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Check, Please!
Check, Please!
Eric Bittle—former Georgia junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and amateur pâtissier—is starting his freshman year playing hockey at the prestigious Samwell University in Samwell, Massachusetts. And it’s basically nothing like co-ed club hockey back in the South. For one?
There’s checking.
It’s a story about hockey and friendship and bros and trying to find yourself during the best 4 years of your life.
There’s checking.
It’s a story about hockey and friendship and bros and trying to find yourself during the best 4 years of your life.
ebook
First published August 8, 2014
About the author
Ngozi Ukazu
23 books1,241 followersNgozi Ukazu is an American cartoonist and graphic novelist. She is the author of the online graphic novel series Check, Please!. She studied at Yale University and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 1, 2018
did I read this because I miss my Foxhole Court sports gays? no
November 21, 2019
Y'all, guess who once spent all day binging this online webcomic ONLY TO FIND OUT IT'S NOT COMPLETE YET? I am a fool. Please send help. I can't wait for the next update.
Also please go read this webcomic because it's one of my favorite things ever.
(The full (yet incomplete!) webcomic is free online, btw! This rating is listed for one of the graphic adaptations, but really I'm rating the webcomic as a whole.)
Also please go read this webcomic because it's one of my favorite things ever.
(The full (yet incomplete!) webcomic is free online, btw! This rating is listed for one of the graphic adaptations, but really I'm rating the webcomic as a whole.)
March 6, 2017
Some of my favorite stories feature a good amount of angst, moral greyness and Bad Things, and I honestly don't think I could ever give that up.
But sometimes you need to immerse yourself in a world that's positive and that shows you that good things can exist, and not everything has to be complicated (irl and in literature) to be good.
Check, Please! is thebook comic that has reminded me of this.
There is only one key word here: healthy.
This is by no means set in a fictional world where Bad Things don't happen, but they (have) happen(ed) off-screen and the relationships portrayed are actual goals.
The story follows Bittle, ex figure skater (can you hear my heartbeat?) turned hockey player, as he joins his new university team. Everyone on the team is all kinds of 'swawsome (that's a word) and they make him feel welcome.
Later on, love blooms between the protagonist and one of his teammates and the way their relationship is shown could be renamed "Healthy relationship 101". It shows all kinds of different situation that normally (in most media) would be the origin of some drama, and instead turns them into a teaching moment (without being patronizing). Because, guess what, most situations are easily dealt with through communication!
That's basically what this whole story is, it's obviously very character driven (I live for those) and it can fill your whole day with positivity, which is only a good thing until you're forced to face reality again.
Other things I loved were both the art (it's just so adorable and colorful and every drawing has a ton of tiny details - I'm sure it takes a lot of time to draw each one!) and the humor (even though sometimes it references something of American culture -I suppose?- that I'm not familiar with, so I don't get every single joke, but it didn't bother me).
Oh, have I mentioned the story is completely free on Tumblr?? It's also not over yet (this review is written after the episode "Dinner at Marty's?") and I absolutely can't wait to read the next update!
If this ever goes into printing I'm also definitely buying it because this artist deserves to be supported.
Also side notes for my AFTG/The Foxhole Court fellows (kinda spoilers below for that series):
But sometimes you need to immerse yourself in a world that's positive and that shows you that good things can exist, and not everything has to be complicated (irl and in literature) to be good.
Check, Please! is the
There is only one key word here: healthy.
This is by no means set in a fictional world where Bad Things don't happen, but they (have) happen(ed) off-screen and the relationships portrayed are actual goals.
The story follows Bittle, ex figure skater (can you hear my heartbeat?) turned hockey player, as he joins his new university team. Everyone on the team is all kinds of 'swawsome (that's a word) and they make him feel welcome.
Later on, love blooms between the protagonist and one of his teammates and the way their relationship is shown could be renamed "Healthy relationship 101". It shows all kinds of different situation that normally (in most media) would be the origin of some drama, and instead turns them into a teaching moment (without being patronizing). Because, guess what, most situations are easily dealt with through communication!
That's basically what this whole story is, it's obviously very character driven (I live for those) and it can fill your whole day with positivity, which is only a good thing until you're forced to face reality again.
Other things I loved were both the art (it's just so adorable and colorful and every drawing has a ton of tiny details - I'm sure it takes a lot of time to draw each one!) and the humor (even though sometimes it references something of American culture -I suppose?- that I'm not familiar with, so I don't get every single joke, but it didn't bother me).
Oh, have I mentioned the story is completely free on Tumblr?? It's also not over yet (this review is written after the episode "Dinner at Marty's?") and I absolutely can't wait to read the next update!
