outerlands. “In Volume 2, we show that Dorothy and Ozma aren’t just icons; they’re characters shaped by loss, responsibility, and choice. We’re taking the original material and adding even more emotional depth to show what heroism looks like when magic alone isn’t enough.”
AWA Chief Creative Officer Axel Alonso said, “Baum didn’t just create a setting; he built a living mythology with room to grow. With Volume 2, we’re pushing further into that mythology, following characters fans think they know into places they’ve rarely seen, and asking what OZ looks like when its legends are tested by forces older and more dangerous than anything they’ve faced before. This series is about honoring the depth of Baum’s imagination while letting it evolve in bold, surprising ways.”
More about the graphic novel will be announced on Friday, March 6, when AWA will hold a special panel at the Emerald City Comic Con.
