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geekydrea's review against another edition
4.0
More like 4.75
I got an arc from netgalley. I loved the full color illustrations and can't wait to see what the whole volume looks like in color.
Full review at: http://bookblather.net/?p=4403
I got an arc from netgalley. I loved the full color illustrations and can't wait to see what the whole volume looks like in color.
Full review at: http://bookblather.net/?p=4403
mackle13's review against another edition
4.0
I had already read this book in the original black & white, but when I saw they had released a color edition I squeeled in delight and just had to have it - and my wonderful husband obliged me. :>
First, for the art, the colors do wonderful things. One of the, erm, issues with Naifeh's art is that a lot of it is similar and I sometimes find it hard to differentiate things. The color both helps create depth and detail, as well as just bringing the images to life. 4.5 stars.
As to the stories - some of them were more abrupt than I remembered but I still, overall, really like the world and the characters. Well, by characters I mean Courtney and Uncle A. Everyone else kind of sucks - but that's sort of the point. But I wish there was a bit more to some of the stories - they could stand to be longer, to develop more. The stories I'll give a 3 - 3.5, depending.
I will say I'd forgotten how dark the stories were. I don't mean the scary house, and magic and goblins and things - those I remembered. I mean when
Also, in the story with the changeling baby, Courtney fails to save the baby and Uncle A is like "These things happen, Courtney. I wouldn't let it bother you too much."
(Please note I'm paraphrasing, as I don't have the book in front of me... )
So, yeah, it's not that I'd minded or anything, and it adds a level of cynical reality to the stories - I was just sort of surprised that I'd forgotten... which I guess, in a way, is rather fitting. Heh.
Anyway - I really enjoy this series, and I'm very happy they've gotten a full color make-over. ^_^
First, for the art, the colors do wonderful things. One of the, erm, issues with Naifeh's art is that a lot of it is similar and I sometimes find it hard to differentiate things. The color both helps create depth and detail, as well as just bringing the images to life. 4.5 stars.
As to the stories - some of them were more abrupt than I remembered but I still, overall, really like the world and the characters. Well, by characters I mean Courtney and Uncle A. Everyone else kind of sucks - but that's sort of the point. But I wish there was a bit more to some of the stories - they could stand to be longer, to develop more. The stories I'll give a 3 - 3.5, depending.
I will say I'd forgotten how dark the stories were. I don't mean the scary house, and magic and goblins and things - those I remembered. I mean when
Spoiler
Courtney's 'friend' in the first story gets eaten, and the narrator just says something like "And, well, no one missed him much, sad to say, and Courtney did have other things on her mind".Also, in the story with the changeling baby, Courtney fails to save the baby and Uncle A is like "These things happen, Courtney. I wouldn't let it bother you too much."
(Please note I'm paraphrasing, as I don't have the book in front of me... )
So, yeah, it's not that I'd minded or anything, and it adds a level of cynical reality to the stories - I was just sort of surprised that I'd forgotten... which I guess, in a way, is rather fitting. Heh.
Anyway - I really enjoy this series, and I'm very happy they've gotten a full color make-over. ^_^
jmanchester0's review against another edition
4.0
I thought volume 1 of Courtney Crumrin was an interesting read. It's the kind of book I want to read again to pick up what I missed - to spend a little more time with the art on each panel. And I think I'm going to have to check out the later volumes. Courtney's story is an intriguing one - one that I think I can share with my daughter, and hopefully build in her the same love of comics that I have. It's a little dark, but in a fun way. And I think it's perfect for the pre-teen age.
_michelle_'s review against another edition
2.0
Entertaining enough, but there isn't any explanation to the how or why. Courtney's uncle is rude to everyone, but starts liking her out of the blue; at one point, Courtney is playing dice with a monster that once freaked her out. How she became friends with her uncle or it, I'll never know. Where all the monsters come from, and what drives them, I don't know. This is book #1, and it did a poor job of laying a foundation.
grilledcheesesamurai's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why it took me so long to read this. I mean, I knew who Courtney Crumrin was, I was aware of her existence, of this book(s), I was even intrigued. despite that, I just never took the time to actually read any of this series.
For some reason, the other day (I think it was actually a Comixology sale?) I all of a sudden found myself finally reading this. Even weirder - I found myself not only really enjoying it, but forcing myself to slow down and not read it all in one sitting. I wanted to at least get two sittings out of it.
I loved the character of, Courtney. I loved the dynamic she had with her family and I absolutely loved the art. I just found the whole thing charming and a delight to read. It's the perfect pallet cleanser when you just want to sit back and...enjoy.
