While we’re still reeling from the unexpected loss of the One True Goblin King in January, BOOM! Studios imprint Archaia looks to give us a little cheering up with the first issue of Labyrinth: 30th Anniversary Special, a 48-page volume of short stories featuring the goblins and Sarah’s Labyrinth-dwelling friends.
Featuring work from Gustavo Duarte, Daniel Bayliss, Kyla Vanderklugt, and more, the art styles range from cutely cartoonish to carefully created homages to Brian Froud’s original concept art.
By far, my favorite story in the collection is “Hoggle and the Worm”, written by Ted Naifeh and Adrianne Ambrose and illustrated by Cory Godbey. In this tale, Hoggle attempts to follow advice on finding a “Missus” from the little blue worm called William who lives in the walls of the Labyrinth – unfortunately, William and Hoggle end up having very different ideas of how a “Missus” should be obtained. Not only is the story well-paced and full of laughs, it’s beautifully colored using a palette that matches the Labyrinth’s perpetual dusky glow perfectly.
While there are lots of adorable moments with Ludo and hilarious chaos with Sir Didymous and Ambrosious, noticeably absent is the Goblin King himself. BOOM! editor Sierra Hahn said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that they hoped in the future to do stories that focused on Jareth and Sarah, the two main characters from the movie. However, Hahn is wary of messing with the movie’s continuity: “…until we figure out what that story is, that doesn’t change things or reinvent things for fans, we’re not gonna go there yet.”
Like so many “cult classics”, Labyrinth wasn’t a critical or financial success when it came out in the summer of 1986. Thirty years later, it holds a special place in the hearts of fans who are always ecstatic to learn more about the mysterious world of the Underground and its enigmatic ruler. This collection may not sate their hunger forever- but we all know that forever is not long at all.
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