Review: Courtney Crumrin Vol. 1: The Night Things - Special Edition

Written by Ted Naifeh, Art by Ted Naifeh

Published by Oni Press, 2012

Courtney Crumrin has been on the periphery of my radar for some time now, and with the launch of an ongoing series and the publication of new hardcover editions of the earlier books, I decided to check it out.

Courtney and her parents have accepted an invitation to live with a rich uncle, Aloysius Crumrin. He lives in a gloomy old mansion in the middle of a rich neighborhood. It’s too good an opportunity for her social climbing, yuppie parents to let pass. Soon Courtney is established as a social pariah at school and a confident of her warlock uncle. Yes, there are dark, magical things afoot. In short order she shows herself to be naturally adept at magic, and fends off goblins, glamours, a changeling, and a doppelganger. She also meets a talking cat and discovers Goblin Town.

I enjoyed The Night Things a lot—so much so that I’ve already ordered the special edition of the second volume, due in August. It’s fun and smartly written. Naifeh gives the characters large eyes, which brings manga influences to mind, but Courtney’s look reminded me somewhat of Archie’s Sabrina. It is an all ages title, but if you’re the kind who likes their Grimm sanitized, then I would say 12 and up. Courtney’s not the sort of girl to worry when bad things happen to bad people. The special edition is very nice package. A beautiful little hard cover that will sit well in any collection.