Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation is published by BOOM! Studios under their Archaia imprint. It is written by Simon Spurrier with art by Daniel Bayliss and colors by Dan Jackson.
Unlike The Power of the Dark Crystal, which takes places after the events of the Jim Henson film, The Dark Crystal, this new expansion on the Jim Henson universe is a prequel to the events of Labyrinth. It brings up a question I think all who have seen the movie have had, how did Jareth become the Goblin King? Though he has powers, he is clearly not a goblin. So how did he get there? Well, the same way as Toby, he was stolen by goblins. But unlike Toby, he wasn’t rescued. Set 18th-century Venice, Italy, Simon Spurrier takes up the reins of another Jim Henson classic (he’s been doing an amazing job on The Power of the Dark Crystal) to tell us exactly what happens to the kids who don’t get to leave the Labyrinth.
Can I start off my review by saying Daniel Bayliss draws perfect Jareth eyebrows. I mean, the rest of his art is fantastic as well, especially with Dan Jackson’s colors, but damn. Them eyebrows. Even the goblins comment on them! Anyway, while we’re talking about art, I loved the design for these characters, especially the new ones we’ve never seen before.
The contrast between Maria and Albert was very telling about their character. Everything about Maria’s face was soft with a bit of a roundness, while Albert was sharp and pointed. Albert looked like Jareth, but was not an exact replica, you could see the family resemblance but he was still clearly a different person. I also really loved the goblins creeping around everywhere and how Dan Jackson’s colors changed when Albert was alone. With Maria in the room, everything had a brightness, but Albert was always made things gray, more dismal.
Simon Spurrier has such a knack for Jim Henson characters. His stories retain that Henson-esque familiarity but he still manages to make them his own. Albert hearing the goblins makes me wonder how deep this connection goes. Why did the goblins pick him? Speaking of, man, Albert is such a dick, but Maria, I already love her. She was denied access to her house so she climbed through a window, WHILE IN A PUFFY DRESS! And on top of that, it’s the 18th century and she has absolutely no fear of this rich and powerful man. She’s smart, she’s witty, she’s brave, and she isn’t about to just let her son be taken from her. But the fact remains Jareth does become the Goblin King…so what does happen to Maria? The suspense is already killing me.
OVERALL SCORE: 9.5 / 10
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