Written by contributor Marley B
First published in 2013 on Tumblr, Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu has taken both the webcomic scene and the publishing world by storm. It broke the record for most backed webcomic on Kickstarter with the campaign for physical copies of Year Two, and is also published by the graphic novel imprint First Second. Now, there’s got to be a reason for this massive success, so I’ve come up with a list of reasons why you should read this awesome webcomic!
1. It Has A Very Compelling Storyline
The comic follows Bitty throughout his four year journey at Samwell University and it’s told through a mix of vlog-style episodes from his YouTube channel and more traditional comic storytelling. Because of this format, it’s really easy to get sucked into Bitty’s story as he tries to overcome his fear of being checked, the physical side of hockey, or the relatable moments where he’s procrastinating on writing his thesis.
Ngozi Ukazu does a great job of showing Bitty’s growth throughout the years, going from fainting on the ice to being a successful and valued member of the hockey team, as well as coming out to those close to him and figuring out what to do after he leaves college. She also uses the plot technique of bookending extremely well, using similar plot points to mark emotional or character arcs in the story, which really helps with both character development and making the story feel substantial.
2. There’s A Large Cast of Fun Characters
Whether you prefer chipper characters or ones with impactful backstories, hockey dudes with a Women’s and Gender Studies minor or artists who rock at beer pong, there’s a favourite character for you. The cast of characters in this comic is enormous with all kinds of personalities and backgrounds, and even though there are many characters, a lot of them still get a significant amount of development in a really natural way.
Found family is probably the best way to describe Bitty’s friends at Samwell because that’s essentially what it is. Even those who don’t get along at the beginning end up a part of this massive happy team, and seeing them all interact as a group is so heartwarming
3. It’s Got Excellent Art
Because it ran from 2013-2020, Check, Please! underwent several changes in art style, but they really reflect the journey that Bitty has gone through as he grows throughout the comic. Starting in black and white and going from softer edges to well-defined lineart, the way Bitty is drawn shows his growth from young and unsure to confident and assertive. The colours are dynamic and vibrant, and the distinctive Samwell red and colourful pairings make each page recognisable and unique. Ngozi Ukazu also uses a variety of styles to suit the tone of that moment in the story, most notably the paper-cut style used in Jack Zimmerman’s backstory episode, adding another layer to the storytelling.
4. Hockey and Baking
Hockey and baking are not necessarily a pair that you would expect, but they work really well together in this comic. The hockey scenes are dynamic and easy to follow, even if you aren’t a hockey fan, and there are even several ‘episodes’ of the comic where Ransom and Holster, the hilarious defenseman duo, explain common hockey terms used throughout the comic.
5. It’s A Feel-Good Story
While it does have its ups and downs like any story with tension, Check, Please is ultimately a happy story about finding your place in the world, making great friends, and baking lots of pies. It’s a ray of sunshine just like Bitty; it’s very easy to love and be absorbed by. A significant portion of it is very upbeat, but it’s balanced by some realistic, heavier storylines that keep it from being just fluff. Even though some of these bits are really quite deep, such as the coming out plot points and the pressure that being on a highly ranked college hockey team brings, they’re never just vessels for angst, and ultimately it’s very much a happily-ever-after comic.
6. There’s So Much Extra Content
Whether you want more character art from the creator of the comic, a collection of Bitty’s tweets throughout three years of the comic, or even drabbles and art of non-canon pairings created by Ngozi Ukazu herself, you’re in luck. Check, Please has accumulated an expansive amount of content throughout the seven years it ran, so when you finish the comic itself, you don’t have to finish your journey there. From the Tumblr extras to the Chirpbook and Huddle zines, there’s something for everyone.
Start reading online here!
