Return to Labyrinth Volume 1 (v. 1)
by Jake T. Forbes, Chris Lie
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Book Summary Information
Author: Chris Lie, Jake T. ForbesEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-08-08
ISBN: 1598167251
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: TokyoPop
Book Reviews of Return to Labyrinth Volume 1 (v. 1)
Book Review: Thoughts from a lover of stories
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoy reading reviews on Amazon and find myself most intrigued by those books and movies with a mixed response. This one in particular caught my eye. I went to Border's, sat in the corner and read it (as I usually do with graphic novels) and immediately bought it for my personal library knowing that I'll certainly read it again. Let me tell you why.
I am firmly against what you might call "story purism". Some people will get hung up on the idea that a story must be kept exactly as it is, like a butterfly pinned in a display case. But stories, I believe, are meant to be screwed with, to be reinterpreted, rewritten, rethought. No two storytellers are exactly alike, because no two people see anything in exactly the same way, and if a story is allowed to evolve and grow with each new person adding something unique to it, then it is able to become immortal. A space-age Cinderella is still Cinderella, no matter how many androids or laser blasters end up in the tale. Immortal stories are mutable stories.
Most of the people who didn't like this story seem to have gone into it with a very specific idea of what a "Labyrinth" sequel "should be". There's nothing specifically wrong with this, but it does prevent you from objectively viewing what could turn out to be a good story.
No one is Jim Hensen but Jim Hensen, and I didn't expect this book to feel like Jim Hensen. However, I was surprised that it DOES feel like the Labyrinth universe, if you could call it that. And it's actually a very smartly written story. I couldn't find a single thing in it that other reviewers didn't like that couldn't have been explained away by some kind of foreshadowing or plot device worked in my Mr. Lie. (I will admit that I didn't like the "I won't peek" line either. It made me feel awkward. But . . .)
First of all, fans who are adamant that a "Labyrinth" sequel MUST involve Sarah and lots of Sarah and Jareth "getting it on" will be sorely disappointed. But there are little hints that indicate Jareth IS still in love with Sarah, and the subtlety of it makes it feel more genuine. Sarah isn't around much (and, come on, it's only the first book of four. I'd be very surprised if she didn't show up later, if only to show Hoggle and the others that she still cares for them, which I believe she does), but the little bit we do see of her indicates that she's now an adult as opposed to the teenager she was in the movie. She seems to still believe in fantasy but has had to grow up and face real life (as everyone eventually does). It's refreshing to see this development in her. It gives her the potential for greater things. (P.S Sarah isn't brushing Toby off when she tells him to do things for himself. If you read back you can see she's responding to Toby's wish that everyone would leave him alone that Jareth grants in a fit of indignation.)
Why does Jareth pick Toby? Who knows? But it doesn't seem to be random. If anything, it seems that Jareth is facing some kind of outside threat (in the form of the woman called the Queen of Cups) and is executing some kind of plot to beat her to the punch by abdicating and appointing an heir of his choice. This sounds exactly like something the Jareth I know would do. Maybe he just picked Toby because he happened to be conveniently available (and maybe magically touched in some way by his experience as a baby). Once again, it's only the first book. Don't jump to conclusions. We haven't heard the whole story yet.
You won't like this story if you have preconcieved notions. If you do, then you probably won't be happy with ANYTHING that doesn't fit those notions. But this is Mr. Lie's interpretation, and storytellers should be true to themselves if they're not going to write crap. I don't see this as a fanfiction. The man has experience and a clear love of the original story. Those who would see it as a fanfiction (throwing the term around like an insult) are those same territorial fans who see anyone else's views as concretely wrong.
It's a good story and you feel like the world of the Labyrinth has been deepened, allowing you to see more facets of the jewel. Let the story stand for itself, not for Jim Hensen's vision or your own. It is it's own interpretation and should be approached as such. If you do, then it becomes a fun way to see the continued story. I always believed there was more when I saw Jareth in his owl form fly off at the end of the movie. Now someone has risen to the challenge, and done a fair job of it. It's a clever and sensible way to continue the story, and that's why I don't think it feels "fanfiction-y". I think you should give it the benefit of the doubt. I did, and I loved it.
One final note. I'm not a manga reader. I like my Japanese-style stories on the screen as opposed to the page. I'm not qualified to address those who claim this is "bad manga". Personally, I like all kinds of comic styles and wasn't put off by the art. I think it would've been fine in any style.
Summary of Return to Labyrinth Volume 1 (v. 1)
After having survived his initial visit, Toby has returned home and has grown up. As he has grown he has noticed that many things have come very easily to him, even when under pressure. Little does he know that Jareth, the Goblin King, has been lookingGraphic Novels Books
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