After two weeks away from the internets, we’re back to ring in the new year right (and a week late…) on Gobblin.net! As promised last time, I’ve got new commentary on Return to Labyrinth Vol. 3, as well as a first glimpse of art. Granted, it’s just a thumbnail, but I think Labyrinth Fans will enjoy…
This image comes from Chapter 1, which is entitled “Jareth’s Lies.” As anyone who read Volume 2 knows, we left off with a pair of pretty dramatic cliffhangers and a lot of unanswered questions. Volume 3 opens with what I call a “Dumbledore Chapter,” in that it is full of sitting, palaver and furrowed brows. (All it’s missing is a Pensieve, but I suppose flashbacks are basically the same thing). While some Potter fans scoff at the exposition theater scenes, I find them an endearing genre fiction staple. (Did anyone else prefer Tolkien’s council scenes to the battles, or am I just crazy?) A talky chapter is all well and good in prose fiction, but Return to Labyrinth is a graphic novel – ignoring the visual component of storytelling is doing a disservice to the medium.
This is an area where I really think Japanese manga excels. Browsing my collection of western comics, there is a definite tendency to frame panels as if a scene is being shot by a camera with dialog recorded on set. Usually, what you see is the literal reality of the scene. In manga, the literal is seamlessly intermixed with the abstract and metaphorical to a much greater degree. An old standby that a lot of people associate with shojo manga (especially my old favorites CLAMP) is the seemingly random use of feathers and cherry blossoms in lieu of backgrounds. Sometimes you’ll see multiple panels on a page with no characters – just abstract images, motion lines or extreme close-ups. Certainly one reason that these techniques are so common is that it’s faster than drawing faces and backgrounds in every scene and helps creators keep the breakneck schedules demanded by the Japanese serialized format, but also, it helps break up the repetition of having to see a character’s head every time there’s dialog. Even when a panel shows the head or full body of a speaking character, a manga-ka will frequently lift them out of their literal setting and place them against a background that adds emphasis or irony in an abstract way (like a lonely character appearing on a barren moon, or a happy character appearing on a field of flowers). These techniques aren’t exclusive to manga, by any means, but the fusion of the abstract and literal seems second-nature in that tradition, whereas Americans comics are constantly having to rediscover it.
After reviewing volume 1, this was an area I knew I had to improve on as a comics/manga writer. Whenever possible, I looked for opportunities to play to the strengths of the comics medium, and specifically to integrate some of the tricks I learned from eight years of working on manga. Jareth’s flashback in Chapter 1 and Mizumi’s lecture at the end of Chapter 3 are the places where I think Chris and I succeeded most at capturing the manga storytelling spirit. In volume 3, I hope we’ll continue to improve. (We’ve certainly got our work cut out for us, as perhaps the most pivotal scene in the volume is done without any characters!)
Going back to Volume 3’s “Dumbledore” opening, it became clear early on that the scene needed some kind of visual metaphor to break up the talking heads. What we came up with not only helps add diversity to the images – it also adds a whole new layer of tension to the scene. Sorry to be such a tease, but you’ll have to wait until Volume 3 is released to see what I mean. 
Oh, and if you’re curious what else happens next in Volume 3, know this – There Will Be Skub.
Part 1: Hi guys.
First of all I shall say I don`t like the comics art (it`s weird and not creative. See: Toby hasn`t any personal characteristic… he`s growing just to look as Jareth…) and I the story either (that`s why I haven`t bought any of them). I think a Labyrinth sequel should be a movie not a comic.
I agree with hayten about Jareth`s origin. I also think he was the first human child ever given away by a step-sister converted into a “goblin baby” as he told that he was going to do to Toby (watch “Magic Dance” clip).
Anyway Mandy`s theory is also fine but if he were a faerie he would look also for a faerie in the movie, not for a human girl. And I cannot doubt a human being could practice sorcery if he were thought to in a goblin universe. So I still think he is a human. Anyway there`s no doubt he’s not a goblin.
I also agree that a a message board to discuss these things would be very nice.
