08/12/2005 12:58 PM
Posted by VeggieSteph

Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics

Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics is the second graphic novel in the Courtney story. I had looked forward to getting this next story ever since I finished the first one. I hounded Pandabob for at least a month to get back to Titan comics and get me the next one. I even held on to it a bit after he brough it home, because I was so afraid it wouldn't be as good as the first story. I wasn’t disappointed at all. In fact, this one is even better than the first.


This time around, Courtney is farther along in her occult and witchcraft studies with her uncle, but she isn’t doing too well in regular school. She is just another one of those gifted kids who just don’t care about anything that doesn’t challenge her. One night a group of men comes to her Uncle’s house and they ask him to help kill a beastie (who turns out to be a great evil, scary Night Thing, and a good character). In poking her nose in, she uncovers a conspiracy that leads to the top of the witches' coven. I love her views on the witch politics. The character has grown quite a bit, so you get to see a tough side and a bit of a softer side this time around. You learn that it's not a good idea to double-cross her or her family.

I like where this story is going. Courtney is becoming more than just a snarky little girl. She has much more complex feelings in this story, and you can see just how much she has grown in the short time between stories. The art is still very good, the language is believable, and he even throws in a bit of feminist, girl power social commentary. Seems like it’s time to start hounding Pandabob again for the next story…