I will most definitely be carrying on with the rest of the books. :)
For some reason, the other day (I think it was actually a Comixology sale?) I all of a sudden found myself finally reading this. Even weirder - I found myself not only really enjoying it, but forcing myself to slow down and not read it all in one sitting. I wanted to at least get two sittings out of it.
I loved the character of, Courtney. I loved the dynamic she had with her family and I absolutely loved the art. I just found the whole thing charming and a delight to read. It's the perfect pallet cleanser when you just want to sit back and...enjoy.
I will most definitely be carrying on with the rest of the books. :)
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
gloomy house + dark fairy magic fueled teenage follies!
kassy25's review against another edition
3.0
This was very different and it was ok. It was not my favorite graphic novel but it wasn't terrible. I was hoping for more I an explanation on Courtney being a witch and her being able to cast spells. But it might be further explained in the other books.
brookworm's review against another edition
2.0
This was odd.... and not quite what I expected. I think I was hoping for more of a story based around courtney & her uncle's relationship and the passing down of special knowledge. Alas... maybe other readers will enjoy its super peculiarity.
shenema's review against another edition
3.0
Non male come primo numero, soprattutto la terza storia; non aspetto con ansia il film ma sono sicuramente curiosa di leggere i capitoli successivi.
rosepetals1984's review against another edition
3.0
"Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things: Volume 1" is rife with dark humor and imaginative interactions, much of which I enjoyed for the most part. I wouldn't say it's the most engaging comic I've ever come across for its genre, but it is entertaining for an introductory read, and one I'd likely continue to see what happens.
The titular protagonist is a young girl who, along with her parents, goes to live with her strange, but oddly alluring uncle. From there, Courtney has to deal with a little more than the average new girl. When you live in a town full of creepy things - talking cats, changelings, goblins, beasts, among others - it's a little more than the average kid can handle. Courtney, on the contrary, seems to embrace the weirdness in her new life with a smart, snarky attitude, and she isn't afraid to fight back. In retrospect, I found that I liked Courtney's character and was willing to follow her through her respective encounters.
Despite places where the commonplace humor is a bit forced and cheesy, the story does have decent dark humor and situational focus. The episodic pursuits Courtney finds herself within are interesting, from one instance of magic gone wrong (when Courtney tries to fit in with her peers and ends up getting *too* much attention) to dealing with a doppelganger attempting to steal her identity. Those elements drew me in, though I'll admit that I wasn't necessarily drawn to many of the characters in this work other than Courtney and her uncle. I think that's probably the story's major Achilles heel, because the characters don't draw you into the work, and most of them (other than Courtney and her uncle) aren't even around long enough for you to get to know them.
The art style is appealing, particularly in its darker, convoluted stylings. I liked both the full color and B&W panels the graphic novel showcased.
It feels like the kind of story suited for those who like Grimm's Fairy Tales (especially in places where the story gives off a dark contrast) and those who like the paranormal in an episodic format may find the interactions among different creatures fun. Despite the age recommendation of 7 and up, I would say that this story is probably better suited for elder teens.
Overall score: 3/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Oni Press.
The titular protagonist is a young girl who, along with her parents, goes to live with her strange, but oddly alluring uncle. From there, Courtney has to deal with a little more than the average new girl. When you live in a town full of creepy things - talking cats, changelings, goblins, beasts, among others - it's a little more than the average kid can handle. Courtney, on the contrary, seems to embrace the weirdness in her new life with a smart, snarky attitude, and she isn't afraid to fight back. In retrospect, I found that I liked Courtney's character and was willing to follow her through her respective encounters.
Despite places where the commonplace humor is a bit forced and cheesy, the story does have decent dark humor and situational focus. The episodic pursuits Courtney finds herself within are interesting, from one instance of magic gone wrong (when Courtney tries to fit in with her peers and ends up getting *too* much attention) to dealing with a doppelganger attempting to steal her identity. Those elements drew me in, though I'll admit that I wasn't necessarily drawn to many of the characters in this work other than Courtney and her uncle. I think that's probably the story's major Achilles heel, because the characters don't draw you into the work, and most of them (other than Courtney and her uncle) aren't even around long enough for you to get to know them.
The art style is appealing, particularly in its darker, convoluted stylings. I liked both the full color and B&W panels the graphic novel showcased.
It feels like the kind of story suited for those who like Grimm's Fairy Tales (especially in places where the story gives off a dark contrast) and those who like the paranormal in an episodic format may find the interactions among different creatures fun. Despite the age recommendation of 7 and up, I would say that this story is probably better suited for elder teens.
Overall score: 3/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Oni Press.