Return to Labyrinth is a 4-part American style manga series from Tokyo Pop. Several years ago I was given the first 3 books in the series, but never had the final book. As part of a personal goal this year to read more books that I really want to read and from my own shelves, I have ordered a copy of the 4th book. I will finally get to read the end of this revisit to Labyrinth! Well, that's assuming my order ships and I receive the book. (lol) With a sense of optimism, I have begun reading the first three volumes in the series again. I want to be ready to tear right into the package and start reading when book 4 arrives!

This series is set more than 10 years after the movie. Toby is a teenager and has been lured into the labyrinth by Jareth, The Goblin King. Jareth announces his intention to make Toby his heir. There is an evil queen and several other baddies who are not in favor of this choice. Soon after announcing his heir, Jereth disappears, leaving Toby as the new king. In flashbacks, it is discovered that Jareth entered into a wager with Queen Mizumi. He has 13 years to fulfill his part of the bet, or his kingdom and everything in it reverts to the control of the queen. There's only a week left...and Jereth is missing. Will he complete his task in time, or lose everything? And what will happen to Toby who now finds himself the new Goblin King? Volume 2 reveals the bet, Toby's decision to learn to be Goblin King, and a strange revelation about Moppet, a servant of the Mayor of Goblin City.

I like this series. The artwork is a wonderful mix of familiar characters from the movie and manga style artwork. The cover art, by Kouyu Shurei, is awesome! The storyline is interesting and adds in some new characters like Moppet, Mizumi and her daughters Drumlin and Moulin, and Skub. I'm glad that I will finally be able to read how the story ends, once I have book 4!


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This book is lame. The story is weak, I want to slap the main character, and neither the writing nor the art is anywhere near good enough to make up for them.

But I read the whole thing, in one day.

Partly, this is a case of OCD-style literary masochism; I started this series, so I feel compelled to finish it.

But partly, it's the lure of fan fiction. I have had a crush on Jareth ever since I first saw the movie, lo these many years ago. This series is a way to spend some more time in a universe I adore, and with a character I might have given in to.

I must admit, the book is aimed at a much younger audience. It's entirely possible that it's a great read for a teen, especially a young teen. But I can't really say, because I can't really read it objectively - I'm too wrapped up in lusting after Jareth, trying to revisit how I felt when I first watched the movie. This is probably not very complementary to me, but there it is. ( )

Another wonderful installment in the Return to Labyrinth series! I love that we get to know more about goblin culture and what it takes to be king. Toby is having a hard time governing the Labyrinth now that Jareth has up and left him to rule in his stead, but thankfully Toby quickly makes some friends (and enemies). I can't wait to fin out more about the mayor's servant (a human girl! how did she get there?!?) and the end of this manga made my heart race a little (you go Jareth!). All in good fun this is a must read for Labyrinth fans. I can't wait to finish the rest in this series! ( )

We finally figure out who Moppet is. It came as quite a shock to Toby. I expected it though by the way she acted. So, it wasn't a big deal. This is still a pretty good manga. I wish there was more Jareth though. ( )

This was a little bit better than the first book, but still not that great. It's interesting to read what might have happened after the movie ended. ( )