If this ever goes into printing I'm also definitely buying it because this artist deserves to be supported.
Also side notes for my AFTG/The Foxhole Court fellows (kinda spoilers below for that series):
Read
March 21, 2016So, y'all. If someone had told me in January that one of the most wonderful graphic novels I had ever read involved a team of hockey players at a small (fictional) Massachusetts liberal arts college? Told from the point of view of a first-year player who's from Georgia and loves baking pies? I probably would have laughed you out of the room.
... and then I read the webcomic.
It is my new favorite thing. I love everything about this thing. Including its canon gay couple, the casual diversity of its cast of characters, and the fact that I still don't have to know or care about hockey in any way to love the hell out of the story and its people.
Go now: http://omgcheckplease.tumblr.com/post.... The world will still be here when you get back. And the door to OMGCP fanfic and fanart will open to you.
... and then I read the webcomic.
It is my new favorite thing. I love everything about this thing. Including its canon gay couple, the casual diversity of its cast of characters, and the fact that I still don't have to know or care about hockey in any way to love the hell out of the story and its people.
Go now: http://omgcheckplease.tumblr.com/post.... The world will still be here when you get back. And the door to OMGCP fanfic and fanart will open to you.
Read
September 21, 2015I got the first volume of this at SPX this weekend and read it on the subway in to the office this morning -- and I'm having to exercise restraint to do work right now instead of starting to read part two online!
August 31, 2020
3.5 stars
this was... very possibly the weirdest thing I have ever read, and I didn't understand half of hat was going on, but yet somehow I loved this a LOT
this was... very possibly the weirdest thing I have ever read, and I didn't understand half of hat was going on, but yet somehow I loved this a LOT
December 25, 2016
Updated. Bitty and Jack are the cutest. I love how everyone is supporting them. The fine jar is funny. I love this comic. :)
Update. I just read the latest additions, and I love it more and more. It's awesome how everyone is still so involved even though some have graduated. Jack & Bitty are adorable. The diner scene is great. I'll continue to follow this comic. ♥︎
I'm in love with this comic. I've read seasons 1, 2, the outtakes/extras and what's up so far for 3. The characters are so cute and fun. There's hockey plays, pie baking, friendship bonds being formed, college parties. It's all great. The graphics are exceptional, and since it's online occasionally the reader even gets a moving bit inside a pic. The storyline kept my interest, and the extras are really funny and sort of educational. I will definitely continue to follow this comic.
Update. I just read the latest additions, and I love it more and more. It's awesome how everyone is still so involved even though some have graduated. Jack & Bitty are adorable. The diner scene is great. I'll continue to follow this comic. ♥︎
I'm in love with this comic. I've read seasons 1, 2, the outtakes/extras and what's up so far for 3. The characters are so cute and fun. There's hockey plays, pie baking, friendship bonds being formed, college parties. It's all great. The graphics are exceptional, and since it's online occasionally the reader even gets a moving bit inside a pic. The storyline kept my interest, and the extras are really funny and sort of educational. I will definitely continue to follow this comic.
April 8, 2017
I read this religiously! There is so much packed into each panel of comic. And boy has she done her research on Hockey and New England. Very slow build to the main characters relationship. So much detail that leaves clues about deeper meaning. I found it on Tumblr and now I support the artist on Patreon.
May 21, 2022
hockey. baking. queer people. sappy emotions. literally what else is there. it’s perfect go read it
June 20, 2020
**Read for #LgbtqMonth, prompt: free, & Jordan Ford's Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Prompt: 21. A book written by an author of color**
The perfect blend of adorable, angsty, right in the feels and funny. Full of hockey and bro stuff, as expected, followed by pies, friendship, loyalty, love, shenanigans and college stress.
If this was on ao3 the tags would be:
- college au
- hockey au
- found family
- bros being bros
- enemies to friends to lovers
- lots of baking
- where are all the pies coming from
- seriously
- frat house
- minor angst with a happy ending
- hurt/comfort
- baby!Chowder
- Wicks and Ollie
- vlogging
- fluff
- a domestic frat house??
The perfect blend of adorable, angsty, right in the feels and funny. Full of hockey and bro stuff, as expected, followed by pies, friendship, loyalty, love, shenanigans and college stress.
If this was on ao3 the tags would be:
- college au
- hockey au
- found family
- bros being bros
- enemies to friends to lovers
- lots of baking
- where are all the pies coming from
- seriously
- frat house
- minor angst with a happy ending
- hurt/comfort
- baby!Chowder
- Wicks and Ollie
- vlogging
- fluff
- a domestic frat house??
