View source for Oz, Part Three

{{Noncanon}}
{{ComicIssue
|coverA    = Oz3.jpg
|released  = September 19, [[2001]]
|pages     = 22 
|series    = ''[[Oz (miniseries)|Oz]]''
|number    = 3
|previous  = ''[[Oz, Part Two]]''
|publisher = [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|writer    = [[Christopher Golden]]
|penciller = [[Logan Lubera]]<br>[[Valentine de Landro]]<br>[[Herb Apon]]
|editor    = [[Scott Allie]]
|coverart  = [[John Totleben]] with [[Dave Stewart]]
|inker     = [[Helen Bach]]
|colorist  = Helen Bach
|letterer  = [[Vickie Williams]]
}}

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the third and final issue of the ''[[Oz (miniseries)|Oz]]'' comic book miniseries. Written by [[Christopher Golden]] and illustrated by [[Logan Lubera]], it was originally published on September 19, [[2001]], by [[Dark Horse Comics]].

==Synopsis==
The Oz three-parter comes to its climactic conclusion as [[Daniel Osbourne|Oz]] and his new friends face off against a maniacal [[demon]] overlord and a horde of horrible [[hellhound]]s, hobgoblins, [[warlock|sorcerers]], [[troll]]s, and a bunch of other things so gross they don't even have names for 'em. Even the [[Slayer]], on her worst day, hasn't faced a force so frightful. This showdown could change Oz's life forever. Don't miss this action-packed turning point in the life of one of the [[Scooby Gang]]'s most beloved brethren.<ref>[https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/00-342/ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Oz #3 (of 3)."] ''[[Dark Horse Comics]]''. Retrieved on January 31, 2023.</ref>

==Summary==
Oz remembers his third night as a wolf — the night [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] subdued him with a tranquilizer gun — and the conversation he had with her following morning, her words: "[[Werewolf]]. But that's not all the time" reverberating.

Back in the present, Oz and [[Jinan]] are on their way to help [[Shantou]], who is being attacked by [[Muztag]]'s army. They realize there may be little they can do to help. Inside the monastery, Oz quickly prepares a potion. Outside, the two run into a small group of people, who explain their village was attacked by demons. Jinan asks for the people's help in destroying the demons that attacked, but there comes no response except from a number of nomads.

In Muztag's lair, Shantou is brought to Muztag's throne. In their conversation it is revealed Shantou nearly killed Muztag once, with the demon refraining from marauding the countryside out of fear of the monk.

Jinan shows the nomads her demon side, and explains not all beings called demon are evil. Taking off, Oz refuses a gun offered by a nomad, but does accept a knife. They attack a pair of demons standing guard, after which they make their way inside Muztag's lair, with Oz sniffing out the way to Shantou.

Inside, they are quickly spotted as intruders. In the ensuing fight, many of the nomads are killed, but Jinan is able to save Oz. They are confronted by Muztag, who disagrees with Oz when he says it was a bad idea coming here: Shantou has been captured, driven to his knees, his students made into slaves and now the ones who came to save will die.

Jinan urges Oz to transform, but he is unable to, saying it's not that simple. To show Oz how simple it really is, Shantou unexpectedly transforms into a werewolf and attacks Muztag's men. However, he is wrapped up by a snake-like demon and severely cut. Battling a demon himself, Oz calls for Jinan to help him but sees she too has been captured. Willow's words that he's not a werewolf all the time reverberate and Oz realizes they aren't true: there is no beast, only him. Oz transforms and rips the head off one of Muztag's men who was attacking Jinan, saving her.

Oz fights Muztag while Shantou reverts back to his [[human]] form. Oz tears into Muztag's throat, killing him. Jinan urges Oz to transform back, which he does.

Jinan and Oz kiss as he prepares to leave. Oz promises to not forget her. He thanks master Shantou and heads back home.

==Continuity==
*Oz remembers two conversations he had with Willow in the episode "[[Phases]]."
*Oz leaves back to [[Sunnydale]], hoping that Willow is still waiting for him. He'll discover she had moved on when he return in "[[New Moon Rising]]."

==Appearances==
===Individuals===
*[[Hauck]]
*[[Jinan]]
*[[Muztag]]
*[[Daniel Osbourne]]
*[[Shantou]]
*[[Willow Rosenberg]] {{FBO}}
===Species===
*[[Demon]]
**[[Kaohsiung demon]]
**[[Hellhound]] {{Om}}
*[[Human]]
**[[Werewolf]]
===Locations===
*[[Sunnydale]] {{FBO}}
**[[Sunnydale High School]] {{FBO}}
***[[Sunnydale High School library]] {{FBO}}
*Tibet
**Lhasa
***Shantou's monastery

==Death count==
*Hauck, beheaded by Shantou.
*Unidentified demon, mauled by Oz.

==Behind the scenes==
===Production===
*The photo cover features a promotional picture from [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 3|''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' season 3]].

===Distribution===
*''{{PAGENAME}}'' was the 133rd best selling comic issue in its publishing month, with 14,311 sales in September 2001 at comic specialty stores.<ref>[https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/698/ "Top 300 Comics--September."] ''ICv2'', September 11, 2001.</ref>

===Collections===
*''[[Oz (TPB)|Oz]]''
*''[[Omnibus, Volume 5]]''
*''[[Classic]] 34: Oz''

===Adaptations===
*The novel ''[[Oz: Into the Wild]]'' is an expanded adaptation of this story along with the entire ''Oz'' miniseries.

==Gallery==
===Covers===
<gallery captionalign="center">
Oz3.jpg|Main cover
Oz3-variant-cover.jpg|Photo cover
</gallery>
===Cover artwork===
<gallery captionalign="center">
Human Oz.jpg|Original picture
</gallery>

==References==
{{References}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Oz Part 3}}
[[Category:Non-canon articles]]
[[Category:Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics]]
[[Category:Dark Horse Classic]]

[[nl:Oz, Deel Drie]]