News For 2010-09-09

And now, for our second installment of...

What The Hell Is John Reading Now?

Just hours after posting the last comic, I polished off "The Lost Princess of Oz." While a fun enough ride, I find it a prime example of squandered potential. The first few chapters are great, setting what up what appears to be a mystery with all the classic makings of a good detective story. An impossible crime is commited, and no clues are left behind. Thus, an investigation must take place!

Sadly, Baum screws the pooch and ignores the trappings of a mystery novel. He instead just sets off his characters on yet another dull road trip that often makes absolutely no sense. The mystery, such as it is, is only later solved by luck and coincidence.

It has several moments I enjoy, however. The Frogman is one of my favorite characters in Oz, especially after he's become humble. I can't really say WHY. I just like him. And there are nods to previous events that, frankly, shocked me, since Baum is usually so cavalier about continuity. Among the references to past books, the highlight is probably when the Wizard briefly asks Trot about her ring, which she notes was given to her by the mermaids. This is odd if only because the story she got the ring in wasn't even an Oz book! I've got a feeling that, around this time period, Baum suddenly had tons of free time to just write and - in the process - he went back and read his old books. Thus, continuity is straightened out a bit and more subtle references to past events start showing up.

As a villain, Ugu the Shoemaker also has tons of potential, but that potential was as squandered as the book's premise. He's a villain that doesn't consider himself evil, which doesn't sound all the special until you realize that most of Baum's bad guys are fully aware of just how evil they are. Ugu honestly believes he's doing the right thing, and that could make him very interesting. It's too bad he's written off almost as quickly as he's introduced. And, to add insult to injury, Baum even has him reform at the end and ask forgiveness, which is roughly akin to killing off the Joker in the first Batman movie. What to blow the wad on that one, Baum. I would've loved to see Ugu return in a later book as a demented white dove looking for revenge. Oh well.

I'm starting to run out of Baum Oz books to read. I'm almost done with "Tin Woodsman" right now. I'll probably rant about it on Monday.