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Jim Henson's Labyrinth (Archaia)
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation, Vol. 1
The untold origin of the Goblin King from Jim Henson’s cult-classic film, Labyrinth.
Long before Sarah ventured to save her baby brother from the clutches of the Goblin King, another young woman sought to save her child from an unknown fate within the Labyrinth. Set in 18th-century Venice, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation is a striking look into the mysteries of the Labyrinth itself, uncovering the fate of a small boy named Jareth who would one day be King.
Simon Spurrier (The Spire, Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal) and Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Dragons, Big Trouble in Little China/Escape from New York) present a look into a magical world where nothing is as it seems and introduce Maria, a heroine instilled with courage, hope, and determination.
Collects issues #1-4
Long before Sarah ventured to save her baby brother from the clutches of the Goblin King, another young woman sought to save her child from an unknown fate within the Labyrinth. Set in 18th-century Venice, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation is a striking look into the mysteries of the Labyrinth itself, uncovering the fate of a small boy named Jareth who would one day be King.
Simon Spurrier (The Spire, Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal) and Daniel Bayliss (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Dragons, Big Trouble in Little China/Escape from New York) present a look into a magical world where nothing is as it seems and introduce Maria, a heroine instilled with courage, hope, and determination.
Collects issues #1-4
112 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2018
18 people are currently reading
1579 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
May 5, 2020
Art - 2 stars
Story - 3 stars
It has not a good art, but the story kept my attention.
A prequel of Labyrinth, with the story of Jareth (hell yeah) but it fell short some how despise the good memories.
A noble man in 1797 in Venice abandon his lover and child. He have nightmares about monsters and wish for his problems to disappear... The mother is not about to let her baby behind.
The story is similar and somehow lacks the charm, is more oscure too.
But I will look for the next volumen-
Mientras cuenta la historia del noble en Venecia que abandona a su amante y su hijo, transcurre en forma paralela la historia de Sarah en el Laberinto.
Story - 3 stars
It has not a good art, but the story kept my attention.
A prequel of Labyrinth, with the story of Jareth (hell yeah) but it fell short some how despise the good memories.
A noble man in 1797 in Venice abandon his lover and child. He have nightmares about monsters and wish for his problems to disappear... The mother is not about to let her baby behind.
The story is similar and somehow lacks the charm, is more oscure too.
But I will look for the next volumen-
Mientras cuenta la historia del noble en Venecia que abandona a su amante y su hijo, transcurre en forma paralela la historia de Sarah en el Laberinto.
December 10, 2018
4.5/5
LOVED THIS!! Finally a backstory on Jareth. Can’t wait for the next installment! Anyone know when it’s coming out??
LOVED THIS!! Finally a backstory on Jareth. Can’t wait for the next installment! Anyone know when it’s coming out??
February 12, 2024
This was phenomenal!!!! I'm honestly shocked how well this built upon the story from the film!
November 10, 2018
By the time learned of this series 8 issues were in print. Volume One contains the first 4 issues. After adding it to my subscription box at my comic shop I naturally went home with Volume One and subsequent single issues.
I love the idea of learning more about the Goblin King. I can’t say any more than that without giving spoilers. What I will say is that I really enjoyed the art work and the writing. I look forward to diving into the four single issues that I currently have.
I love the idea of learning more about the Goblin King. I can’t say any more than that without giving spoilers. What I will say is that I really enjoyed the art work and the writing. I look forward to diving into the four single issues that I currently have.
April 26, 2022
The movie is pretty cool, but this is much better, awesome art.
November 20, 2020
Holy cannoli. When I first picked up this series, I was worried it might ruin my childhood. And while it did not do that, it didn’t make it any better.
This is a story within a story. Most people picking up this read are children of Bowie who dreamed of joining him in the labyrinth as a goblin, or a Sarah to take their place beside Jareth as queen of the Underworld. The books pick up as Sarah enters the labyrinth to rescue Toby. One of the goblins who is tasked with caring for Toby decides to tell a story. A story of the great owl Goblin King and quest for a successor.
