Tag Archives: wizard of wutz

Sorting Out Sorcery

One running theme in Glinda of Oz is that there are several different types of magic in Oz, all of which have their specialties, but none of them can do everything. L. Frank Baum contrasts the fairy magic of Ozma … Continue reading

Posted in Alchemy, Characters, Etymology, Games, Jack Snow, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Language, Magic, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Politics, Religion, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Technology, Theosophy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lovable and Not-So-Lovable Rogues

I’ve now read a few of the Best of the Baum Bugle volumes I just recently purchased, and there are some interesting articles in there, including some on the Nome King and L. Frank Baum’s other villains. I’ve already covered … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Eric Shanower, Focus on the Foes, Humor, Jack Snow, John R. Neill, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Oz, Oz Authors, Rachel Cosgrove Payes, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Perfectly Petrified

Writing about the legend that Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos was turned into a marble statue and buried near the Golden Gate of Constantinople got me thinking of the mentions of such statues in the Oz books. For some reason, L. … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Comics, Eric Shanower, L. Frank Baum, Magic, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Rachel Cosgrove Payes, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Unheard History of Oz

Two more Oz book reviews for you lucky readers today. Yes, I’m kind of surprised that there are still some I hadn’t yet read, too. The Tales of Yot, by Adam Nicolai – A collection of three short stories that … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Characters, Jack Snow, Jared Davis, L. Frank Baum, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Pauper, on the Other Hand, Is Ruling, Strong and Wise

In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s three companions all end up as rulers: the Scarecrow of the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman of the Winkie Country, and the Cowardly Lion of the Quadling Forest. In later books, only Nick … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Eloise Jarvis McGraw, L. Frank Baum, Onyx Madden/Jim Nitch, Oz, Oz Authors, Places, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nome Invasions

I’ve already discussed the constant invasion attempts of the former Nome King, but this time I’d like to take a closer look at the individual attempts. The first occurs in The Emerald City of Oz, in which King Roquat’s goal … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Magic Items, Oz | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Emerald Security

Even though Ozma has a Magic Picture that she can technically use to spy on anyone at any time, her palace and capital don’t appear to have much in the way of security. The Magic of Oz describes the royal … Continue reading

Posted in Oz | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Wutz the Deal with This Wizard?

The idea of villains wanting to conquer Oz is pretty much a cliché at this point. While it’s largely apocryphal Oz stories in which this plot device is overused, there is precedent for it in the Famous Forty. Would-be conquerors … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Oz | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Mandy, Merry Maiden of Mount Mern

Today, I’m going to feature another personal favorite Oz character, Handy Mandy from the book that bears her name. She’s a fun character, impulsive but also quick-thinking when necessary, with a distinct speech pattern. Oh, and she also has seven … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Oz | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments