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Courtney Crumrin #5
Courtney Crumrin, Vol. 5: The Witch Next Door
The fifth volume of the award-winning graphic novel series from New York Times best-selling creator Ted Naifeh, collected in full-color softcover editions for the first time!
Courtney Crumrin doesn't have many friends, and she prefers to keep it that way. But new girl Holly Hart is on her way to discovering the magical side of Hillsborough almost exactly like Courtney did—face-first and woefully unprepared. So Courtney takes the opportunity to show Holly the ropes—just like Uncle Aloysius did for her. But it turns out Holly doesn't want her help, because she knows the real Courtney Crumrin. The one the Night Things whisper about. The one the other kids are afraid of. Will Courtney be able to convince her that she's not the vengeful witch she appears to be? Or will Holly take matters—and magic—into her own hands?
Courtney Crumrin doesn't have many friends, and she prefers to keep it that way. But new girl Holly Hart is on her way to discovering the magical side of Hillsborough almost exactly like Courtney did—face-first and woefully unprepared. So Courtney takes the opportunity to show Holly the ropes—just like Uncle Aloysius did for her. But it turns out Holly doesn't want her help, because she knows the real Courtney Crumrin. The one the Night Things whisper about. The one the other kids are afraid of. Will Courtney be able to convince her that she's not the vengeful witch she appears to be? Or will Holly take matters—and magic—into her own hands?
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2012
About the author
Ted Naifeh
204 books263 followersTed Naifeh is an American comic book writer and artist who gained notoriety for his illustrations in the goth romance comic Gloomcookie. Naifeh has since become most known as the creator of the Eisner-Award-nominated series Courtney Crumrin, published by Oni Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 23, 2023
A truly exceptional comic book series. I love it.
January 25, 2014
As usual I received this book free of charge. This time it was from NetGalley. Despite that kindness I give my candid thoughts below. Also, I wasn't lucky enough to gain access to any of the previous volumes so my out-of-context confusion will not enter into this review.
To the positive side, the content is all-ages friendly but still has some amount of depth and sense of story arc across volumes (as evidenced by my confusion starting at volume 5). It also has a wonderful sense of the grim and brings to mind Charles Addams or Betelgeuse. The artwork is vibrant, detailed and colorful.
To the negative, the narrative seems to lack detail. For those accustomed to longer-form graphic novels this seems a bit skimpy. The story seems to just fly by. The whole volume was all of half an hour including the time it took to download it.
In summary, an amusingly dark yet entertaining story that crosses age boundaries without compromise.
To the positive side, the content is all-ages friendly but still has some amount of depth and sense of story arc across volumes (as evidenced by my confusion starting at volume 5). It also has a wonderful sense of the grim and brings to mind Charles Addams or Betelgeuse. The artwork is vibrant, detailed and colorful.
To the negative, the narrative seems to lack detail. For those accustomed to longer-form graphic novels this seems a bit skimpy. The story seems to just fly by. The whole volume was all of half an hour including the time it took to download it.
In summary, an amusingly dark yet entertaining story that crosses age boundaries without compromise.
September 28, 2014
So good to have cranky little Courtney Crumrin back! I had forgotten how much I loved this series, and I'm so glad Ted Naifeh cranked out the last two books this year. There's nothing in this series that I don't love—the art, the storytelling and the characters are all fantastic.
2022 reread: This series holds up! I’m loving the reread. This volume gives a glimpse of Courtney’s acts of avenging justice from her (far from innocent) victims’ POVs. Consequences have been a long time coming, and they’re coming fast and furious by the end. Some great Aloysius rescues in this one, drawn to take your breath away.
2022 reread: This series holds up! I’m loving the reread. This volume gives a glimpse of Courtney’s acts of avenging justice from her (far from innocent) victims’ POVs. Consequences have been a long time coming, and they’re coming fast and furious by the end. Some great Aloysius rescues in this one, drawn to take your breath away.
February 3, 2015
For starters, this turned out to be the best Courtney Crumrin book I have ever read.
It circles around almost every genre of literature. Really. Brilliant storytelling coupled down with equally astonishing artwork. The new stories and quick looks to the past for back stories just fit in well with each other. You get more and more interested with the character's depth and growth, what with it being deeper and deeper. For a children's read, this title seems to be very matured and complex. It's a very very entertaining read and I advise you lot to get started with it.
I cannot contain my excitement to get on with the next volume.
It circles around almost every genre of literature. Really. Brilliant storytelling coupled down with equally astonishing artwork. The new stories and quick looks to the past for back stories just fit in well with each other. You get more and more interested with the character's depth and growth, what with it being deeper and deeper. For a children's read, this title seems to be very matured and complex. It's a very very entertaining read and I advise you lot to get started with it.
I cannot contain my excitement to get on with the next volume.
