Something Like Summer - The Comic - Volume One: Summer

A wonderful read! Love the story line and the artistry is fantastically fun! I enjoyed this graphic novel and can’t wait to read the next one!

I remember reading the novel version of Something Like Summer in high school. The story was wonderful - like a fantasy. However, the ending was abrupt. Then the entire series came out and address the time-lapse in the original novel. This comic adaptation ends where it should (right before the time-lapse), and I hope the entire series is going to be adapted. The art is detailed and imaginative. I definitely recommend this for comic fans and fans of the original series.

I really loved the original novel(s) and this was a very nice graphic novel of the first 1/3 of the first book. Great art but I’d urge you to actually read the first 3 books in the series. Beautifully written and they feel true to life. I only wish the movie had been anywhere near as good. (Does anyone in Hollywood actually READ the book?) This graphic novel is a nice addition to the series but there are some plot changes here and rearranged scenes so read the book first so you get the FULL story/ experience of the story of Ben and Tim.

“Something Like Summer, Volume One: Summer” is a webcomic based on the original novel by Jay Bell with beautiful artwork by Cassy Fallon. The first volume was collected into physical print via Kickstarter, which I serendipitously stumbled upon during the third volume’s campaign. I had always meant to read Jay Bell’s novels after reading a few of his short stories & just never got around to it. This is partly because I also saw the film based on the series, & while I enjoyed it, I was sad the character I liked best ended up dying. He doesn’t even appear in this volume though.The story is a cute high school seniors romance between out Ben & closeted new jock Tim (who’s also biracial & bilingual). After Ben accidentally injures Tim, they become friends & something more. But will Tim be able to come out to his conservative parents? How long with Ben be content with being a secret?All in all, I thought the story was a typical romance concept told with heart, humor, & enough uniqueness that I read it all in one sitting. Definitely for anyone who likes a cute romance that veers into being sensual & mildly naughty without being especially erotic or pornographic. Sex-positive, but it isn’t gratuitous. The plot & characters stay most important & the first volume leaves on a satisfying note while of course leaving the door open for a college-centric second volume. Tim & Ben take up center stage, but their families & friends make for interesting side characters. Ben’s best friend Allison especially gets great moments to shine & even have her one moments, though I hope she gets more development in the next volumes (which I think she does).Also the art is just really lovely. Very webcomicy but more sophisticated than the more simple & subtle “Heartstopper” without also being overly glossy & unreal like a superhero comic. There a slight sketch grit to it that I find sincere & realistic. The characters look like they could be real people while still having animated charms. I like that all the characters have a style. Orange/Summer & Blue/Winter colors make for interesting symbolism.A definite recommend for anyone who likes gay/queer comics with POC rep. Will read again. Could even be a comfort read. Much more curious about the novels now. I guess I’ll be lost in “Something Like…” for awhile. 😹

There have been so many times in modern times where great stories have been ruined when adapted for another form of media (film, comic, etc) but let me assure you this isn’t the case with Bell’s graphic novel of SLS. I didn’t think it was possible to fall even more deeply in love with his love tortured characters than through this graphic novel! Perhaps one of my favorite components of this novel is how the artist is able to take a story originally set in the 90s and modernize it so that it is relatable visually to even the youngest of readers. This is a purchase that should find its way under every Christmas Tree this Something Like Winter season!

Because I'd like to! The comic book events slightly stray from the plot of the book, to some degree, which i love. Keeps things fresh! I'm reading this online. I do hope that you continue making comic editions of your other books. Send my love to your artist, too! <3 Looooove this series!!

This was fun to have a picture version of a favourite story to revisit.

Needs a stronger glue or something to keep the pages boned to the spine. Love the story and art.