February 6, 2018
Ongoing webseries. Cute and adorable, sometimes a bit confusing because the episodes are more everyday moments than a linear story. But it warms your heart and brings many smiles.
☆ SEASON 1: FRESHMAN YEAR - 3 stars
☆ SEASON 2: SOPHOMORE YEAR - 3.5 stars
☆ SEASON 3: JUNIOR YEAR - 4 stars
☆ SEASON 4: SENIOR YEAR - awaiting !
☆ SEASON 1: FRESHMAN YEAR - 3 stars
☆ SEASON 2: SOPHOMORE YEAR - 3.5 stars
☆ SEASON 3: JUNIOR YEAR - 4 stars
☆ SEASON 4: SENIOR YEAR - awaiting !
September 11, 2020
Lo empecé ayer con la intención de leer uno o dos capítulos pero parece que no tengo ninguna clase de control sobre mi y acabé leyendo toda la serie...🤦♀️ No es que me arrepienta de nada tampoco. 😂
Mi opinión general se resume muy bien así:
Check, Please! ha estado en mi estante de libros que quiero leer ya por algún tiempo, me alegra haberlo leído finalmente. Es una historia bonita, con personajes adorables y con algunos momentos dramáticos que enriquecen el desarrollo. Creo que se puede decir que es una "comedia romántica" con algunas licencias tomadas, y como uno de mis géneros predilectos me gustó muchísimo y espero leer más de su creadora.
Mi opinión general se resume muy bien así:
Check, Please! ha estado en mi estante de libros que quiero leer ya por algún tiempo, me alegra haberlo leído finalmente. Es una historia bonita, con personajes adorables y con algunos momentos dramáticos que enriquecen el desarrollo. Creo que se puede decir que es una "comedia romántica" con algunas licencias tomadas, y como uno de mis géneros predilectos me gustó muchísimo y espero leer más de su creadora.
January 22, 2019
I didn't know what to expect from Check, Please! at all, besides hockey and cuteness. That's exactly what I got! This story is completely adorable. I love that Bitty bakes! I love the concept of him being a vlogger and starting off a lot of the episodes talking to his viewers explaining what is going on in his life. It makes for a very easy and fun storytelling device.
The short parts where they teach you some hockey slang were a super enjoyable extra to it all.
I hope this story updates soon!
The short parts where they teach you some hockey slang were a super enjoyable extra to it all.
I hope this story updates soon!
May 10, 2021
i read this in less than three hours, i was obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (of course tears were shed at the end because it is the most adorable and CUTEST comic ever)
April 12, 2020
I can't believe yet it ended, this was one of my very first webcomics
March 6, 2017
So I've caught up. It's amazing. I cried.
Please read this comic!
Please read this comic!
November 14, 2017
god, I LOVE this. but it's not finished yet so i'm not going to give an official review.
but if you like precious cinnamon rolls, sports, bromance, and GAY romance you should read this. it's amazing.
but if you like precious cinnamon rolls, sports, bromance, and GAY romance you should read this. it's amazing.
August 5, 2016
it's sooo adorable, i can't stop smiling!!!
February 14, 2022
I remember the first day I started reading this, I was off sick from college and found it on tumblr and read through it to catch up to the current release. Then I continued to read it through uni and I ended up graduating uni at the same time as Bitty did in the comic. It felt like we did it together and that just felt so nice and I have a weird connection to this now.
January 30, 2018
I just want y'all to know that I have literally never loved something as much as I love this webcomic. I'm sitting here with the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face. This thing is too pure. Bitty is the most adorable character ever and reminds me of Ned from Pushing Daisies so much. I love me some pie-baking boys.
And hello, yes, as somebody who is an actual avid hockey fan, can I just take a moment to screech loudly for all the real-life hockey references and the accuracy of the "Hockey Shit" segments. They're painfully truthful and I'm just so happy the creator(s) of the webcomic actually know what they're talking about.
Gah. I just love this with all of my heart. Thanks @ the universe for blessing me with these soft, canonically gay hockey boys.
And hello, yes, as somebody who is an actual avid hockey fan, can I just take a moment to screech loudly for all the real-life hockey references and the accuracy of the "Hockey Shit" segments. They're painfully truthful and I'm just so happy the creator(s) of the webcomic actually know what they're talking about.
Gah. I just love this with all of my heart. Thanks @ the universe for blessing me with these soft, canonically gay hockey boys.
