By the time I’d finished the script for the first volume of Return to Labyrinth, some of the characters had fleshed out backstories and multi-volume arcs, while other characters were, admittedly, sketchy. Moppet, for example, is developed to the point where I could tell a series about her even without Toby and crew. Mizumi had her motivations that, while not really apparent in volume 1, played out in volume 2 as planned. Skub, however, left the gate more or less without a purpose. My take on this “original” character was, in a nutshell, “like Gollum, only cuter, and try not to make him TOO Dobby-ish.” He was born without a heart. Thanks to the freedom of serialized storytelling, this once bland (if always cute) side-character found his voice in volume 2, and in Volume 3, he gets his soul.
I know it sounds like sloppy storytelling to introduce a half-baked character into a pivotal position, but in this instance, I think it was the best way to do it. No, really! Return to Labyrinth is released as a finite series of “graphic novels,” which implies a certain rigidness of structure, but I’ve tried to write the series as a serial. A novel in 4 acts, this is NOT. Even though there is a full year between volumes thus far, I try to write each chapter as if it is a monthly installment or “episode,” the way manga is published in Japan. Or to use another medium, Return to Labyrinth is more like a TV series than a movie.
What I love about serials (be they manga, TV or old pulp novels) is that they feel alive. Any character, no matter how small, can go on to star in his or her own adventure. Villains can be defeated, then return as unlikely allies. Every object and location has a history that may or may not get told. There’s always another cliffhanger, another downfall and another redemption. It’s why people are still telling stories about Star Wars and why Naruto can go on for over 40 volumes without losing steam.
Going back to Skub, In volume 1 he existed merely to advance Toby’s narrative. He was the Goblin that Toby followed to get to the Labyrinth in the first place. Aspects of his personality – cowardice and servility in particular—were there, but he was pretty 2-dimensional. It wasn’t until I’d spent time with Skub on the printed page that he finally clicked, and it happened in a way I never could have predicted. In volume 2, Skub becomes the head chef at the Goblin Castle. Is that a crucial development in telling the story of Toby, Jareth and Moppet – the “A” story? Not at all, but it makes the world a richer place. It even inspired this Return to Labyrinth “minigame.” Consider it emergent character design.
In the second chapter of volume 3, entitled “Skub’s Tale,” we finally learn what made this diminutive pig-nosed goblin who he is. Back in volume 1, the de-winged Fairy, Hana, has her backstory introduced in the format of a “fractured fairy tale” – a riff on the classic Elves and the Shoemaker. Skub’s Tale is also inspired by a fairy tale, although a more obscure one. It sets up a long-term story arc that will carry into the next volume… and beyond? I hope, that once Return to Labyrinth is over, Skub will be every bit as rich a character as Hoggle or Didymus and a member of the Labyrinth family that fans will want to revisit again someday.
One last note about serials. On Monday I start my new day job as a Game Designer at Telltale Games. They are the developers of Sam & Max
Next up, a new Goblin — Enter Minoskyrka!
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“Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be able to bring Labyrinth to the video game medium. (I know I’d play that game!)”
Ooh, me too — and I don’t even LIKE video games! But to actually enter a virtual Labyrinth — to choose, like, Sarah, which door to take and which character to trust — who wouldn’t want to do that?! It’d really expand the concept, too. We’d finally get to find out what’s behind all the doors she DIDN’T take… !
Is it just me or on the picture at the top, does it totally look like Skub’s rockin’ the banjo? Serendipity through cropping! Perhaps his next career move?
Skub should be a rock star! I’m sure goblins probably have bands of sorts, even if the instruments are just random stuff found on the street. He could take lessons from Jareth, who basically is a rock star. Skub is cool, I can’t wait to read more of his story =)
And in response to the Labyrinth video game, that would be AMAZING *imagines making Jareth jump over walls and Sarah kicking stuff*
I did want to have a goblin rock band in vol. 2 — they were going to be called “Brillig and the Slithy Toves.” Maybe in a future volume. : )
I second the notion of a musically inclined Skub, as having a rockstar present in the Labyrinth seems to be part of its charm. If that were the case, Skub would have a legion of groupie goblin babes. ^_~
I can see the t-shirt now: “He SKUBs me, he SKUBs me not <3″
And yes, please bring Labyrinth to the video game world. My inner sixteen-year-old fangirl would die of glee.
Heh. I, for one, would love to see “Brillig and the Slithy Toves” gyre and gimble in the wabe. (It’d be nice to put some mome raths and borogoves in the background too — I think they’d feel right at home in the Labyrinth.)
I need to read that book again, it’s been ages x.x
Wow, you just blew my mind. I used to Role play on AOL (actually not that long ago) as Jareth (before I switched over to using IMVU for such games) and I played with someone who calls herself Ryu. And the very first character she ever introduced to the game was a wind nymph she named Brillig. Of course I know the name is originally from Lewis Caroll’s Jabberwocky from Through the looking glass. It’s just odd that this is the second time I’ve seen that in relation to the Labyrinth universe.
And I love the idea of a goblin based rock band in the manga. It seems very true to the heart of the original Labyrinth.
[...] Forbes explains how the serial format gave him the freedom to develop a new character at [...]
I love Skub, he’s so cute!
“Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be able to bring Labyrinth to the video game medium. (I know I’d play that game!)” I do hope for a video game! Keep up the great work!
I didn’t think much about Skub at first, but when the second book came out and he showed Toby those weird pictures of his teacher, I just couldn’t stop laughing. I thought that little song he sang as he led them through the Labyrinth was strange, but funny because it actually rhymed; I thought goblins were supposed to be stupid?
Well, they rhymed when they sang Magic Dance and the firies as they sang Chilly Down.
My internal logic is that goblins can be clever whenever rhymes or bad puns are involved.