Labyrinth: Coronation 5

Solicitation: "Maria travels deeper into the Labyrinth in search of her son Jareth, but a strange new influence has changed its shape, making it even more unpredictable…"
==Story==
* Written by Simon Spurrier
* Illustrated by Daniel Bayliss with Irene Flores
* Colors by Dan Jackson
* Letters by Jim Campbell
* Character Designs by Kyla Vanderklugt and Daniel Bayliss
===Synopsis===
Beetleglum tries to convince Jareth to continue telling the story of Maria, but Jareth refuses. Instead, Jareth wants to continue observing Sarah through his crystal as she runs from the Fireys. Beetleglum objects to this, not wanting Toby to see his sister in peril. Jareth insists that if Toby is to become a goblin he must learn their ways, and that includes appreciating the goblin craving for entertainment. 
The Owl King is visited by his goblin court, who question him about Maria’s progress through the Labyrinth. Despite the Owl King’s promises of entertainment, the goblins are not impressed by what they have seen so far. Annoyed by their comments the Owl King furiously orders them to be silent, before walking off. 
The Owl King comes across Septimus and Beetleglum. The Owl King declares that, while he may be old and unpopular, in the end the Goblins will be grateful for him. He also confirms Maria’s theory that the Labyrinth is connected to her memories: 
:“She grasped swiftly that the Labyrinth echoes to the melodies of her mind... Then again, she hears only half the music. Ha. She thinks she’s dreaming. And what fills her monkey brain more than anything… is the man who ruined her. And so… I’ll use his mind to beat hers”. 
As he speaks, he produces a glowing crystal. Beetleglum asks about the crystal, and the Owl King states that the crystal contains a reflection of Albert’s memories. The Owl King claims that Albert’s addiction to his leisure's above all other things, including his own family, will be what saves the Labyrinth. 
Maria sits in the graveyard, confused. Above the doorway of one tomb is Albert’s last name. Having never seen Albert’s family tomb, Maria doesn’t understand why it would be appearing in what she believes to be a dream. Just then, an Artisan goblin comes running up to Maria, seeing that she is wearing the signet ring of a goblin lord. The Artisan explains that the Owl King, having learned of the human custom of grand tombs, commissioned the creation of his own tomb. However the Artisan can’t finish the Owl King’s tomb, because the graveyard is overrun with undead Goblins. 
The Artisan, thinking Maria is a questing noble because of the signet ring, demands her help. Skubbin explains that the ring was his originally, having hoped he could leave it behind when he left the Labyrinth. With a sigh, Skubbin gives Maria her chalk back, telling her they were wrong to trade their tokens:
:“Struggle though we may to live by our wits, no one can fight what’s in their heart”. 
With that, Sir Skubbin begins to fight the undead Goblins. Maria meanwhile, contemplates her chalk. The Owl King observes as Maria draws a portrait of Albert on a nearby wall, which then transforms into a stone carving of Albert. Maria realises that, whether the Labyrinth is real or a dream, she can indeed shape it. Maria then uses the chalk to finish the Owl King’s tomb, which pacifies the undead Goblins. 
Maria’s victory is short-lived, as the stone head of Albert suddenly explodes, heralding the appearance of the Owl King. The Owl King gloats, telling Maria that while she was distracted he has now captured Skubbin and Tangle. The Owl King acknowledges that he is dying, but cryptically agrees with Maria that a stronger King is needed, “Although perhaps not the way you think”. With that, the Owl King disappears, and Maria is alone in the Labyrinth once again. 
Meanwhile the Young Beetleglum, struggling to quiet Maria’s crying baby, appeals to the reflection of Albert contained in the glowing crystal. The reflection of Albert manages to calm Maria’s baby by showing him a memory of Albert, Maria, and the baby in happier times.
==Covers==
Labyrinth Coronation textless cover 05 Fiona Staples.jpg|Fiona Staples cover
Labyrinth Coronation 05 Sana Takeda.jpg|Sana Takeda cover
==External links==
* Comic Book Roundup Review Aggregator
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Category:Labyrinth Coronation