October 21, 2017
This is the fifth installment in the
interesting quote:
"Good judgment comes from dealing with the consequences of bad judgment." (p. 50)
"'You must have a conscience. How do you live with knowing what evil you've done? Knowing you'll do more?'
'I feel like a jerk. But then I get on with my life, and try not to screw up so bad the next time. We're not Faeries, Templeton. We don't have forever.'" (p. 109)
interesting quote:
"Good judgment comes from dealing with the consequences of bad judgment." (p. 50)
"'You must have a conscience. How do you live with knowing what evil you've done? Knowing you'll do more?'
'I feel like a jerk. But then I get on with my life, and try not to screw up so bad the next time. We're not Faeries, Templeton. We don't have forever.'" (p. 109)
April 22, 2026
Sooooo perfecttttttttt. Exactly what I was missing in the last book!!!
March 11, 2015
The tale is geting dark and intense. The Stakes are geting higher and the people more desperate. You simply feel that the endig is geting closer.
October 2, 2021
This volume more so than any other before highlights Courtney Crumrin's biggest flaw. It's plot lacks depth and detail, and while aimed at children primarily that doesn't excuse it from being overly simplistic in structure. The comic never develops into a story with enough weight to feel truly comfortable in its own skin.
And yet... I just really love that simplicity. It gets the the things that made Harry Potter so enjoyable as a kid, minus the inventive worldbuilding.
It never quite reaches its potential and it never develops beyond those promising first chapters, but at least its nice to see it wave more and more drama with confidence.
Don't expect the world out of it, but I greatly enjoy these books.
And yet... I just really love that simplicity. It gets the the things that made Harry Potter so enjoyable as a kid, minus the inventive worldbuilding.
It never quite reaches its potential and it never develops beyond those promising first chapters, but at least its nice to see it wave more and more drama with confidence.
Don't expect the world out of it, but I greatly enjoy these books.
April 26, 2018
This volume definitely takes a darker turn than previous installments in the series. And the ending--
October 28, 2017
3.5 stars. It has been a very long time since I have read a Courtney Crumrin book, but I remember why I really liked them.
October 11, 2017
Oh my gawwwwwwwd. This one was good but the side character, Holly, was annoying as all get out. And Courtney ended up looking like the bad guy because dumb Holly didn't like being told that she is biting way more than she can chew. Like damn. Courtney just wanted a friend, but that friend had to end up being a selfish brat and Courtney had to save her, and then she gets in trouble! The INJUSTICE of it all. Gah!
But besides Holly, this was another great book in this series. In this book we also learn more about Uncle A's history and what kind of dilemmas he is and will be facing in the next book.
But besides Holly, this was another great book in this series. In this book we also learn more about Uncle A's history and what kind of dilemmas he is and will be facing in the next book.
October 3, 2016
Just as amazing as all the others. The character of Courtney is becoming much more dimensional and we are seeing so many sides. I can't wait to read the next one.
July 12, 2025
“ Perhaps I’m a fool, but in the end, the only thing that still matters is to look in a mirror and see a man I don’t entirely despise”
During the whole series, lines like this will be dropped and I’ll have to take a pause to let it sink in. As much as this series is about the magic, it’s also about life.
This book focuses on friendship a bit more then the rest of the books. We meet Holly, Courtney’s first resemblance of a decent friend. Holly, like Courtney in book one, has to learn not to get drunk on power
Throughout the whole series, Courtney has been insane with her magic (and luck). This book really puts into perspective who she is and how she’ll do anything (even really morally gray shit) to make things “right”
During the whole series, lines like this will be dropped and I’ll have to take a pause to let it sink in. As much as this series is about the magic, it’s also about life.
This book focuses on friendship a bit more then the rest of the books. We meet Holly, Courtney’s first resemblance of a decent friend. Holly, like Courtney in book one, has to learn not to get drunk on power
Throughout the whole series, Courtney has been insane with her magic (and luck). This book really puts into perspective who she is and how she’ll do anything (even really morally gray shit) to make things “right”
June 18, 2018
Holly is moving into the neighbourhood and Courtney Crumrin has finally found someone likeminded to be around.
Adding Holly gives Courtney a chance to show a new side of herself, a more caution one (caution as in Courtney caution, so it's still pretty risky) and her everlasting, more prominent, aggressive side. Her distrust towards all humans changes a little, and even Courtney can care.
However her past actions are coming back to haunt her, and this is a clear build-up towards the final volume.
Volume 5 has the same, amazing, art style, and keeps the incredible storyline going.
Adding Holly gives Courtney a chance to show a new side of herself, a more caution one (caution as in Courtney caution, so it's still pretty risky) and her everlasting, more prominent, aggressive side. Her distrust towards all humans changes a little, and even Courtney can care.
