Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth Coronation #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Simon Spurrier
Art by Daniel Bayliss
Colors by Dan Jackson
In the throne room of Jareth, the Goblin King, the forces of Goblin City have gathered to watch Sarah make her way through the Oubliette. It’s a recreation of a classic scene from the film and it looks awesome.
The next part is what happens immediately after with the goblin who disagrees with Jareth and instantly regrets it.
Away from the other goblins, the Goblin King confronts the dissenter in front of baby Toby. As the goblin hands the child over, Jareth decides to tell him a story. A story that begins in an ornate hall in Venice in the late 1700’s. A masquerade ball is in full swing and a young man dances with an elegant countess. As the party continues, the countess dazzles the room with her wit and charm as her husband confronts her about rumors swirling about him in the city. As he takes some time to himself, we see a group of goblins scheming in the background.
Eventually, she finds him and he decides to go home as she stays to enjoy the party. When she returns to her home, she is barred from entering under orders from her husband. A man who looks suspiciously familiar. Apparently the sins of his past have caught up to him and he must flee the city and decides to end the charade that he and his wife have been living in. As we see flashes of his violent temper, his wife has only one concern; the child they share. A child whose existence is inconvenient to the man. An inconvenience that he sends his hired thug to deal with. When that fails, he is driven to call on darker mean to deal with the child and his mother.
Both visually and narratively, this story grabbed me. It is gorgeous to look at with some amazing panels and angles that enhance the rich and engaging story that’s being told. Spurrier is able to hook me as a fan of the movie and the voice he uses to tell the story is consistent and engaging. There is a calm, quiet menace in Jareth that is both sad and endearing. I can’t get over the visuals, especially the last few pages. I cannot wait to read what happens next. I am hooked.
