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by LargeMarge67 on 02.20.12  In the world of comic books, taking stories from classic literature and reimagining them is not unheard of but there seems to be a trend developing as of late. Peter Panzerfaust, from Image Comics, takes the Peter Pan legend and changes the setting to France during World War II, which ups the stakes and, surprisingly, works extremely well. The book is firmly grounded in grim reality but there is a sense of whimsy present that connects with the source material and allows fans of the original to enjoy it on multiple levels. There is a fine line between success and failure in such endeavors, as striking that perfect balance of homage and originality can be daunting. No Place Like Home, also from Image, takes a stab at The Wizard of Oz but with mixed results.
 First off, the artwork is fantastic. Bluish tones are used throughout to set a somber tone and, combined with some great shadowing, give each panel a sense of foreboding. The images are crisp and highly detailed, which is another feature that gives this book appeal.
On the story front, we are immediately introduced to Dee, a young woman who has returned to her hometown of Emeraldsville, Kansas after pursuing a writing career in Los Angeles. She has come home to bury her parents, who were killed by a tornado that ripped through their farm, and begins to discover that something sinister may be happening in the town of her birth.
 The plot of No Place Like Home was interesting at first but then, around midway through the book, I became irritated. Subtle clues are provided as to what really happened to Dee’s parents but nothing concrete enough to help me formulate some theories of my own. I reached the last page and felt confused and disappointed, which does not compel me to read future issues. By the way, the sixteen pages it took me to get there were a chore to read, as they were filled with idle chatter that did not move the narrative forward. I will give the writer credit for tackling such a well-known work and attempting to give it a darker edge but the execution should have been much better.
 No Place Like Home deserves some attention based solely on its art but would I recommend adding it to your stack? Definitely not. With so many titles on the market that have ingenious plots and perfect pacing, wasting time and money on this one seems ridiculous. ‘Nuff said…
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