Spot illustration #7 for the Oz-Squad.com and Skookworks.com header designs.

As a kid, of Dorothy’s first four Oz companions, I liked the Lion the best. I think that’s partly because he got the least story time in any of the Oz sequels. I couldn’t get tired of him. He doesn’t get a lot of respect. Not even from his creator. He didn’t even appear in the second book. He mostly just appears as flavor in later books. He didn’t get a book named after him until the 16th sequel (and Baum was dead). He’s depicted as a guy in lion suit in That Movie. And don’t get me started on A Lion Among Men.

Imagine my delight at the pagetime he gets in March of the Tin Soldiers. As well as decent explanation of why he isn’t along on all the adventures. Thank you Steve!