Return to Labyrinth Volume 1 (v. 1) by Jake T. Forbes, Chris Lie
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Book Reviews of Return to Labyrinth Volume 1 (v. 1)
Book Review: Good Book Overall
Summary: 4 Stars
Although this book isn't as good as the original Labyrinth movie, the author stayed true to the original characters for the most part. The illustration are good, especially the goblin castle. For those who liked seeing the different parts of the labyrinth, you will probably be disappointed. This book mostly focuses on the relationship Toby has with Jareth.Book Review: Nice for fans of the movie
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, I only got interested in this book because I'd seen the movie recently.
Although I quite liked the plot, the cover illustration is of much better quality than the contents. Wish it would've been done better. Jareth deserved it ^___^
I'd advise it to those who've already seen the movie, not the other way round.
Book Review: If you like manga, not if you like Labyrinth.
Summary: 3 Stars
If your idea is to fall into the magical and all enveloping multi-dimensional, psychologically complex and emotionally evocative world created by the dream team of Jim Henson, Brian Froud, Terry Jones, David Bowie, Trevor Jones, George Lucas, Jennifer Connelly, juggler Michael Moschen, Gates McFadden, Danny Jon-Jules, and a thousand other brilliant and imaginative artists and film makers who created the world and story of Labyrinth, do not buy this book. You will be disappointed.
There is no way you could be otherwise. Unless the continuation was written by Terry Jones, illustrated by Brian Froud, enlarged by the brilliant team of Henson's creature shop and came with a CD soundtrack by Bowie and Trevor Jones, (preferably with a complex dance sequence choreographed here and there, some in depth falconry, cutting edge [remember this was the eighties] effects, and a contact juggler) there is no way any book could possibly compare. Any one of the above names can, and have, individually drawn gasps of awe from thousands of fans, created brilliant pieces of art, and many of them have changed, in their own small ways, the course of the world.Or at least their own artistic corner of it.
As your average, run-of-the-mill mind-candy manga to read in the tub after a hard day, this is a perfectly legitimate buy.
Do not expect the brilliance of a half dozen world changing visionaries.
Expect a pleasant yarn sketched out by a guy in a back room.
Do not expect your world view to be changed.
Expect reasonable comic art.
Do not expect an epic, accessible, multi-cultural journey with mythic overtones.
Expect that this was done by a guy who wanted to make money.
The inherent problem in creating a continuation of a brilliant and epic piece of work like Labyrinth is that it can never compare. Labyrinth was a distillation of the best of All That Is Good In The World. It holds seeds of the best of film making savvy, British humor, mechanical and computer technology, child psychology, acting ability, choreography, falconry, modern and historical artwork, jewelry, costume, scenery, juggling, mime, modern music and ancient myth. It's singular creators searched for, and got, the best in all of those fields. It would take as many years and as many brilliant people to create a comic book even half so good.
However, if it is understood that this reasonable artist/writer combination is riding the wave if genius, gently sprinkling our minds with the reminders of our modern mythology, than their failings can be forgiven.
For those of you who grew up with Labyrinth, fell in love with David Bowie, aspired to gain Sarah's strength and vitality, altered your wardrobe, scattered gargoyles throughout your bedroom, learned to play the keyboard, named your dog Ludo or emptied your bank account purchasing Froud artwork, this book will be a disappointment if you expect the same life-changing twist to your core being.
However, if you are willing to put the greatness of Labyrinth on a shelf in lonely splendor (with possibly Dark Crystal or Lord of the Rings,) it would be perfectly possible to enjoy these Return books on their own merits. If you enjoy reading and looking at fantasy manga, pick the book up. If you are curious as to how the movie influenced someone else, pick the book up. If you never really loved the movie with the depth and zeal of some of its followers, you probably won't mind this book either, and can marry them seamlessly.
In other words, don't blame the poor innocent, perfectly ordinary manga for the brilliance and artistry of its magnificent namesake.
Book Review: Shakey start, don't let it put you off yet
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm writing this after reading the second graphic novel, so I'll start by saying don't let the first put you off!
The story, as others have stated, is about Toby, the half-brother of Sarah that she had to go into the Labyrinth to save after wishing him away in frustration one night. Thirteen years have passed and Toby is now in high school. However, life is a bit weird for him. You've read the other reviews and the blurb, so I'll spare you the repeat.
Now the plus side are there are many references to various Jim Henson productions - Labyrinth (of course), Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and others. You'll see some old characters and some new ones, everyone from Hoggle to the odd girl Moppet. Many of the goblins are very well done and look like drawn versions of Muppets.
Now the sides everyone has already griped about. The art seemed rushed, and while some manga styles might have an incomplete look that is somewhat whimsical and artistic (such as, say, the Sailor Moon manga), this just feels like someone drew up a bunch of story boards in a rush, did a little bit of shading, added dialog, and slapped it together. This could have been the fault of anyone in the line ahead of the artist: Jim Henson's company, Tokyo Pop, the writer, etc. It could also signify an artist switch that caused them to scrap anything done previously and grab a new artist. Who knows? There was also a lot of complaints about how Sarah appeared briefly, as in the way she looked. But then again, she had just got off work and so that could be the excuse. The next novel will fix that, no worries.
Also, another reminder again, once again: the cover art is NOT done by the manga artist for the rest of the comic! Sorry for the letdown.
While some say the story seems rushed, I can see it not being too badly so. Remember, this is Toby who was a toddler when the events of Labyrinth happened. He has no idea what is going on, who these people are, and whatever Jareth has planned you KNOW you won't find out until the end of the novel, and he's going to be secretive and odd about it until the story progresses (sorta like the beginning of Labyrinth). So you basically have to deal with the rush of Toby's confusion while being herded into the Labyrinth, as well as the stage being set with the introduction of many key characters. The speed of the story might also be because the novels were originally supposed to be only a 3 part. Now that it is a 4 part, the rest should read a little more smoother.
All in all, the art might put you off and the story might seemed a bit rushed, though possibly on an acceptable level. It's a bit of nostalgia though, and might give you a smirk or two. And you'll hopefully feel like things are being set up for later, not just stitched together confusingly.
In the end, I give this three stars mostly for nostalgia and the like. I would have done two, but like I said, I read the second novel, and I end this review saying don't be put off by RtL1, give RtL2 a chance. The start is lackluster, but the series has hope!
Book Review: It had potential
Summary: 3 Stars
Having seen the line art for the cover of this manga I was very hopeful that it might end up truly great, but I was sorely disappointed. What more could one expect from TokyoPop, really?
If the cover art is collector-worthy, the inside art is completely disposable. It lacks any of the elegance or grace that was to be found in certain parts of the movie, and which the story calls for by its nature. Other manga I've read have beautiful art that flows smoothly from image to image and makes one's eye want to linger for a while before turning the page. This does not. It is painfully amaturish to look at at times (the 'unicorn' on the second page, anyone?).
On the bright side, the story is done well enough to keep an adult amused, if not especially stimulated. Kids will probably appreciate this for a while until they get older, and people who are already older might get it just for the cover art. That's basically what I did!
Sorry guys, but you should have left this to some artistically-inclined, grown-up female fans. Either that or consulted the fangirls. They have written some highly creative continuations to Labyrinth without being paid!