This story is quite different from the original Labyrinth story but feels very repetitive. Plus, you get now and then pages, and the now pages paint Jareth as an a$$hole. I don’t like him at all. In the movie he seems sexy, mesmerizing. Even to adult eyes 30 years later, I see the problems with the movie, but I fall under Jareth’s spell every time. Magic Dance is my bad day song. It can get me dancing and smiling every time. But in the print story Jareth is mean. You see some of it in how Jareth treats Hogle in the movie, but it is made 10x worse in the story for the goblin.
A baby has been taken by the Goblin King because the rich aristocratic father is afraid of the grandfather taking away his easy lazy life. But mom, a farmer barmaid will do anything for her son, including entering the labyrinth to bring back the stolen child. Her adventures in the Labyrinth are completely different than Sarah’s which is nice. And they are not as fun inducing. There are som new characters I really like, and others that are not bad, but they will never be Hoggle, Sir Diddimus, and Luto.
To be honest these stories were nice, but not great. I was left feeling ehhhh. Especially how book 3 ended. It was just a “what the heck” moment that just didn’t sit well. It didn’t retain the magic and the happy thoughts, and the realization of growing older and growing from a kid to an adult like the movie did. I used to think the graphic novel Return the the Labyrinth was ehh, but I can honestly say I liked those more than I liked them.
This is a story within a story. Most people picking up this read are children of Bowie who dreamed of joining him in the labyrinth as a goblin, or a Sarah to take their place beside Jareth as queen of the Underworld. The books pick up as Sarah enters the labyrinth to rescue Toby. One of the goblins who is tasked with caring for Toby decides to tell a story. A story of the great owl Goblin King and quest for a successor.
This story is quite different from the original Labyrinth story but feels very repetitive. Plus, you get now and then pages, and the now pages paint Jareth as an a$$hole. I don’t like him at all. In the movie he seems sexy, mesmerizing. Even to adult eyes 30 years later, I see the problems with the movie, but I fall under Jareth’s spell every time. Magic Dance is my bad day song. It can get me dancing and smiling every time. But in the print story Jareth is mean. You see some of it in how Jareth treats Hogle in the movie, but it is made 10x worse in the story for the goblin.
A baby has been taken by the Goblin King because the rich aristocratic father is afraid of the grandfather taking away his easy lazy life. But mom, a farmer barmaid will do anything for her son, including entering the labyrinth to bring back the stolen child. Her adventures in the Labyrinth are completely different than Sarah’s which is nice. And they are not as fun inducing. There are som new characters I really like, and others that are not bad, but they will never be Hoggle, Sir Diddimus, and Luto.
To be honest these stories were nice, but not great. I was left feeling ehhhh. Especially how book 3 ended. It was just a “what the heck” moment that just didn’t sit well. It didn’t retain the magic and the happy thoughts, and the realization of growing older and growing from a kid to an adult like the movie did. I used to think the graphic novel Return the the Labyrinth was ehh, but I can honestly say I liked those more than I liked them.
May 6, 2019
Jareth's origin story. Kind of. The drawing is just stunning and the story is so good that I preordered volumes 2 and 3 as soon as I finished this 👍🏻 OMG all those beautiful illustrations of David Bowie in goblin king mode Jareth... Have I ever mentioned that to me Labyrinth is the cusp of 80s perfection??? ❤❤
January 26, 2023
This was interesting, I liked the prequel story being told through the familiar events from the movie. There are a couple of sections that don't make sense, but it kind of goes with the story over all.
The creature illustration is amazing and the human illustration is interesting through various angles.
4.5 stars
The creature illustration is amazing and the human illustration is interesting through various angles.
4.5 stars
June 14, 2020
Really loved this, which cuts from scenes of Sarah in the labyrinth to Jareth's backstory, as he tells it to little Toby. The art looks like elegant storyboards from the movie, and the storyline is very much in keeping with the spirit of the original.
May 3, 2020
three stars ∗ gah i loved being back in the labyrinth! this was much more intriguing than i imagined, and after that ending i’m gonna have to pick up the next installment!
April 9, 2020
CAWPILE rating: 4.57/10
STAR rating: ★★½
I think this is very much a case of 'this isn't necessarily objectively bad, I just don't like it all that much' to be honest. Not a huge fan of the backstory they've given Jareth, though the Owl King is cool and I enjoyed seeing the labyrinth arrange itself for someone else.
