Entertainment Weekly have just posted an interesting article on the Labyrinth prequel comic Archaia comics are currently developing-

http://shelf-life.ew.com/2012/01/06/labyrinth-graphic-novel-prequel/

The most interesting part for people around these parts will be this-

Of course, since music also a played such a large role in the movie, Christy is hoping to see songs integrated into the graphic novel as well. "I dont know if this will work out, he cautions, but I want to do songs where theyre songs being sung (by characters) and we show the notes on the page, so you can actually play along." Which only begs the question: will these be David Bowie songs? "Were talking, he says with a smile. The budget to get Bowie to do one song would be the budget of all the books, but were talking to him to at least get his blessing or maybe an introduction or something."

He also has likeness approval, Christy clarifies, an important fact given that the (as-of-yet-unannounced) artist on the book will be drawing Jareth like a young David Bowie. "The character would be Sarahs age or a little older during the course of the story. Hes kind of a punk in his own way. Were huge fans so we know that if were getting excited, other fans will."

It will be very interesting (for me, at least) to see how this project develops, and if Bowie has any involvement at all beyond giving his permission to use his likeness.

This is an interesting point: 'He also has likeness approval'.

I wonder if these models who've been appearing on magazine covers dressed in Bowie styles recently, have likeness approval? I've heard of image rights, but never 'likeness approval'. What happens if a person is born and happens to look like Bowie and a decides to make a living as a double, opening supermarkets and stuff? Do they have to get 'likeness approval'?

Mist.

"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, simply surrounded by assholes." - William Gibson.

I presume he has likeness approval when it comes to Labyrinth merchandise because there is going to be profit involved, and the fact his likeness is being used entitles him to a cut of it. That's just me speculating, though - I have no idea how these things work, really.

Yeah, I can understand him wanting to protect his interests but to my mind, 'likeness approval' would be quite hard to regulate. A heavy metal guy with long blonde hair who has no interest in Bowie but who looks a bit like him could easily look like Jareth (or Gareth ) and could potentially end up on the wrong end of a law suit!

Mist.

"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, simply surrounded by assholes." - William Gibson.

I doubt likeness approval extends to people who look similar to him IRL - it's probably just for instances where his likeness appears on published books/film etc.

I rather like what Pika La Cynique is doing with the Jareth character in her fan comic Roommates over at Deviantart.

Ah! Mr. Waite, the world of Magic is a mirror, wherein who sees muck is muck.
Aleister Crowley

Pika's comic is fantastic, and somehow manages to keep the characters actions consistent and believable. She'd be a great pick for the illustrator of the comic, as the role is going.