However her past actions are coming back to haunt her, and this is a clear build-up towards the final volume.
Volume 5 has the same, amazing, art style, and keeps the incredible storyline going.
September 18, 2024
Courtney is hopeful her new neighbour Holly will be the friend she's longed for in town, but quickly finds the girl's fascination with magic throwing them into danger - and forcing Courtney and her uncle to face the consequences of her previous encounters with the realm of night things. Naifeh and Wucinich craft another engaging tale that will keep fans intrigued with every revelation as its blend of morbidity and heart rolls off every page. Will Courtney ever be able to trust someone long enough to keep them safe from the dark side of magic?
January 3, 2018
Com a chegada de Holly, parece que Courtney finalmente teria uma amiga, mas apesar de gostar muito da companhia de Holly, ela não é das melhores pessoas, por assim dizer, e Courtney tem que tomar certas providências.
Gostei muito do processo de ~dar errado~ dessa amizade, porque são coisas que acontecem na vida (talvez com mais frequência do que amizades dando certo) e crianças lendo esse livro têm um espelho para quando uma amizade delas começar a ir por água abaixo, ou até entender que não precisam aceitar situações que as deixam desconfortáveis "pelo bem da amizade".
Minha única crítica é a de sempre nos livros da Courtney Crumrin: muito curto a ponto de ter resoluções apressadas.
P.S.: Pulei o livro 4! Não tenho! =(
Gostei muito do processo de ~dar errado~ dessa amizade, porque são coisas que acontecem na vida (talvez com mais frequência do que amizades dando certo) e crianças lendo esse livro têm um espelho para quando uma amizade delas começar a ir por água abaixo, ou até entender que não precisam aceitar situações que as deixam desconfortáveis "pelo bem da amizade".
Minha única crítica é a de sempre nos livros da Courtney Crumrin: muito curto a ponto de ter resoluções apressadas.
P.S.: Pulei o livro 4! Não tenho! =(
September 27, 2020
As with the last volume, I found this one increasingly sad. It was nice to see Courtney make a friend, but then that turned bad, and then she lost her forever. The hunt was really cool to see, but finding out what happened to Templeton was tragic. And then to see the Council use her uncle against her: really, it's little wonder Courtney doesn't like people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2026
Volume 4 collected a couple of longish one-shots that didn't work for me as well as the previous mini-series, so I'm glad that Volume 5 is back to a longer, serialized story. It collects the first few issues of the Courtney Crumrin ongoing series, so there's room for the characters to stretch out and move around.
I'd love to see a huge, multi-volume, super immersive, manga-format version of this story, but that's just me wishing. The characters are great and I love that they and their relationships are allowed to change. This volume is especially good at that. The stakes are getting high and the danger is more and more serious.
I'd love to see a huge, multi-volume, super immersive, manga-format version of this story, but that's just me wishing. The characters are great and I love that they and their relationships are allowed to change. This volume is especially good at that. The stakes are getting high and the danger is more and more serious.
August 31, 2018
I feel the graphics were still not up to the standard of the start of the series, but the story isn't bad. I'm still curious to see where it goes, especially since I do have the rest of the series checked out, but I am not sure it is a series I would read again.
October 20, 2022
Another enjoyable instalment by Naifeh, with his trademark gothic style and muted colour palette. This volume raises the stakes for Courtney, however, just when she thought she had achieved a stable life.
November 18, 2025
This was my least favorite volume out of the series.
Courtney almost had a friend, but she betrays her.
I found the new character to be very unlikable!
Wish I could say more, but I can’t remember the details because it’s been a few weeks since I have read it.
Courtney almost had a friend, but she betrays her.
I found the new character to be very unlikable!
Wish I could say more, but I can’t remember the details because it’s been a few weeks since I have read it.
November 26, 2025
Courtney gains a friend in school; her new friend learns magic, misuses magic, and eventually they end up in Giblin Town where things go from horrible to very, very bad. At the same time Uncle Aloysius has his own problems with those who monitor witches' activity. A good continuation of the story.
May 17, 2017
This series is pretty good.
November 17, 2017
I almost gave this 5 stars because the second half of the book was awesome but I wasn't really into the friendship between Courtney and Holly. I cannot wait to start the next volume!
March 21, 2018
Courtney makes "friends" with the girl next door.
July 12, 2018
Slight dip in enjoyment in this one. Didn't love the new character....
January 19, 2019
Maybe not quite as good as volume Three, but it could be that, lacking Four in my library, I’m missing some important foundation. Like the aesthetic and the characters.
November 6, 2019
Awesome yet again.
October 14, 2020
This was fine. It was a volume that feels like it was just there to move us to the next one. I did like seeing Courtney interact with (and see the issues with) someone who acts kind of like she did.
February 22, 2021
l be rereading these regularly, brilliant
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews