Sparkling Carver

With its echoes of Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket (and with Neil Gaiman, no less, as its high-profile cheerleader) Tom Siddell's Gunnerkrigg Court is an enchanting webcomic of considerable appeal to young and old alike. Hitchcockian in tone and rich in fantasy, alchemical and mythological motifs, the series follows young Antimony Carver, a new arrival at the mysterious British boarding school who soon becomes embroiled in intrigues both mystical and political. Drawing from such diverse influences as Manga, Jamie Hewlett and Mike Mignola, Siddell's artwork, with its simple character designs and limited colour palette, forges a potent atmosphere for the school's haunting shenanigans.