Heartstopper: Volume One Book Summary

Is Webcomics the New Page-turner for This Generation: Alice Oseman’s ‘Heartstopper’ Catching Millions of Hearts

Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper: A Perfect Read for the Upcoming Queer Month

‘Heartstopper’ is an ongoing LGBTQ+ themed web-graphic novel series written and created by Alice Oseman. The 4 bestselling graphic novel volumes were published later by Hachette Children’s Group after Oseman self-published limited editions of Heartstopper with the help of crowd funds. Originally it was posted as a webcomic in the popular social media website of Tumblr and Tapas. The fanbase was generated online for the simple 2D black and white comics on the screen or popularly known as webcomics.  It has over 124 million of views online. 

Alice Oseman’s Journey with Heartstopper

The popular characters of the ‘Heartstopper’ series first appeared in Alice Oseman’s first novel, ‘Solitaire’. In 2016 Oseman started the popular webcomics series online and as it gradually started to gain huge number of followers, in 2019 it got a publisher and over 1 million copies of the book have been sold till date. It followed 3 more volumes with a coloured copy and since then it got sold like hot cake. In 2022 Netflix came out with 2 seasons of the show ‘Heartstopper’, starring Kit Connor as Nick and Joe Locke as Charlie, and it became one of the most watched English language shows on the platform. 

This coming-of-age, queer, romantic comedy has been the favourite of teenage watchers; and Euros Lyn, the director received lots of critical acclamation as well. The series did justice to the essence of the original novel, the flavour of that comics on the pages. The casting of characters like Nick, Charlie, Ben, Tao, Elle are so perfect that if you have read the comics, you will feel they actually came out of the pages on the screen. Even the transitions between the scenes look like a tribute to the comics. Oseman herself has appreciated the Netflix adaptation to be complimenting to the original. She talks about her most-adored scene from the series as well as the book which is Nick and Charlie’s first kiss. 

A Short Overview of the Story, No Spoilers Intended:

Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson are primarily the two main characters of the story as it focuses mainly on their friendship, love and self-discovery in a high school setting in England. The novel starts off with Charlie, a shy talented boy who is openly gay but struggling to come to terms with himself. He is going through normal teenage things like; school, friends and family however his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Nick, a popular rugby player with boys in hockey team. Charlie develops a little crush on Nick but he believed that Nick is straight. But as they start interacting in the class, Nick starts showing signs of being interested in Charlie as well. 

Jack Edwards, a youtube book reviewer says, the book is about “self discovery and identity and coming of age and being unashamedly you.” Throughout the collection, Charlie and Nick face diverse challenges, along with prejudice from classmates and the complexities of popping out to their friends and households. They lean on every different for guide, and their friendship evolves into a stunning and smooth romance.

"Heartstopper" explores issues of identity, popularity, and love in a heartwarming and genuine way. Through Oseman's heartfelt storytelling and expressive art work, readers are drawn into the lives of Charlie and Nick, rooting for his or her happiness and increase with every page turn. The huge fanbase of the webcomic and the success that the Netflix adaptation enjoyed as soon as it came out, is evident of the authentic portrayal of the teenage minds and queer minds that Oseman was able to do. The covers of all the volumes deserve special attention and appreciation as it perfectly compliments the content inside, they are cute, shiny, romantic and promising. 

Does Webcomic look promising?

The contemporary age is of virtual medium and viral content. Teenage queer minds which are a very sensitive topic but at the same time looked at with absolute un-ashamedness by this generation, is beautifully dealt by Alice Oseman through her webcomic. And the following trail of printed books, TV adaptation and huge successes are just parts of it. ‘Heartstopper’ is a redefinition of the way stories are told and consumed in the digital age. With their accessibility, engaging visuals, and interactive nature, webcomics are captivating the hearts and minds of the younger generation, making them the new "page-turners" of today.

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