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by **LOLtron** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:24 pm

A review of Oni's newest series!

Credits & Solicit Info:

Courtney Crumrin returns in her first ever, full color series! Welcome to a world where magic and Night Things lurk behind every corner and nothing is as it seems. This is the world introduced to Courtney by her dear Uncle Aloysius--a master mage of unknown age and even more mysterious motivations. What started the Crumrin clan down the dark path, and is Courtney strong enough to follow it all the way down?

Review:

One of my favorite parts about comics is finding a new series that's been sitting around, waiting for you to discover it. Courtney Crumrin is one of those series. An Oni Press title written and illustrated by Ted Naifeh, only four miniseries of this title have come out over the last ten years. Historically, Courtney Crumrin releases have been sporadic and infrequent, but Oni Press released the first issue in a new ongoing series last week.

Courtney Crumrin is a grumpy, sullen young girl who discovers a world of magic after moving in with her uncle Aloysius. While she possesses more common sense than her dull-witted and selfish parents, Courtney still has a lot to learn about the world and often learns that magic, like any shortcut, has unintended consequences. It's a great and unique book that mixes dark humor with childlike innocence in a manner unlike any other comic on the shelves today.

The new series is a great (re)introduction to Courtney's world. We learn about Courtney and some of her past adventures through a new girl at school that Courtney quickly befriends. However, unlike Courtney, who has a good heart and has come to learn the responsibilities associated with wielding magic, the newcomer takes a darker route, forcing Courtney to face her failings alone. There are a lot of parallels in the first issue of Courtney Crumrin to her first miniseries that might be lost on new readers, but they exist more as winks and nods to longtime fans of the series and won't affect a newcomer's enjoyment of the book.

Naifeh's artwork is fantastic throughout the book. It's simplistically stylized and captures the dark scenes and characters in Courtney Crumrin without being too gloomy. It's captivating to watch Naifeh walk that thin line between cartoonish and dark so perfectly and helps the series stand out from its peers.

Anyone who loves Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride or a good ghost story will enjoy this comic. When you do, be sure to pick up the new Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things hardcover, brilliantly released to give new fans of the series a chance to start from the beginning. I can't recommend this book enough. It's a fantastic and brilliant series that deserves far more acclaim. Discover Courtney Crumrin today; you'll be glad you did.

Review by: Christian Hoffer

http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/reviews/comics-reviews/19097-review-courtney-crumrin-1.html/

by **Victorian Squid** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:34 pm

Well, this is unexpected! I read this, and enjoyed it. Very well done, I thought, a good comic to recommend for younger readers when someone complains there aren't any books for them, or that feature female protagonists.

by **BlueStreak** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:55 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:Well, this is unexpected! I read this, and enjoyed it. Very well done, I thought, a good comic to recommend for younger readers when someone complains there aren't any books for them, or that feature female protagonists.

I stumbled upon some review copies of these and basically ate them up. This Wednesday, I'm grabbing everything Courtney Crumrin related I can.

by **Victorian Squid** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:10 pm

BlueStreak wrote:
I stumbled upon some review copies of these and basically ate them up. This Wednesday, I'm grabbing everything Courtney Crumrin related I can.

the-news-stand/comic-the-week-t79693.html

We'll never win but at least I wouldn't be able to say "No one but me ever blahblahblah.." this time!

by **Chesscub** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:28 pm

I'm glad Courtney Crumrin is back. I'm going to be getting niece some of the previous stuff.

She loved Leave it to Chance and Mouse Guard so she trusts my opinion. :-D

by ****** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:28 pm

I read a couple of the OGNs a few years back at the behest of 4thy (RIP), good comics.

by ****** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:30 pm

Chesscub wrote:I'm glad Courtney Crumrin is back. I'm going to be getting niece some of the previous stuff.

She loved Leave it to Chance and Mouse Guard so she trusts my opinion.

by **Chesscub** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:34 pm

amlah6 wrote:

Each time I see James Robinson at a convention, I ask for more Leave it to Chance. It was such a perfect series.

by **Victorian Squid** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:36 pm

I'll be honest, I was going to post about this book but I really thought there would be no interest at all.

by **BlueStreak** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:40 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:I'll be honest, I was going to post about this book but I really thought there would be no interest at all.

If Naifeh can get these out on a regular basis, I can see this being the next The Sixth Gun which just gradually gets more and more hype with each month.

by **Victorian Squid** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:50 pm

Some good reviews, thorough and original C2E2 coverage as well as some pre-SPACE-related interviews...The Outhouse is really trying to impress me lately.

by **BlueStreak** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:55 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:Some good reviews, thorough and original C2E2 coverage as well as some pre-SPACE-related interviews...The Outhouse is really trying to impress me lately.

We're also working on getting some Stumptown coverage as well. We'll see how much of it pans out, but that's in the works.

Plus Acme Comics, which runs the Acmecast podcast we syndicate, just got nominated for an Eisner AND had its town named "Comic Book City USA".

by **Victorian Squid** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:00 pm

BlueStreak wrote:
We're also working on getting some Stumptown coverage as well. We'll see how much of it pans out, but that's in the works.

Plus Acme Comics, which runs the Acmecast podcast we syndicate, just got nominated for an Eisner AND had its town named "Comic Book City USA".

Yeah, I know, that's great. I have never gotten into the habit of watching too many podcasts but maybe I'll check it out. If it's nominated for an Eisner maybe it doesn't have the problems with length and editing that some podcast do.

by **BlueStreak** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:01 pm

Victorian Squid wrote:
Yeah, I know, that's great. I have never gotten into the habit of watching too many podcasts but maybe I'll check it out. If it's nominated for an Eisner maybe it doesn't have the problems with length and editing that some podcast do.

Check out their Mark Waid one. This last week's didn't get edited due to C2E2.