Courtney Crumrin in Colour

According to a press release that’s just landed in my inbox, Oni Press plans to go back and re-release, in full colour, Ted Naifeh’s excellent young adult graphic novel series Courtney Crumrin. Released 10 years ago into a market that, frankly, didn’t really understand the Young Adult book category, Crumrin was thought to be too scary for kids and too ‘kiddy’ for grownups–neither of which was true then and I’m hoping that will be even more demonstrably false now.

It’s an interesting thing to see Courtney re-released, mostly because if successful, there are a host of graphic novels from just before the ‘boom’ that would likely find a much more favourable audience now. Here’s hoping.

I don’t usually do this, but I quite like this series and creator Ted Naifeh is a lovely gentleman, and so I invite you to thrill to the 5 page preview of the first volume and press release, immediately below. Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, the first volume, will be out in April; I highly recommend picking it up for yourself or for the kid who appreciates ‘spooky’ things in your life.

– Chris

PR: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12.20.2011

COURTNEY CRUMRIN IN COLOR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW SPECIAL EDITION HARDCOVER REPRINTS

Ten years ago Oni Press brought fans the magical world of Ted Naifeh’s Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things. The series quickly became a favorite amongst fans, enticing new readers to comics while giving existing comic book aficionados something new and fresh to get excited about. Spending a decade amongst the goblins and ghouls is a tall order for any girl, but one that Courtney is more than equipped to handle. To celebrate her 10th anniversary, Oni Press will be reprinting Naifeh’s perennial series as special edition prestige hardcovers. And, for the first time in Courtney’s history, fans will get to see their favorite spell slinger in full color!

Courtney Crumrin, Volume 1: The Night Things, Special Edition will be on store shelves April, 2012. Volume 1 kickstarts a full reprint program with new colored special edition hardcovers of all the original Courtney Crumrin books to follow. Naifeh has returned to his beloved series to remaster the material, working closely with colorist Warren Wucinich (Rascal Raccoon’s Raging Revenge, Jam!) to create a spooky palette that accentuates what everyone loved about the original black-and-white art while providing a completely different way of seeing Naifeh’s fully realized world.

“Readers love Courtney Crumrin for how vividly Ted renders the magical world he has dreamed up,” said Oni Press editor Jill Beaton. “The original versions were wonderful and Ted is one of those cartoonists who really understands how to use black ink on a white page. Despite the level of detail, he avoided over-rendering his drawings, meaning that the work is still open and has room to breathe. It also means there is space for color. Warren is highlighting what is already there, filling in an extra dimension that previously was left to the reader.”

In addition to the color treatment, Oni Press’ art director, Keith Wood, is pulling out all the stops to make the Courtney Crumrin, Volume 1: The Night Things, Special Edition truly special. “In talking with Ted about what we wanted to do with the hardcover,” Wood said, “he told me that it should look like a book you’d find on Uncle Aloysius’ bookshelf, something Courtney might stumble on when snooping around his office. It’s going to be a cool object as well as a good read.”

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with Courtney Crumrin,” concluded Ted Naifeh. “It’s been ten wonderful, creative years, and I’m happy to have done it at Oni Press. The fans have shown us tremendous support, and I hope they will enjoy the chance to relive these adventures with a brand-new hue.”

Courtney Crumrin, Volume 1: The Night Things, Special Edition features a special silver ink, embossed cover, and an old-fashioned ribbon bookmark placed in the sewn spine. The 136-page, 6” x 9”, graphic novel will retail for $19.99 and debuts April 2012.

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