Jim Henson's Return to Labyrinth by Jake T. Forbes

 Emily's comments:

I am a child of the 80’s.  I was raised on Thundercats, Smurfs, and of course, Jim Henson.  In fact, I’m pretty sure I convinced myself at the age of five that it might just be possible for me to marry Kermit the Frog.  I no longer have those romantic feelings toward the Muppet gang, but I do still hold all things Henson near and dear to my heart, especially Labyrinth.  Please tell me you’ve seen Labyrinth!  My younger brother and I are constantly quoting one of Henson’s wackiest movies.  It’s about this girl, Sarah, who hates her stepmother and is tired of having to care for her stepbrother Toby.  Sarah is uber-obsessed with this play about a goblin-king who grants wishes.  So one night, when Toby is being super annoying, Sarah quotes a line of the play and asks the Goblin King to come take her baby brother away.  That’s when we meet him…the Goblin King Jareth…aka David Bowie in spandex.  Jareth steals Toby and keeps him in his castle at the center of a giant maze.  Sarah only has a few hours to make it through the labyrinth to save Toby.

To my utter amazement and pleasure, there is a manga sequel to my childhood treasure.  Return to Labyrinth is set several years later with Toby in high school (yes, Sarah does make it to the castle in time).  Jareth needs an heir to the throne, and Toby seems the most likely successor.  The series is only four volumes long, but they are a wonderful four volumes filled with many of my favorite characters.  In the off chance that you haven’t visited the Labyrinth and the magic of Jim Henson, I whole-heartedly suggest you do.  “Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child that you have stolen.  For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great…”

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Alice in the Country of Hearts by Quinrose

Emily's comments:

I’m a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland.  I love the book (especially the audiobook read by Jim Dale), and I lllooovvveee the Disney animated movie.  When I saw this new manga Alice in the Country of Hearts on our shelves, I just had to pick it up.  Now let me just come out and say this right off the bat…I’m not what you would call a manga enthusiast.  I read them because it’s a part of my job, but I wouldn’t necessarily pick up a bunch for entertainment.  There is nothing wrong with them, they are just an acquired taste.  That being said, I really did enjoy this new series from Tokyopop.  In the story Alice Liddell has been kidnapped by Peter White, this rather goofy guy with giant rabbit ears, and dropped down a hole into Wonderland.  In Wonderland she discovers that in order to leave, you must play a game.  Wonderland is a dangerous place made up of three warring territories:  Heart Castle is ruled by the Queen of Hearts, the Amusement Park is managed by a man named Gowland, and the Hatter’s territory  run by Elliot March and the Bloody Twins.  To make matters worse, it seems that Alice is the most desired person in the land.  Alice is doing everything she can to learn the rules of the game she must play in order to escape, avoid the advances of the goofy Peter White, and avoid getting herself in to trouble as she navigates the political intrigues of the land.

The art is wonderful, even though I still have some trouble figuring out who is a girl and who is a boy.  The story is interesting and intriguing.  And the characters are a lot of fun.  If you are a manga fan, an Alice in Wonderland fan, or just looking for a quick series to sink your teeth in, definitely give Alice in the Country of Hearts a shot.  

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