Part 2: I strongly agree with Crystal when she says that in her option if Jareth and Sarah were meant to be, they would’ve gotten together in the movie, so there is going to be someone else. If Sarah were able to resist to that wonderful “Fear me, love me, do as I say and I`ll be your slave…” (as Jareth said) she`s completely nuts, for Heaven`s sake!!!(smile) And because of this I cannot agree when Curious One says she`s attracted by him… she`s not! Definitively!! Otherwise she wouldn`t be able to resist to this. Any woman who would be really attract by someone couldn`t!!! (personally I would have asked him to send that boring baby back and get me in his place instead! Than we could have our own babies with true Jareth eyes!!! (big smile) What`s the problem with him after all?! Why does he have to keep on kidnapping babies?). I think Sarah`s the true Labyrinth`s villain (not Jareth) since she`s a spoiled, unresponsable and inconsequent girl who is always making Jareth to grant her wishes and giving nothing back to him (Yes! I do agree with him when he says he`s generous. He`s indeed! That`s why I cannot agree with Rachel. I don`t think all he knows is how to control because the one who controls everything in the end is she… He has to grant all her wishes: to take the baby, to give the baby back and she doesn`t have to even thank him!!! he`s almost her slave indeed making her wishes to come true even her wished adventures).
Part 3: But I shall criticize Jareth, too. If he says that that crystal ball with dreams is not a gift for a girl who takes care of a crying baby… well… he also should grow up a bit and do not run after a cruel (and see Sarah is the cruel one there. Jareth, who would be supposed to be cruel, isn`t… You shall remember he`s the one who guides her to her brother with a crystal ball in the end. If he were cruel he could keep them apart – lost in that castle-labyrinth – forever. So I think he would deserve someone kinder hearted not the spoiled and ungrateful creature that Sarah is (and, please, do not try to convince me that Sarah could be kinder after growing up… For my own experience I know people aren`t used to changing this way (smile)). That`s why I strongly believe he deserves another (better) person.
Part 4: I`m sad this is supposed to be the “official” sequel. The story is quite poor without anything new.
I agree with Curious One that Mizumi is hardly a candidate and that this name is not inserted in the story context. But about what he says conerning the Jareth’s song “Within You” from the film I think he`s wrong. I must remember the complete song lyrics:
“Yes I do
Live without the sunlight
Love without your heartbeat
I, I cant live within you
I cant live within you
I, I cant live within you
So, he may have let her go in every way: physically and mentally, too. So I`m sure he deserves another person (Humm, I guess that I got the perfect candidate: me!!! And a good defenser, too… lol lol lol). OK, as I said I think they should have innovated and created someone new.
Part 5: Well, Mason Templar (first of all I must say you have a fantastic blog here.
I`m not used to leaving comments but yours is so interesting I couldn`t resist it!!! 
), I would be happy if the comics wouldn`t be the end-all, be-all of Labyrinth stories. I would enjoy so much to write (as you can see I do love writing!!! lol lol) my own sequel (without Sarah but as you say this would be the way I`d like to do it so I must respect other ends) but we cannot disconsider the comics as they are supposed to be the “official sequel”. So unfortunately it`s quite difficult to write anything else with this. I think it is completely wrong to put any sequel as the official one because, as you said, I also believe anyone should be able to write his own end (that`s why I love the “open” movie end).
Part 6: (I`m sorry but my dial up connection is breaking all the time so I has to split my big comment into little ones).
). Wow, this would be great to me! 
Specially because this is the tactic he uses in the movie (he never takes part in a common conversation nor tell lies. But as a cheater he tries to seduce to get the person by enchantment without saying a word or justify himself (and he`s quite alright as he`s a king… without this characteristic Jareth loses a biggest part of his charm and it`s not Jareth anymore but another character that nor even acts like Jareth. It`s another story with a different character. Not a movie sequel. I think I have more consistent ideas for a movie sequel (just a question of writing them down 
). Of course I do respect the comics as a story but I still think it should not be a Labyrith official sequel because I see many holes in the story and about the characters.
) that I`ll take this charge upon myself in a good dinner with some good wine. lol lol lol
Watching the movie I don`t see any Jareth`s lie so I suppose he`s not a lier (he just cheats when he`s losing but never lies). And, if we remember the “Underground” lyrics:
“Down in the underground you`ll find someone true”.
So I think any “official” sequel should consider the character lines themselves.
Another point is that I can`t see Jareth sitting down and having a simple coffee or tea with anyone and chatting (This is boring! So ordinary! And specially wearing a suit and a tie!!! A tie!! This is not impressive! Specially for a king! What about his wonderful and stylish clothes?). I think he would do something bigger (as he`s a king) as a ball (as in the movie) or at least a dinner under candle lights and drinking a cup of wine probably after a kidnapping in a big style (with great scenes entrances
Anyway there´s just one person who can say something sure about our opinions: Jareth himself. Someone, please, give me his phone number or make an appointment for me with him (with him not with Bowie…
Oh I remembered one thing (also in the movie): in the ball scene we can see many guests with human form. They`re supposed to be goblins, too. So I think they may be human children taking by the goblins all of them as Jareth himself.