STAR rating: ★★½
I think this is very much a case of 'this isn't necessarily objectively bad, I just don't like it all that much' to be honest. Not a huge fan of the backstory they've given Jareth, though the Owl King is cool and I enjoyed seeing the labyrinth arrange itself for someone else.
July 14, 2019
I never thought I would write that I legitimately enjoyed a Labyrinth spin-off/prequel graphic novel, and yet here I stand. I really enjoyed this book a lot, and it developed a universe that, up until now, I never would have considered possessed much in the way of depth. Simon Spurrier has written a solid book and has expanded the back-story of the Goblin King and his universe.
This book is definitely worth your read if you enjoy Jim Henson's universe, or if you simply loved the world he helped create. And it's a testament to Spurrier as a writer that he's able to take this world and make it feel new and entirely his own.
This book is definitely worth your read if you enjoy Jim Henson's universe, or if you simply loved the world he helped create. And it's a testament to Spurrier as a writer that he's able to take this world and make it feel new and entirely his own.
March 1, 2021
A beautiful prequel to the Labyrinth movie!! Well prequel kinda since this is happening both during the movie and in the past. Super interesting history of Jareth!! It’s weird because we know she’s destined to fail as Jareth becomes the goblin king, but I’m curious how this plays out.
A great start to a series and I need the second right now!
Edit: Read volume 2 and now I need 3!! So good and the twist?! Awesome.
A great start to a series and I need the second right now!
Edit: Read volume 2 and now I need 3!! So good and the twist?! Awesome.
January 10, 2021
Thought this was a great and lovingly-made retelling of the Labyrinth!
I love the way the backstory of Jareth is interwoven with scenes we know and love from the movie.
The artistry is gorgeous. The only disconcerting thing for me is Jareth does not resemble David Bowie in the slightest, while Sarah and all other characters we have met before look spot-on.
Can’t wait to continue on!
I love the way the backstory of Jareth is interwoven with scenes we know and love from the movie.
The artistry is gorgeous. The only disconcerting thing for me is Jareth does not resemble David Bowie in the slightest, while Sarah and all other characters we have met before look spot-on.
Can’t wait to continue on!
May 15, 2019
This was fun! I really liked beginning of Jareth's backstory, and I cannot wait to read volume 2. I also really liked that the art was recognizably characters from The Labyrinth, but the artist wasn't trying to be hyper-realistic in his depictions.
March 23, 2024
Leaving this review on all three volumes!
What a lovely little series. Some great characters, more information the Labyrinth, and a touching conclusion - with gorgeous art.
I do have a minor quibble with trying to but it's not enough to really take away my overall enjoyment of the series.
If you're a big fan of the movie definitely check these out!
What a lovely little series. Some great characters, more information the Labyrinth, and a touching conclusion - with gorgeous art.
I do have a minor quibble with trying to but it's not enough to really take away my overall enjoyment of the series.
If you're a big fan of the movie definitely check these out!
May 30, 2019
Fantastic. A worthy origin story so far.
February 3, 2019
💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
January 19, 2021
So I don't know what I was expecting but this graphic novel series shows two storylines side by side - what we know happened in the movie with Jareth and Sarah and an eerily similar storyline that takes place nearly two centuries prior starting in Venice, Italy. A young woman is bound and determined to save her baby from the Owl King after her cowardly husband offered up their baby to the demons in her head. The Owl King is looking for a successor and thinks letting Maria into his labyrinth to search for her baby might provide amusement to his goblin subjects before the new successor takes the throne. Only he doesn't count on Maria being so quick-witted and determined on getting her baby back. The storyline is a little so so - but the artwork is top notch!
January 30, 2020
A good deal better than it probably ought to be. I deeply appreciate Spurrier rebuilding the Labyrinth from scratch. There are hints and subtle callbacks and inspirations, but it's still very much its own thing.
January 19, 2023
The Labyrinth is one of those character-defining movies for me. I communicate through quotes and random outbursts of song from this film. When I saw a graphic novel of a Goblin King backstory, I immediately put back my other book I had planned on reading that day. I was worried this would be just a novelty riding on your previous love of the movie to find it any good, but I was pleasantly met with it being honestly very food on its own! The dialogue flows just like in the movie in its unique quirks of each character, Jareth failing to get any of the goblins' names right, living in his own self-important fantasies- bending the truth to only his benefit. The goblins themselves are charming and ridiculous, once again, just like in the movie. They are full of that famous Jim Henson heart that makes it absolutely impossible to hate any one of them.