February 28, 2016
I don't have a hard copy of this, but I feel like a webcomic is as valid as a graphic novel, so I'm counting it on goodreads. (Also I'd love a trade paperback of this, like Nimona!)
I read this all in one sitting last night while also half-watching The 100, so I had some serious emotional whiplash. It's SO GOOD, so funny and cute and full of feelings. I love all the characters, but especially Bitty and Jack. When I got to the end I kept hitting Next thinking it was a glitch that it wasn't going anywhere...augh! I need to know what happens next.
I read this all in one sitting last night while also half-watching The 100, so I had some serious emotional whiplash. It's SO GOOD, so funny and cute and full of feelings. I love all the characters, but especially Bitty and Jack. When I got to the end I kept hitting Next thinking it was a glitch that it wasn't going anywhere...augh! I need to know what happens next.
July 1, 2016
So technically this webcomic is still ongoing, but after two-ish hours of reading, I've caught up to the story and am currently waiting on the seventh installment of the year three comic. I have to say, I didn't think I was going to fall in love with this so heavily - or even at all! I'm a fat introvert who plays videogames and reads books - this a webcomic about outgoing ice hockey players. Like, come on, I've avoided sport since I could walk, would I really like a book that revolves around a sport? Well yes, apparently I do. Check, Please! is amazing, and definitely worth a read.
March 26, 2016
This is ADORABLE. :D
January 6, 2022
SJJDND I FORGOT THAT I READ THIS LAST YEAR ANYWAYS WHAT A BEAUT.
Check please was just … kind of okay but the dead fandom got me thru a levels like nurseydex is good, patater is good and shitty knight just has a cool name like dayum shitty knight.
I will say that for what it’s worth I think OMGCP has my favourite portrayal of the strong silent but secretly quite tender and a bit dorky love interest. Like Jack is just fully realised in a very sweet way?? Not even Pride and Prejudice showed me the appeal but with this … with this I Got it.
Check please was just … kind of okay but the dead fandom got me thru a levels like nurseydex is good, patater is good and shitty knight just has a cool name like dayum shitty knight.
I will say that for what it’s worth I think OMGCP has my favourite portrayal of the strong silent but secretly quite tender and a bit dorky love interest. Like Jack is just fully realised in a very sweet way?? Not even Pride and Prejudice showed me the appeal but with this … with this I Got it.
December 24, 2017
I love Check Please almost as much as Bitty loves baking. Why is it so wholesome and warming and emotional? How did it manage to pull me in despite knowing absolutely nothing about hockey or Canada? When will I inevitably binge read all of it again?
April 11, 2020
I recommend this comic to everyone who enjoys life or needs a little joy in life. Go read it. ♥
April 27, 2020
Heartwarming hockey gays with gratuitous Southern vibes and an whole bunch of pie? Sign me the fuck up.
April 18, 2017
I'm in loooooove with this story. Honestly, I didn't know you could become attached to so many characters at the same time. And the art! The dialogues! The beautiful relationship they have amongst each other!
(I WISH I could draw like that-- this comic gives me life, seriously, and inspires me to improve on my own drawings.)
And of course, Jack and Bitty's relationship puts all the rest to shame. They're pERFECT.
I know it's not finished yet (and I hope it won't be for at least some time, wouldn't want it to end too quickly) but this is going straight to my "read" and "all time favorite" shelves.
Would recommend it to absolutely everyone. EVERYONE. Read it now!!
(I WISH I could draw like that-- this comic gives me life, seriously, and inspires me to improve on my own drawings.)
And of course, Jack and Bitty's relationship puts all the rest to shame. They're pERFECT.
I know it's not finished yet (and I hope it won't be for at least some time, wouldn't want it to end too quickly) but this is going straight to my "read" and "all time favorite" shelves.
Would recommend it to absolutely everyone. EVERYONE. Read it now!!
March 11, 2016
I stayed up way to late to finish this and then I delved into fanfiction. It's currently 5:30am and I should seriously go to bed but I'm lost in this world. The characters in this story are amazing. All of them. I couldn't tell you who my favorite is because I love them all to much (although I will admit to Bittle hitting a soft spot in my heart). This story was amazing and I can't wait until it's continued. It is literally one of the best LGBT stories I have read. It's so fantastically well done and I am just so glad to have come across it.
September 15, 2016
Completely addictive and wonderful. Storytelling at its finest and art that makes you want it to be real SO badly. Hilarious, heart warming, with the perfect amount of realistic conflict and angst. Protagonist you simply HAVE to root for. Supporting characters that are so compelling they need their own stories and graphic novels STAT. Have read and reread and reread. Will continue reading as long as she keeps writing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews