Follow us on Twitter | Instagram
“Courtney Crumrin and The Night Things” by Ted Naifeh, Warren Wucinich (Colorist) is a little like ‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda meets ‘Earwig and the Witch’ but with a gothic dark twist. I read the four-issues-in-one volume, where protagonist Courtney Crumrin is introduced by a goblin called Butterworth, and how she moves with her indifferent parents into the sprawling but spooky, withering mansion of her great-great-uncle Aloysius in the wealthy suburb of Hillsborough.
Courtney’s self-centered parents (hence the Matilda comparison) only care about climbing the social ladder in their new neighborhood without having to pay rent, while Courtney has all the time in the world to discover the deep, dark secrets of Hillborough, some of which are hidden within her creepy, imposing uncle’s mansion. But first, she tries to make new friends in school, which turns into her most daunting challenge. As luck would have it, Courtney learns that great-great-uncle Aloysious is a wizard and she sneaks in to learn a trick or two herself, to help ease her transition into the new place.
The artwork in ‘Courtney Crumrin and The Night Things’ is visually engaging, although it’s funny how Courtney’s character illustration doesn’t have a nose, and her eyes make her look like a sock puppet, and now that I am writing this, I realize she reminds me of Coraline, from the 2009 animated movie which was based on a dark fantasy horror novella for children by Neil Gaiman! This comic book series is aimed at a younger audience and should prove to be enjoyable for readers between the ages of 12 and 15, despite featuring some rather disturbing events portrayed in a casual manner. For instance, one of Courtney’s classmates disappears in the woods, presumably eaten by one of the night creatures, yet nobody bats an eyelid over his disappearance.
For dabbling in sorcery, to getting mixed up with evil dark creatures, Courtney sure goes on several weird adventures. She is feisty character, who prefers to keep to herself, isn’t swayed by the popular kids at school, although she does feel the need to have a friend or two. On the very first day of school, she encounters bullies and then deals with them in the most unexpected manner.
I enjoyed how the story continually presents unexpected surprises while the author subtly foreshadows them in a manner that feel cohesive. Overall, “Courtney Crumrin and The Night Things” is an entertaining read for those seeking a dark fantasy novel featuring a teen protagonist with a penchant for trouble.
Read Next: 10 Books/Series To Read for Fantasy Fiction Fans
Also Read: Wives and Daughters – Book Review (Audio Version Below)