From the goblin who wants to be a thief and outlaw, but is "cursed with a noble heart", to the silly mosaic tile creature that randomly pops up around the labrynth at the perfectly inconventient time to be the recipient of some offensive comment and leave insulted, no character was left without pizazz.
The art is splendid! Literally my only comment was that this takes place in 1797, in the Regency Era, but the characters are dressed more like 1760s Robe à la Française, 30 years out of style when she should have been dressed more like a Jane Austen character with a high empire waist. She WAS at a masquerade ball after having been posing as a countess while really being a tavern girl, so maybe she was just wearing a costume, but that was not addressed. I'm a stickler for historical fashion and this is literally my only complaint. Mr Jareth's Dad was very hot.
I really loved seeing Jareth go in-between insulting the goblins while telling the story of how he came to the Labyrinth and how his feisty mother tried to save him, all while fussing and obsessing over how "inadequate" Sarah is and putting on his little costumes to go out and bother her. It was very funny and I laughed every time he left to go do something we see in the movie.
From the goblin who wants to be a thief and outlaw, but is "cursed with a noble heart", to the silly mosaic tile creature that randomly pops up around the labrynth at the perfectly inconventient time to be the recipient of some offensive comment and leave insulted, no character was left without pizazz.
The art is splendid! Literally my only comment was that this takes place in 1797, in the Regency Era, but the characters are dressed more like 1760s Robe à la Française, 30 years out of style when she should have been dressed more like a Jane Austen character with a high empire waist. She WAS at a masquerade ball after having been posing as a countess while really being a tavern girl, so maybe she was just wearing a costume, but that was not addressed. I'm a stickler for historical fashion and this is literally my only complaint. Mr Jareth's Dad was very hot.
I really loved seeing Jareth go in-between insulting the goblins while telling the story of how he came to the Labyrinth and how his feisty mother tried to save him, all while fussing and obsessing over how "inadequate" Sarah is and putting on his little costumes to go out and bother her. It was very funny and I laughed every time he left to go do something we see in the movie.
July 22, 2019
Two stars seems harsh, but I don't mean it that way with this one. I do want to keep reading the series!
I wasn't super impressed with the art, but it works. The story is goofy, but I guess so was the movie! It seems pretty simplistic.
Either way, this wasn't awe-inspiring or anything but I will keep reading to see what happens!
Summary for my reference:
I wasn't super impressed with the art, but it works. The story is goofy, but I guess so was the movie! It seems pretty simplistic.
Either way, this wasn't awe-inspiring or anything but I will keep reading to see what happens!
Summary for my reference:
January 2, 2025
I collected these individual issues and remember liking the story but did feel like it'd work better as a cohesive tale instead of the individual issues where only bits happened.
This is kind of a prequel for the Labyrinth, and in that fashion leaves lots of layers and mystery. While Sarah navigates the labyrinth, Jareth tells the story of another young woman who is desperately trying to save a baby from the clutches of the Old Goblin King; a mother who lost her baby to the goblins' clutches due to her lover's treachery.
This is just the start of Maria's adventure and a lot of her charactersitics are shown based on the story Jareth is spinning and how he truly spins the narrative to Toby as her being fearless when she's not; she cries a lot and is slow on the uptake of the Labyrinth. The lore of how the Labyrinth is formed and why it's changing was fascinating and I'm so intrigued on the scary Old Owl King prior to Jareth. I know from my previous read through that we've just skimmed the surface of the colorful characters that accompany Maria on this journey.
This is kind of a prequel for the Labyrinth, and in that fashion leaves lots of layers and mystery. While Sarah navigates the labyrinth, Jareth tells the story of another young woman who is desperately trying to save a baby from the clutches of the Old Goblin King; a mother who lost her baby to the goblins' clutches due to her lover's treachery.
This is just the start of Maria's adventure and a lot of her charactersitics are shown based on the story Jareth is spinning and how he truly spins the narrative to Toby as her being fearless when she's not; she cries a lot and is slow on the uptake of the Labyrinth. The lore of how the Labyrinth is formed and why it's changing was fascinating and I'm so intrigued on the scary Old Owl King prior to Jareth. I know from my previous read through that we've just skimmed the surface of the colorful characters that accompany Maria on this journey.
