By Carl Boehm
Labyrinth_2016Special_A_Main
Thirty years went by way too fast. In that time since Labyrinth premiered in theaters, so much has changed. We lost David Bowie this year, Jim Henson has been gone for some time. Despite those losses, Labyrinth endured. For a movie that fared poorly in the box office, thirty years has only helped to build the fan base of the legacy of Labyrinth. Like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jim Henson’s dark and magical tale has surpassed even cult status. The 30th Anniversary Special mixes nostalgia with simple fun as the supporting characters from the film get life in the form of comical vignettes. Don’t expect tales of Jareth or Sarah; instead, be charmed with stories of Sir Didymus, Ludo, Hoggle, and the rest of the magical menagerie that could only be spawned from the creative genius that was Henson’s imagination.
One weakness to this otherwise charming collection of tales is that the stories are not as approachable to those unfamiliar with the world of Labyrinth. New readers might not get Ludo’s power over rocks, although a later story explains that somewhat. Yet a great opportunity awaits: watch the movie with a child or one with the heart of a child and then sit down together to read this collection. Experienced together, the 30th Anniversary Special will be an excellent continuation of the film.
Worth the $10 retail price, the comic features various styles of artwork that are bright and colorful. This will be a great eye catcher for younger ones. And all of the stories feature light-hearted themes that appease and challenge the curiosity just as Jim Henson would have wanted.
Overall, this latest addition of stories succeeds in capturing some of the entertaining spirit of the film while appeasing fans until we can get some more tales from The Labyrinth. But with Henson and Bowie gone, can we ever return? Time to make a wish to the Goblin King.
Score: 4/5
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth 30th Anniversary Special #1
Writers: Various
Artists: Various
Publisher: BOOM! Studios/Archaia
Price: $9.99
Format: One-shot; Print/Digital