Ted Naifeh most people fans don’t know him despite his wide range of contributions, especially for young girls. Debuting as an artist for the gothic subculture, he grows into his own creator after some insights. It came pretty natural with friends like Serena Valentino and Tristan Crane, whose work show the depths of real people. If anything it’s like growing up a second time while acting as your own parent. But where does it all start?
Ted Naifeh: Early Goth Phase
Naifeh’s early work in the goth subculture is about respect and satire. Most people find this culture as a form of delinquency. It’s really just an art style derived from Goth Rock and its themes of openness. Think of Tim Burton’s movies such as Corpse Bride. It’s little surprise that Naifeh pushes that narrative theme in How Loathesome, a story of attraction from a transgender. Still such a nihilistic outlook doesn’t feel right, especially if this means going back to drug addictions. I mean if Death Jr. is any clue, taking a few steps back on a bleak perspective can change everything.
So Naifeh decides to make a narrative transition with his Eisner winning series Courtney Crumrin and The Night Things. The titular character is an apathetic preadolescent girl who finds passion in magic through her great-grand uncle. Unfortunately both her mundane and magical life are anything but open. Again though, she prefers to keep to herself until loneliness sets in. That is why gatekeeping is looked down upon in gothic subculture. Anyone who does follow anything like that is both toxic and self-serving. For a girl growing up, that’s why it’s important to be open-minded to new experiences and effort. That subject alone is a reoccurring theme in Naifeh’s subsequent work.
Breaking the Preconception
While leaving behind the doom and gloom, openness is a universal truth for any coming-of-age story. While entering adolescence was crucial in Courtney Crumrin, Polly and the Pirates is about being an adolescent. Polly was certain about her place in life as an aristocrat. Having her basic needs covered by her father’s wealth made her vain. It also didn’t help that her father omitted some things about her mother. As it turns out Polly’s mother is actually the missing pirate queen. Polly soon discovers by chance her inheritance from her mother such as skills and a loyal crew. This life of adventure certainly seems better for Polly; it just seems strange how Princess Ugg inverts this premise.
Princess Ulga hails from a barbarian tribe but on her mother’s request she goes to Princess Academy. While a life of adventure and conquest can be liberating, being the only way of life is self-destructive. So Ulga’s mother hopes that her daughter can learn diplomacy. Unfortunately the other princesses are more interested in grace, glamor, and social hierarchy. Trying to open up in such a toxic environment seems like a betrayal of the point. But diplomacy isn’t about getting your way, it’s about finding a point to connect to. Ulga finds that in the few people she does connect with like her history teacher. That is actually the very reason why Ted Naifeh goes into this shared premise.
Living in any preconceptions and trying to force it on others is nothing short of toxic. It leaves people blind to the realities of the world around them. It’s one thing to be inspired by fantasies but tunnel vision is living a lie. The worst realization however comes from how even adults fall into these traps.
Ted Naifeh Has No More Little Girls
Being an adult means having responsibilities, but taking on others’ responsibilities is a sign of immaturity. Something as so simple as a Dungeons & Dragons campaign can give off the wrong impression. Night’s Dominion is this idea brought to life and how every action has consequences. Emerane the thief is desperate to get by in a city that has its riches guarded by a cult. So she joins an adventurer party… where they end up making things worse. The second season has a group of assassins take power. Everyone wants to believe that they’re the hero in a battle against the rich. But such a narrow approach provides tunnel vision. This series looks more like something for fun than anything else.
But having fun doesn’t have to mean it’s not meaningful. It’s that fight for meaning that Naifeh leaves “Oni Press” to do Heroines at “Space Goat Publishing”. No alternative publisher wants to compete with established franchises like Marvel or DC. All of the achievements/hardships gathered in a lifetime can’t guarantee people will bend a knee for you. Sometimes it’s best to take matters into your own hands. Especially if that means filling an important niche. An all-female superhero team are looking to get out of their preconceptions. Sexy poses give way to meaningful body language in this romp. But even the people who support you will let you down. Especially if those supporters do shady things behind the scenes.
Ted Naifeh is a Big Boy
With Space Goat Publishing going under, Naifeh has to go back to Oni Press. A loss of trust can lead to a loss of motivation. Which is what Naifeh struggles with during the second and third seasons of Night’s Dominion. While there is some hope to be found, Naifeh chooses to take some steps back to reexamine himself. This results in a return-to-form tale, Kriss: The Gift of Wrath. This title stars a male lead who Naifeh channels himself into.
Kriss is an embodiment of all the disappointment and aggression Naifeh builds up. Kriss’ only friend Anja meanwhile represents Naifeh’s original messages of openness and understanding. Unfortunately, for the first in a long time, that same openness has left an empty void. Such optimism becomes a drug both creator and character are dependent on. Rather than a gothic series, this is an emotive series about insecurities and sensitivity. For Naifeh at least, it’s about letting go of false hope and taking a break from work. Sometimes it’s best to wind down and enjoy life in the real world.
Here’s To Braving A New Cycle
Not that Ted Naifeh can stay away from doing what he loves, even if it can never be the same. After taking time to take care of himself, Naifeh decides to forego single issues in favor of graphic novels. The first is a return to the Crumrin setting. But instead of Courtney, who has long completed her journey; The Crumrin Chronicles focuses on her new brother Will. Look it’s complicated unless you read the original series.
Will’s story is the struggle to fit in after being in the fantasy version of a coma. But now the fantastic and mundane worlds are completely foreign to him. Which doesn’t help Will because both worlds are closer than people think. So now he and a few foils have to navigate a world that was once familiar to them. Complete with new rules and actions to survive.
The same applies to Witch For Hire, where fitting in becomes a game of cat and mouse. The titular witch Faye is much like Courtney, comfortable in her magical space. Faye thought she knew everything about magic. That is until magic starts to change, first manifesting in a supernatural Momo Challenge. Thus forcing Faye to find friends to band together to navigate this new world. Because having a friend makes dealing with oppressive realities just a little easier.
Other Stuff
Before I forget, Ted Naifeh has been involved in a few other projects. Like the Good Neighbors trilogy for Scholastic. That’s the biggest possible audience in comics people. But the ones people won’t know as well involves Interpop. Well more specifically its superhero theatre club like Coax and Cornerstone. They as well as the eccentric figure Zeroth all show off Naifeh’s storytelling strengths. Just don’t expect to own anything from him unless you’re ready to fork over a pretty penny.
Ted Naifeh: Coming Of Age Comes In Cycles
When it comes to preconceptions, it’s best to break cultures down to their basest elements. It’s only by understanding them that the imaginary barriers can fade away. Reading comics the way Naifeh writes them is what helps people feel like kids again. Not because of escapism from the real world however, but a chance to mature even further. Because being a kid at heart means becoming a better adult. Some people have to do this constantly as they will never be the same kid as before. But that’s okay; that just means they learn more about themselves.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always, remember to look between the panels.