May 28, 2024
I grew up with the Labyrinth. I still watch it. I am planning a full leg sleeve. Am I a fan? Naaah...
I really enjoyed learning Jareth's backstory. It's an interesting take. Looking into the mysteries the labyrinth holds, and maybe even that Jareth was once the little brother that remained in Goblin City because he wasn't rescued in time. This means Sarah may not have been the first to attempt solving the labyrinth.
I wasn't as much of a fan in terms of the artwork. Which is why I only gave Coronation four stars. It's not horrible. I'm just not vibing with it.
If you are a fan, Coronation is definitely worth a read.
I really enjoyed learning Jareth's backstory. It's an interesting take. Looking into the mysteries the labyrinth holds, and maybe even that Jareth was once the little brother that remained in Goblin City because he wasn't rescued in time. This means Sarah may not have been the first to attempt solving the labyrinth.
I wasn't as much of a fan in terms of the artwork. Which is why I only gave Coronation four stars. It's not horrible. I'm just not vibing with it.
If you are a fan, Coronation is definitely worth a read.
March 17, 2019
A strong 4.5 stars
It's not the original Labyrinth of course. It's the story of how Jareth came to be the goblin king. Labyrinth has been one if my favourite films since I first saw it (aged 8, I think?) Since then I have had a fascination for Erlkonig and Tam Lynn retellings. This was a great addition to Labyrinth canon and I can't wait to read volume too. Gorgeous artwork abd all the quirky humour and weirdness of the film. Highly recommend.
It's not the original Labyrinth of course. It's the story of how Jareth came to be the goblin king. Labyrinth has been one if my favourite films since I first saw it (aged 8, I think?) Since then I have had a fascination for Erlkonig and Tam Lynn retellings. This was a great addition to Labyrinth canon and I can't wait to read volume too. Gorgeous artwork abd all the quirky humour and weirdness of the film. Highly recommend.
October 31, 2021
Jako malá jsem milovala film Labyrint z roku 1986, zbožňovala jsem ten příběh, kouzla a písně Davida Bowieho v roli krále skřítků. Jakou radost jsem měla, když se mi do rukou dostal komiksový příběh z téhož světa, který vypráví o tajemném původu krále skřítků.
Kresba se na první pohled může zdát poněkud dětská, ale při důkladném prozkoumání se v ní skrývají detaily, jež zaujmou leckterého dospělého. Komiks má přes 300 stran a klidně bych uvítala i více, protože bylo velice těžké se od knihy odtrhnout, a ráda bych poznala další tajemná zákoutí Labyrintu.
Knihu rozhodně doporučuji všemi deseti, má totiž v sobě vše, co je třeba k uspokojení čtenáře - lásku, zradu, odvahu, napětí, magické bytosti, krásnou a nápaditou kresbu, díky níž se na stránkách knihy skutečně odehrávají kouzla.
Více v recenzi zde: https://recenzarium.webnode.cz/l/laby...
Kresba se na první pohled může zdát poněkud dětská, ale při důkladném prozkoumání se v ní skrývají detaily, jež zaujmou leckterého dospělého. Komiks má přes 300 stran a klidně bych uvítala i více, protože bylo velice těžké se od knihy odtrhnout, a ráda bych poznala další tajemná zákoutí Labyrintu.
Knihu rozhodně doporučuji všemi deseti, má totiž v sobě vše, co je třeba k uspokojení čtenáře - lásku, zradu, odvahu, napětí, magické bytosti, krásnou a nápaditou kresbu, díky níž se na stránkách knihy skutečně odehrávají kouzla.
Více v recenzi zde: https://recenzarium.webnode.cz/l/laby...
December 1, 2018
The artwork is amazing!!! The story is okay, but the artwork is stunning!!!!
March 5, 2019
I didn't even know there was a new comic about Labyrinth. I love Labyrinth and have to read/watch anything/everything about it. I am delighted by this and the art is angular and strange and lovely. I am enjoying the story and the humor still gets me.
May 28, 2019
Want to know Jareth’s backstory? Start here.
February 3, 2021
I've always wanted to know more about Jareth's backstory and this comic seems accurate and believable to the film as well as having beautiful art. I'll definitely be getting the others
Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews