Return to Labyrinth

File:Labmanga1.jpg

The cover of the first volume

Return to Labyrinth is an OEL manga based on the Jim Henson fantasy film, Labyrinth. Jake T. Forbes is credited as the creator, and Chris Lie is the illustrator. The covers for the first two volumes were drawn by Kouyu Shurei. It is published by Tokyopop.

Return to Labyrinth is a 4-part series starting with Volume 1 that was released in August 2006. Volume 2, titled Goblin Prince of the Labyrinth, and was released in October, 2007. Originally planned as a 3-part series, it was announced at the end of the second volume that the story would be expanded to four volumes. Volume 3 will be released in November 2008 . The story takes place about 13 years after the events of Labyrinth and centers around Toby, who by this time has grown up into a teenager.

Synopsis

Volume 1

It has been over a decade after the events of Labyrinth, wherein Sarah defeated the Goblin King and rescued her baby half-brother, Toby. Jareth the Goblin King had promised not to bother Sarah again, but made no such promise about Toby, and therefore watched as Toby grew up into a teenager, secretly giving him everything he desired regardless of its attainability or scale. Through the years, Toby noticed the strange way by which all his wishes came true, but never understood the reason for them. He has no memory of the time that he was kidnapped by goblins, and has no idea of what Sarah did for him years ago. Sarah herself has become a schoolteacher.

Jareth has been watching Toby because he still intends for Toby to become his heir to the throne of his kingdom. Time for choosing an heir is drawing near and other individuals are eyeing the throne, including a mysterious Queen and the Mayor of Goblin City. Jareth eventually lures Toby back to the Labyrinth where he meets various creatures, including those that his sister encountered during her own adventure.

Volume 2

Immediately following Volume 1, Jareth names Toby his heir and then disappears. Mizumi, the Queen of Moraine, and her two daughters decide to stay with Toby in the Goblin Castle "to help him out". After a brief scuffle in the "History of Toby" museum, Toby embraces his destiny as the new leader of the goblins and begins training for the role. Mizumi volunteers to teach Toby magic, gifting him with a small vial of magical water from Moraine. During their lessons Mizumi reveals her past romantic history with Jareth and his subsequent building of the Labyrinth "to keep everyone including [her] out".

Toby's studies get in the way of his quest to find Hana's wings; in anger Hana begins searching for them on her own. With the aid of Moppet, Hana discovers a locked door in a far tower of the Goblin Castle. After breaking in, they discover a beautiful, untouched room. At this point, Moppet begins to feel uncomfortable because of recognizing the music playing from the music box ("As the World Falls Down") and having a flashback of Jareth saying "love me" to her. Drumlin, Mizumi's daughter, locks them in the room and starts destroying it.

During this time, Mizumi takes Toby to the Ministry of Prophecies where they select a prophecy for Toby. Toby only hears part of the prophecy, leaving out a dangerous omen of things to come. When Toby and Mizumi return to the castle, Toby sees Moppet falling. Desperate to save her, he magically extends his arms to catch her, but in the process of saving her life knocks her mask off to reveal her true face. Toby instantly recognizes her as a younger version of his sister, Sarah, but having pale hair and different coloring.

Elsewhere, two goblins discuss a plot against someone of importance. The scene then cuts to one of Sarah, who is grading papers when she hears a knock on the door. When she opens it, it reveals Jareth standing before her.

Characters

Main article: Labyrinth (film) § Cast

Jareth, The Goblin King

The King of the Labyrinth, a vast kingdom within a realm known as the Underground. According to the manga, Jareth has ruled the Labyrinth for 1300 years. Though he appears human, he has several inhuman abilities including the ability to form crystal orbs with which he can create illusions of all types or view things from a distance. He is also capable of physical transformations, such as into a barn owl. He has not appeared to age between the film and the manga. Jareth is also a master of disguise, as evidenced from various disguises used in the film; in the manga he slicks his hair back and wears spectacles while masquerading as Toby's guidance counselor. It is revealed that Jareth has been watching Toby grow up through the years and granting his every wish, supposedly in order to prepare Toby into becoming his heir.

There is some question as to whether Jareth is free to leave the Labyrinth. On one hand, Toby is warned that, as the Goblin King, he may not leave the Labyrinth unless he is summoned. Jareth's appearances to Toby and Sarah might be explained by their wishes for outside help. His only completely uninvited visit takes place after his abdication. On the other, Jareth is shown visiting Mizumi in Moraine while he is still Goblin King.

In Volume 2, more of the history of the Labyrinth is revealed. Part of Jareth's personal history is revealed as well: at one time or another Jareth had a relationship with Mizumi, the Queen of Moraine. What exactly their relationship was is left to interpretation, but it appears to have been a romantic one (at one point Mizumi admits to having loved Jareth), though Jareth seems to have broken such bonds. The creation of the Labyrinth acts as a manifestation of Jareth's powers and desire to isolate himself; however, at some point, he allowed one person, presumably Sarah, to enter the Labyrinth and his power began to wane once that person defeated him. Volume 2 also further explores Jareth's intentions and feelings towards Sarah, long speculated by fans of the film. The manga shows Jareth fixated on Sarah, genuinely frustrated by her refusal of his offer to stay in the Labyrinth. One passage can be interpreted to mean that Jareth had intended to make her his queen.

Toby Williams

The baby that Jareth kidnapped after he was wished away by his half-sister, Sarah. In the film it was hinted that Jareth became fond of Toby. In the manga, Toby has grown up into a high school student who displays similar attributes as those shown by his half-sister in the film. He has no memories of his previous time in the Labyrinth nor of Sarah rescuing him. In Volume 1 of the manga, he returns to the Labyrinth after a goblin steals his homework and he ends up in a ballroom in the castle beyond the Goblin City, where Jareth declares that he is to become the new king of the goblin kingdom, effective immediately. Toby spends most of the second volume coming to terms with his inheritance of the Labyrinth and becoming its king.

Moppet

A polite and passive girl who resides in the Goblin City as a servant to the Goblin Mayor. She wears a goblin mask to hide her face. She dances with Toby in the ballroom before Jareth's declaration. In Volume 2, it is revealed that she was found by one of the trash ladies and then given to Spittledrum as payment for her taxes. While helping Hana find her wings, they stumble across a room that Sarah would have had if she had agreed to become Queen of the Labyrinth. When Moppet's goblin mask is removed, Toby instantly recognizes her as looking like Sarah, though her connection to Toby's sister remains unexplained. Moppet is shown to have a crush on Candelwic, a tough goblin guardsman, but seems to be too shy to say anything.

Hana

A pixie whose wings were plucked by goblins. She has a fierce temper and is easily agitated. She befriends Toby during his journey into the Labyrinth and he promises to help her find her wings. When Toby's studies prevent him from helping her search for her wings, she become agitated with him and goes off with Moppet to find them on her own.

Spittledrum

The somewhat incompetent Goblin Mayor. He has served Jareth for a long time, and seems to think highly of himself as each time he comes to believe that Jareth will retire from being Goblin King, Spittledrum prepares a speech to accept becoming Jareth's successor. When Toby is named the heir to the Labyrinth, Spittledrum is initially upset but later looks after Toby.

Mizumi

The Queen of Moraine, a land known for its beauty and dangerous waters. Known also as the Queen of Cups, Mizumi is a powerful magician and an icy beauty who was once very close to Jareth. Soon after Jareth is defeated by Sarah, he approaches Mizumi to present a wager offering "the goblin kingdom and his king" if she wins. As of Volume II, the wager itself, however, is unrevealed.

Her motives for helping Toby are unknown, though it appears that she seeks to take control of Labyrinth. To do so, she tutors Toby in magic, alternately believing he is inept but has tremendous potential, in hopes of finding the Pathmaker, who controls the Labyrinth's shifts and changes. She has two daughters, Moulin and Drumlin.

Drumlin

One of Mizumi's daughters. She is very obese as a result of her ability to drink anything and suck the moisture out anything she touches.

Moulin

Mizumi's other daughter. She carries a rain cloud, having the power to control water, and an umbrella to keep herself dry. She is also a skilled fencer, being the one to spar with Sir Didymus in a demonstration during Toby's physical education lesson. At the goblin ball, she preferred dancing with Moppet to dancing with Toby.

Sarah Williams

The protagonist of the film. In the manga, she is a supporting character, living a subdued life as a schoolteacher. She has also become a surrogate mother of sorts to Toby. At the end of Volume 2, Jareth, after relinquishing his throne, comes to see her. His purpose in seeing her are unknown, but could have something to do with his feelings for her and the mysterious wager he made with Mizumi almost thirteen years ago.

The Pathmaker

Because the Labyrinth is alive, making it more than a maze of stone, its heart and mind are embodied as an entity known as the Pathmaker. Opening the door to the Pathmaker's lair will allow anyone to command the Labyrinth. The Pathmaker was created by Jareth himself, and it controls everything that the Labyrinth does. Once Jareth retired from being king, he lost his direct power over the Pathmaker. Mizumi now seeks the Pathmaker through Toby in hopes of taking control of the Labyrinth.

Skub

The small goblin that stole Toby's homework and eventually led him into the Labyrinth. Apparently he was kicked out of the army goblin's recruitment. He has become the King's/Prince's royal chef.

Dingle

The little imp that rings Moppet's alarm clock.

The Brick Layer

A spider-like goblin that builds the outer brick walls of the Labyrinth. He believes that one must always choose a side. He able to see all the sides of every wall and can transport a person to the opposite side if asked properly. He knows little of the other life-forms in the Labyrinth and builds it primarily out of instinct.

Hoggle

A cowardly dwarf-goblin that once worked for Jareth but became loyal to Sarah in the film. At that time, Jareth had threatened Hoggle to turn him Prince of the Land of Stench if Sarah ever kissed him. In the manga, it is shown that Jareth has followed through, and Hoggle supposedly resents Sarah for this development.

Sir Didymus

A small dog-fox goblin first seen in the film. He has a loyal canine "steed" named Ambrosious. In the manga he is seen sending invitations for Jareth's ball. He also becomes Toby's physical education teacher. He is on friendly terms with Moppet.

Professor Maelgrot

An artistic goblin whom has made the "Museum of Toby," of which he is the founder as well as the collector of Toby's old junk, including Lancelot.

Professor Nymblie

Toby's drama teacher and fashion advisor.

Professor Glosspan

Toby's philosophy teacher, a noted philosopher.

Professor Glockensteal

Toby's economics teacher, money grubber. For goblins, "economics" seems to be mostly about the art of hoarding and swindling.

Professor Jodhspur

Toby's jousting teacher.

Ludo

A yeti who was being tormented by goblins until Sarah rescued him in the film. He makes a cameo in Volume 1 of the manga.

The Blue Worm

A small blue worm who wears a red scarf and lives in the brick wall of the first passage of the Labyrinth. He had encountered Sarah in her journey in Labyrinth, and here he briefly encounters Toby. His wife is The Missus, who was never seen in the film but seen briefly in the manga.

The Flegworts

An elderly goblin couple. They own a shop where they sell shoes to their fellow goblins as food.

Irene Williams

Toby's mother, who in the manga is shown as very stern with her son. This may justify Sarah's dislike of her. Irene and Toby have a very cold relationship as a result, while Sarah and Toby are shown as very close.

Mr. Morrisey

Toby's high school math teacher. He believes Toby is cheating on his test, though this is really the result of Jareth's intervention. He sends Toby to the guidance counselor, who turns out to be Jareth in disguise.