Courtney Crumrin & the Night Things

In this 2002 debut from Oni Press, Ted Naifeh introduces a young girl named Courtney Crumrin, who moves in with her mysterious uncle and discovers a hidden world of dark, magical creatures lurking just out of sight. Over just two issues, Naifeh establishes Courtney as a sharp, resourceful protagonist navigating eerie fairy-tale horrors and family secrets. The series launched a beloved ongoing franchise, setting the tone for Naifeh's gothic, character-driven storytelling that would define Courtney’s later adventures.