Marcia, I’m glad to read your feedback on Return to Labyrinth. Even though I am the author, and the series is authorized by the Henson Company, I don’t consider it to be the end-all-be-all of Labyrinth canon, as you suggest. The movie stands on its own. Everything else, from the novelization to Terry Jones comical descriptions of the Goblin in the art book, I would consider to be works inspired by the classic source (or in the case of Froud’s designs, inspiration for). As someone who is still new to comics writing, I freely admit to learning as I go along. I’m proud of the series as a whole, but would never call it flawless. I hope you can enjoy it on its own terms, and hopefully there will be moments where you feel some of the original magic. As a Labyrinth and Henson fan, I certainly hope there are other Labyrinth stories to be told, whether in film, interactive mediums or unauthorized fan fics.
Cheers,
Jake
Marcia,
One more thing. It’s important to remember that Return to Labyrinth is told in such a different medium from the original film. Chris has done some incredible work creating fantastic, whimsical moments in print that are very much in the Henson spirit. Moving from volume 1 to 2, he and I both worked on pushing that visual fantasy, and I think you’ll see even more of that in volume 3. As for Jareth coming off as mundane in volume 3 sample pics, once you see the rest of his scenes in context, I think you’ll find things much closer to the Goblin King you had in mind. I hope you’ll give it a look come this fall!
-Jake
If anyone has a date for when it’s out, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AND TELL ME! I’M DYING OVER HERE!!!!!!
i think return to labrynth vol 3 will be released on december 16 2008
*bouncing up and down* UWAH, UWAH, UWAH!!!!! (i love tohru-kun!) DECEMBER 16?!? It seems so far away, and yet so close! *sigh* Thank you so much, fellow Angela! You rock my socks! How’d you find that out? (Just e-mail your response, if you want)
I love the book. and the movie. my friend would agree-she calls me obsessed. um, angela, i believe it’s in november, considering Jake said “in the fall if ’08″ i seriously cannot wait that long. i need to read return to labyrinth vol 3! you think december’s tormenting?? i found out about the supposed season of the release date at the beginning of the summer and now it’s only a few months but it’s like forever! and i’ve been sad ever since. cause i realized that after return to labyrinth vol 3 i’ll have to wait, like a year till vol 4.
return to labrynth vol 3 will be released on november 2008 or december 16th
Marcia,
I actually believed that the dancers in the ballroom were also stolen goblins, as well…. at least, until I FINALLY bought the 2-disk anniversary edition dvd several months ago. Squee~! The director’s commentaries and behind-the-scenes looks are wonderful, and I would advise all die-hard fans to get one. I love and cherish it ^_^.
Anyways, back to the point; they were discussing the ballroom scene, and the human adults were a symbolism kind of thing, because it actually was a dream world. So they weren’t real. So. Sarah was ‘on the border between her childhood and adulthood’ and the whole scene was about exposing her and her innocence(hence the white dress) to the (corruption of the) ‘real world.’ After I heard that, I’ve grown to love that scene even more.
Dude, I love this Manga. I just hope for more Sarah/Jareth time. xD
Though, the cartooning is a bit too American for my liking, I still think it’s wonderful artwork, just different from what I’m used to. xP It is an american manga, after all. And a WONDERFUL one at that.
I hope to spend all my allowance on the third book in december. The exact day it comes out! xD Keep up the good work for 3 and 4! (I wish there could be more, though.)
MAY FREAKING 12th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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:3 your manga makes me so very happy. I can tell you guys are getting so much better at the art :3 i see so much improvement in vol. 2.
however I noticed that i hadnt seen it in any bookstores and went to see what the release date was ;.; pushed back? awww but…as an artist…i understand :3 keep up the good work
also, i LOVE getting more backstory on out favorite goblin king :3
I love how the last story endded. Sarah and Jareth together again is great. I’m curious about Moppet, though, she seems to be the missing piece of Sarah’s childhood. I mean, she looks just like Sarah, even has faint memories that are not hers, but she isn’t Sarah. I’m wondering what her part in the series is and why she was written. She seems to be a love interest for Toby, maybe someone he can feel close to. The prophecy of the Labyrinth is puzzling, I wonder if Sarah is a part of the Pathmaker and her kiss will restore Jareth to the throne. Any ideas?
Woot….. CLAMP FTW lol… XD
I think they should make The return to labyrinth a film.
