ULTIMATE OZ UNIVERSE: THE LOST LANDS new comic book . Volume 1AWA Studios
By
Tiffany Leigh
Published 28 minutes ago
Tiffany is an award-winning journalist and avid comic book reader.
She is a nerd-at-heart and loves going to comic-cons to attend all the panels and wander artist alley. She loves to support and strengthen the comic community.
Her first story on NYCC cosplayers recceived Editor's Pick on Forbes and since then, she has been covering indie comics on Instagram, in comic magazines, newsletters, and traditional media outlets. She has since expanded her scope of coverge into the Big Two: DC and Marvel.
There are no wrong/bad questions when it comes to comics. Her aim is to appeal to new and longstanding readers with dynamic stories that go beyond capes and cowels.
If she isn't engaging in comic book coverage and interviewing the likes of Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane, you'll find her on Instagram doing comic reviews/education, unboxing, bag breaks, contests, faux cosplay, and working with indie publishers to champion their titles and work.
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leightiffany_/
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Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost Lands is a new graphic novel published by AWA Studios that's written in homage to the masterful world author L. Frank Baum conceived of. While your reference point may be the 1900s book (The Wizard of Oz) that inspired the legendary 1939 film starring Judy Garland, or even more recently with Wicked; and Wicked: For Good (starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo)— this adventure is completely different—in fact, think of it more like an exploration into thrilling, uncharted lands that you've yet to see and feel.
Co-written by Cullen Bunn and Larry King, art by Mike Deodato Jr.,and with a heartfelt forward message from Elton John, the desire for world-building beckoned to this powerhouse team. "Oz is way bigger than just the characters we already know. I loved the idea of exploring the corners Baum hinted at but never showed. As an artist, that gives me a whole new playground instead of drawing the same icons again and again," says Deodato Jr.
Dorothy holding Toto in front of the Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz
A New Chapter Begins
Don't Worry: Familiar friends will make a cameo
Bunn echoes these sentiments but is also reassuring in that iconic characters you know and love will also make requisite appearances. "This is the most faithful adaptation of the book you’ve ever experienced, and that means we are going to be introducing a ton of new faces. Don’t worry, the characters you know and love are there. There are just a bunch of new characters to get to know and love. What we get is an Oz that feels familiar but is not predictable. It gives readers the thrill of discovery, instead of the comfort of nostalgia alone," explains Bunn.
There will be cameos from the likes of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin Man, who play a role in the opening sequence of the story, but the focus will shift to the unknown—specifically to our hero Tip, who escapes the wrath of wicked witch Mombi in the Gillikin Country of Oz. His adventure is what the team feels is worthy of shining a spotlight on and whose story will appeal to longstanding and new fans. "Ultimately, the Oz stories are about people finding their place in the world or finding family. In this case, (our new protagonist) Tip discovers who he really is and, indeed, what his destiny is—with the help of some new friends," explains Axel Alonso, the Chief Creative Officer at AWA and editor of this new graphic novel.
Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost Lands comic bookAWA Studios
The Torch Is Passed From Dorothy To Tip
POV of Tip is a transformative journey through magical lands to uncover the truth about his origins and destiny
Ultimately, you'll want to root for Tip,"you'll experience Oz with fresh eyes. He’s a kid who’s lived his whole life on the margins of a magical kingdom. Through him, we get to see what Oz looks like to someone without power, privilege, or a famous last name. Tip’s fear, wonder, humor, insecurity, and resilience all give readers a grounded point of connection in a land where anything can happen. But Tip, unknowingly, is one of the most important characters in all of Oz. His choices actually matter—the future of this Oz hasn’t been written yet," Brunn teases.
For the team, it's also about honoring and respecting Baum. "This is not fan fiction. This is a new narrative of meticulously researched stories, put together with the input of several noted Oz historians, that honors Baum’s legacy," says Alonso. He adds that co-writer Larry King devoted 10 years to researching the material necessary to bring this story to life. "He was working in concert with noted Oz historians like Julie McNulty, Mike Bujnak, and the late Jay Duncan. When he and his business partner, famed Broadway producer Kevin McCollum, entertained the idea of launching this universe as a series of graphic novels and brought the material to AWA Studios, it was a no-brainer for us to get involved," explains Alonso.
new graphic novel Oz: The Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost LandsAWA Studios
The Whimsical, Weird, And Wacky World of L. Frank Baum Lives On In This New Oz Tale
Embrace the unknown and delve deeper into the Oz legend and lore
Ultimately, the ethos of Baum’s whimsical, imaginative, curiously odd, and boundary-pushing narratives is why Brunn says everyone needs Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost Lands in their life. "That blend of wonder and weirdness is something I’ve worked hard to preserve. Modern readers look for deeper character arcs, more complex emotional journeys, and worlds that feel lived-in rather than idealized. This version of Oz honors Baum by keeping the heart of his world intact—the sense that magic can be beautiful and unsettling at the same time—while updating the tone, scale, and thematic depth. It’s the Oz you remember… but it’s also the Oz you never got to see," he adds.
Wicked (Wicked: Part One) (2024) Film Poster
Wicked
Created by
Gregory Maguire, Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman
Upcoming Films
Wicked, Wicked: Part Two
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The Wizard of Oz
G
Adventure
Fantasy
Family
10/10
45
8.8/10
Release Date
August 25, 1939
Genres
Adventure, Fantasy, Family
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Wicked: For Good
PG
Drama
Fantasy
Romance
8/10
13
8.8/10
Release Date
November 21, 2025
Genres
Drama, Fantasy, Romance
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