Courtney Crumrin (Oni Press)

Written & illustrated by: Ted Naifeh
Holly Hart is a young girl, a tween, who moves to a new town thanks to the success of her father's recent novel, a political thriller that it is hinted was little more than hack work. Their new house is next to a rather Adams Family looking mansion belonging to Professor Crumrin and his niece Courtney. Holly soon finds herself taking up with Courtney after a supernatural encounter in the local woods. Courtney, much to Holly's delight, is actually a witch. Courtney, rather taken by having somebody who wishes to spend time with her, begins to teach Holly  how to cast spells. Thus begins the downfall of Holly Hart.


All ages comics, whatever has become of you? It seems like the American comic industry is little interested in pursuing the next generation of comic fans, intent instead to weigh down ever more ludicrous super-hero icons with more violence and sex than the concepts where ever designed to hold, in order to cater for an audience of (mainly) men who have never grown up, but like selfish children wish to keep hold of their toys and not let anybody else have them, demanding that The Avengers, Spider-Man, Batman or whoever speak to them and their lives at 42 in the same way they did when they were 12.

At least there are some in the industry trying to produce work accessible to all ages, and behind a cover that puts one in mind of Mike Mignola's Hellboy lurks this charming and entertaining comic. Ted Naifeh's art is cartoonish enough so that the supernatural elements feel more like creatures from Scooby Doo than from Stephen King, which is ideal in this context. Storywise there is enough meat here to keep readers young and old enthralled, with clearly defined characters, a subplot concerning the possible demise of Courtney's uncle, and revelations at the conclusion of the issue that make you want to read the next issue as soon as possible. I particularly like Holly's first choice of spell to learn which is one to make her the most poular kid in school. For somebody who has always been an outsider, looking enviously on at the kids who belonged, this would surely be the first thing you would leap upon. Whilst in the story it seems to show a certain shallowness of character, I think it also shows the very strong desire all humans have to want to belong to something.

All in all if you like good fantasy stories well told then you should certainly take a look at Courtney Crumrin, safe in the knowledge that you can also read it together with your children.