Comics Ami Digs #1
Comic: Gunnerkrigg Court
Creator: Tom Siddell
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Gunnerkrigg Court comes in an unassuming package- a simple page with only a small about and character page to guide you, and nearly no comments at all from the author on a page by page basis. But don’t let that fool you, Gunnerkrigg Court will
capture your attention, whether you like fantasy or not, within a matter of pages, and pull you into a world so deep, mysterious, and well thought out that you will not be able to stop reading it.
You just can’t describe Gunnerkrigg Court with words alone to explain how amazingly original and beautiful this tale of mystery and mythos is. Each page is so lovingly and carefully drawn and colored, each plot point is so well thought out, every chapter leaves you hungering for more. No webcomic series I’ve read so far has hooked me so quickly and drawn me deeply into such a deep and infinitely interesting world. Reminiscent of something like a marriage of Bone and Harry Potter, Gunnerkrigg Court: Orientation follows the remarkable occurrences surrounding a young girl named Antimony Carver in her first year of school at Gunnerkrigg Court. Accompanied by her steadfast friend, Kat, and her possed stuffed animal Reynardine, she uncovers a world full of endearing characters and locations. The Court and its characters are all vaguely modern/science fiction related but also have some deep roots in world mythology and fantasy. However, it all fits together so naturally in Gunnerkrigg Court- I think it’s pulled off very well.
Ultimately, like all good stories, Gunnerkrigg Court goes above and beyond the restraints we put on it by calling it a “fantasy.” Like another now classic tale of a child in famous British boarding school, all the character have become so real and believable, that you know you’re there with them for the long haul, no matter where this journey takes them. One of my favorite parts of Gunnerkrigg Court, aside from the magical setting and characters, are the friendships, particularly those of the main character, Antimony, and her best friend Kat. These two girls share such a deep friendship and bond that’s so believable, it makes you cry and laugh right along with them.
I have a lot of respect for the artist and author, Tom Siddell. He unfailingly updates this comic Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He has a lot of dedication to his fans on the website and has put a lot of time and effort into answering questions from his loyal (and sometimes a little to obsessed) fan following. Want to find out who the other girl is in “that picture”? Or who the undefined stranger is in the “Handful of Dirt chapter? Why not check out the Gunnerkrigg Court forums, where the author himself will answer some of your questions, but certainly not all.
The book that is out now is pretty high quality – a nice heavy hardcover with lovely full-color pages. It chronicles the first year of Antimony’s time at Gunnerkrigg Court, and is nearly 300 pages long! This is the first in what I hope are many more books to come.
I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age who loves any of the following: graphic novels, fantasy, science fiction, stories of growing up, friendship, family, or adventure.
February 9, 2009 at 12:49 am | Web Comic Review | No comment