In a new “Comic Creator Spotlight”, we looks at Mike Deodato’s take on the Fantastic Four, and his new book set in the Land of Oz, written by Cullen Bunn and Larry King, introduced by Elton John…
Brazilian artist Mike Deodato is well known for his work for a range of US publishers, including DC Comics (Wonder Woman), Marvel (such as Amazing Spider-man, The Mighty Thor, Thunderbolts; he’s also the co-creator of co-created Riri Williams, Ironheart, with Brian Michael Bendis).
Today, however, he’s deservedly better known for his creator-owned comics now being published at Artists, Writers & Artisans (AWA), run by former Marvel EIC Axel Alonso, starting The Resistance, co-created with screenwriter and producer J. Michael Straczynski, one of the four inaugural releases comprising a new shared universe within the publisher’s Upshot imprint.
Out this November is the absolutely stunning Ultimate Oz Universe: The Lost Lands, written by Cullen Bunn and Larry King.
“This is not fan fiction, this is the first of many meticulously researched and canon-faithful stories that show you Oz like you’ve never seen before,” says Axel Alonso of the new project adapting the stories subsequent to The Wizard of Oz written by Frank L. Baum, created in collaboration with Baum historians Jay Duncan, Julie McNulty and Mike Bujnak.
Mike’s style ranges from high energy drawings to a noir photorealism. His lifelong love for comics comes from his late father Mike Deodato Sr., a journalist, broadcaster, comic book artist and writer, who guided his son’s artistic growth.
While focused on his remarkable creator-owned work, Mike makes the occasional trip back to the characters he worked on in his early career, and as we close in on the arrival of The Fantastic Four: First Steps in cinemas next week, it’s no surprise, perhaps, that he’s shared a striking image of Marvel Comics first superheroes.
“Shadows are a vital part of my art,” he says of the image. “They give weight. They give mood. They give character to characters. They can express emotion without a single word — fear, tension, solitude, power.
“They shape the form of things.
“They can transform a calm, familiar place into something unsettling. They can turn light into drama.
The Fantastic Four are often seen as the bright side of Marvel — the first family, out in the open, living among us, identities unmasked. But here, I wanted to show their dark side.
“Not villains. But something deeper. Something brewing beneath their polished surface.
“Because even in the brightest families, shadows live.”
Head downthetubes for…
• The Official Mike Deodato Store | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | X
• For art sales, Mike Deodato is represented by Chiaroscuro Studios
• Mike Deodato Profile on Lambiek | Wikipedia
Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost Lands
Part of Ultimate Oz Universe
By Cullen Bunn and Larry King | Illustrated by Mike Deodato | Coloured by Ive Svorcina / Lettered by Steve Wands | Published by Artists, Writers & Artisans (AWA) | Out: 11th November 2025 ISBN: 978-1953165992 | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Explore the untold depths of Oz – a vast, immersive fantasy universe where beloved characters return, new heroes rise, and the magic is more powerful than ever.
With a heartfelt foreword from Elton John, this graphic novel marks a dazzling new step for the OZ universe.
In this captivating first volume, Tip embarks on a transformative journey through the Land of Oz, uncovering the truth about his origins and the magic within him. As he sets out on a wild adventure, he encounters both familiar faces – like the Tin Woodman – and new characters and locations like H.M. Wogglebug, T.E. and Fiddlestick Forest.
Through thrilling twists and unexpected revelations, Tip unravels the mystery of his birth and discovers his true identity and destiny. Steeped in rich lore and imaginative storytelling, this reimagined Oz adventure expands the universe L. Frank Baum created, blending nostalgia with fresh perspectives for fantasy lovers and longtime Oz fans alike.
Crafted by an all-star creative team, including bestselling comic writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Sixth Gun), acclaimed musician and producer Larry King, and legendary comic book artist Mike Deodato Jr. (Wonder Woman, The Amazing Spider-Man, Not All Robots), this bold new take on Oz brings the beloved world to life with stunning visuals and masterful storytelling…
• For more information visit AWA Studios on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and AWAStudios.com
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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