I absolutley ADORED the first film, with Jennifer Connoly and David Bowie
I’m going to watch it with my kids when I’m older
BRING ON THE SECOND FILM PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
I’ve been waiting for this for YONKS
Thanks
ooh, I am soo going to wait outside of Barnes and Noble for this book. I really could care less about Toby, I’m a JarethxSarah person, so this volume is definetely for me!
Jareth looks really good in the suit by the way! *yummy*
ohhh yeah. They so belong 2gether =)
I can’t wait to see the 3rd volume!.
People in the ballroom scene aren’t human,they are goblins,but Sarah sees them as human because she’s been bewitched by Jareth ( that´s my favourite scene,I love those dresses!).By the way,in Brian Froud´s World of Faerie there´s a drawing called “The magician”featuring a girl who looks like a female Jareth ( she´s supposed to be Carroll’s Alice as a woman).I recomend that book to everyone,it´s absolutely beutiful.
On a positive note, I have always been a fan of the Labyrinth and felt disappointed with the ending of the movie. It felt like it was unfinished and left a lot of questions. I went to Wikipedia to discover that the movie was novelized, that answered some questions after reading a scribed version, then discovered that the story was continued via manga. I was shocked by how detailed the all the graphic art was and excited upon reading it. It started answering questions and creating new ones, but all in all I’m really excited about all of this. I think the writers are doing a good job, and should continue with whatever they’ve been doing to create such a great spellbinding story.
YAYY! ANOTHER ONE! I love this manga series, I’ve read the first two and cant wait for the next. What a cliffy!
I thought all the characters were all awesome…except i was a bit dissapointed with Sarah- she was so pretty in the movie and now shes kind of ugly! And Toby was a little too much like Jareth for my liking-though that might have been intentional. But thats just me. BRING ON THE THIRD, BOWIE IS MY KING!
XDXD
you all say it will be released in 2008, but its 2008 now and i cant find it anywhere! i thought it was may 2009…
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY THIS BRINGS ME MUCH LUUUUURVE AND JOOOOY AND JOOOYNESSSSS! BRING ON THE BOWIE!
( i meant 2009!)
I think the volumes are great, truly remarkable and to be truthful very well close to the movie. The first page in volume 1 was just like the scene where Sarah and Jareth met near the entrance to the labyrinth in the movie. I think the dialogue is cute, maybe somewhat childish, but the setting is a fairytale, a child’s world. I enjoyed reading both volumes and look forward to the next installment.
Next month ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i cant wait!!!!
It’s exciting to have the weeks count down. Apparently I am not the only one to get hooked on the manga series, but I also got both my sisters and several friends hooked on the series as well. In fact, they keep asking me when the third volume will be released so they can read it as well ^.^
Yes, I can admit that i was a little disappointed in the artwork of the first volume, but the storyline, i believe, made up for it.
Thank you MasonTemplar for your work on the storyline. It felt like I was waiting forever for any type of sequel to come out, and I’m very pleased that Henson agreed to someone coming out with one.
I look forward to the new volumes to come.
Keep up the good work
~Rey
This is awesome. I do so love the Labyrinth series. I wonder if anything is going to happen between Jareth && Sarah. That’s what everyone wants, right?
hell yeah!!!
right! ive just ordered my copy should be here in a couple of days! woooo! im so excited!
well, vol #3 is already released.. Now, I am waiting for next series… : )
It should be anime too… not only manga
I agree.
it would make a great manga, i can see it being maybe 12 episodes long, mabe even 24 if they add fillers. Jake you should consider letting someone pick up your manga as an anime, I’m sure it would be a huge success.
There’s such a sad love
Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel
Open and closed within your eyes
I’ll place the sky within your eyes
There’s such a fooled heart
Beating so fast in search of new dreams
A love that will last within your heart
I’ll place the moon within your heart
CHORUS
As the pain sweeps through
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill has gone
Wasn’t too much fun at all
But I’ll be there for you-oo-oo
As the world falls down
Falling
(As the world) Falling down
Falling in love
I’ll paint you mornings of gold
I’ll spin you Valentine evenings
Though we’re strangers till now
We’re choosing the path between the stars
I’ll leave my love between the stars
CHORUS
Falling
(As the world) Falling down
Falling
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down
(down) Falling
Falling
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling
Makes no sense at all
Makes no sense to fall
Falling
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down
(down) Falling
Falling
Falling in love
Falling in love (love)
Falling in love
Falling in love
Falling in love