Things I enjoyed in the month of May, the Heartstopper edition:
...What's that sound, you say?Just my heart puddling all over the place, reforming into an illustrated heart shape, and then dissolving into fucking cartoon petals because I am SO BLOODY GONE FOR THIS.
It's just so...
And they're just so...
And I'M. JUST. SO...
...
Argh, I can't take it!It's so fucking wholesome, and good and sweet and earnestly awkward, and I repeat: I can't bloody take it!
And it's not just cute beyond measure, it deals with so many important issues that nobody fucking talks about and we should talk about, and not in that typical let's make it a joke or a massive drama way, but in a normal human way that's actually relatable and can possibly help and soothe people who are out there freaking out about everything Charlie, Nick and the rest of the Heartstopper gang are freaking out about and have no one to talk to about that stuff, so comics and tv and books are the only way they can feel reassured their problems aren't unique to them and they're not alone!...Annnnnnd breathe.
But no, really, I'm in a constant state of squeeing internally and externally, right now, it's becoming quite the problem.
I read this immediately after finishing Lore Olympus because I knew it'd be just the right tonic for the agony Rachel Smythe was putting me through.I needed the awkward, soft boy aesthetic Alice Oseman was offering with Charlie and Nick....Best.Decision.Ever.I'm a fucking wreck for these boys.I didn't know I was physically capable of squeeing this much without doing myself some physical damage, but it would seem, when it comes to awkward queer love, I've got superhuman squeeing powers....I actually knew that already; if I hadn't before, Schitt's Creek confirmed it, but holy hell...Charlie and Nick doubly, infinitely, eternally confirmed it.I could sob.I did sob. A few times, actually.And I'll probably sob again when I re-read it immediately after finishing the Netflix adaptation because I can't get enough of my awkward boys.
Especially Nick.No offence to Charlie, I love him dearly, if I put myself in the story, I would absolutely be the Charlie:
π Dark hairedπ Blue eyedπ Awkward as fuckπ Mental health problemsπ Prone to saying the wrong thingπ Holds thing inside to bursting pointπ Giant nerdπ Crushes on tall, sunshine boys
Yup, definitely the Charlie.But just like my illustrated doppelgΓ€nger, I've only got eyes for Nick Nelson.
The blueprint for the sunshine Labrador hero trope.(If you're looking for another, Tessa Bailey's novel, Heat Stroke has an incredible one named Marcus. We love him. He is sunshine perfection)I am obsessed with his face.
And how unsubtle he is with how much he's into Charlie even before they're a couple:
☂️ The touching☂️ The lifting☂️ The cuddling☂️ The near-kisses☂️ The constant heart-eyes
Nick Nelson doesn't have a subtle bone in his body for Charlie Spring and I. Am. Here. For. It.
...It's ridiculous how much I struggle to review things I love.I lose all coherence.I'm just a spasming brain and an idiot heart trying their very best to function as a unit and failing miserably in the presence of one of my OTPs.Hence, word vomit.What I'm trying to say is:
This comic is fucking beautiful - the art, the storytelling, the characters, the handling of sensitive issues, the everydayness of being a teenager, its quintessential Britishness; and I am desperately, hopelessly, inconsolably in love with it.
Nick and Charlie forever.Someone hold me, they're the goddamn cutest:
.............................................
Heartstopper season one:
...
That was my face during the entirety of this.I'm glad no one was in the room with me because it got pretty embarrassing.The squeeing, the dopey smile I. could. not. stop. making, my stupid fist in the air whenever something iconic from the comic happened; oh and lest we forget the hiding behind of hands when it just got too goddamn adorable.The watching of this show led to some truly ridiculous behaviour.But it couldn't be helped, because my boysssss, my beautiful, awkward boysssss!
Look at their perfect little faces!Heart eyes and insta-crushing everywhere.Ugh, I just friggin' adore them, and the show, the show is perfect.Alice Oseman and the Netflix team did an incredible job of retaining the big beating heart of Heartstopper.From the way they framed scenes to perfectly mimic the comic:
(This is THE scene. Don't fight me on this)
To the little illustrated autumn leaves, hearts, and butterflies punctuated throughout to give even more life to the unsaid emotions practically vibrating off each character.
(Charlie and Nick sparks are like nectar from the freaking gods)
Not to mention every time Nick looks at Charlie:
This is how Nick Nelson looks at his boyfriend before he's his boyfriend, before they've even said hello....ARGH, IT'S TOO MUCH!
Everyone in the entire world deserves a Nick.He's a perfect cinnamon roll, sunshine Labrador who I loved in the comic and love just as much in the tv show.Kit Connor did a fucking amazing job.He is Nick.Through and through.From his puppy face that hides absolutely none of his emotions, to the fact that he speaks the way I hear Nick in my head, and then there's the unabashed chemistry he wraps his co-star, Joe Locke in whenever they're in a scene together.Just like Nick and Charlie.My precious cinnamon roll boys.And Nellie, we must never forget Nellie:
And Tori:
With Tori we stand.She's a mysteriously appearing Queen.But really, we stand with everyone in the comics and now in the show because they are ALL precious humans who deserve only the best of things....Including fans like myself who can't hold their shit together enough to write a solid review because they've got too many fucking feelings about everything....I regret nothing!
Update:
Ps. The soundtrack's fucking amazing as well, and full of LGBT+ artists:
I've had Chloe Moriondo's, I Want To Be With You stuck in my head since I watched it....Okay, I'm done, just gonna sit here and happy scream while I abuse your vision with wondrous fanart.Y'welcome:Sophie Morse
Chase Currah
Chio Rodriguez
chem_doodles
Jane aka. mangomangoj
Emily Thomas
Felix Hollifield
Alessia Trunfio
polarts_
Lava Hijzelaar
Brizz
Jan Sumalla
Chocomog_mogi(His squishy face! *melts*)
FERBA
Clarissa Herrera
xflatter(He's perfect...)
Issy
Emil Lundmark
lix
jiji
Jacy
NoΓ©mie
Julia Marzochi
a n g e
leaphere
NOGO!ε
Leilines
MAX~
calicoture
.acs.
asmae
ezza
c h i i
thainΓ‘
pia
Givei
Patrizia Cocco
Brendon Souza(I quietly screamed when I found this)
Yayira Dzamesi(Inspired by Emily Thomas)
rei
Luiza Nobre
kimAdrian Horihoro
M!
Stefania Favaro
mogart
Bruno Freire
Esteban Bravo(The crossover of squishy dreams ❤️)
Luz Tapia
I love their stupid adorable faces so much.Someone sedate me.
...Okay, that's it, I'm done, it's over.Next month will probably be less bedlam-esque; no promises, though.But if you want to read my fangirl verbiage all over again, like the lovely, crazy person you are, it's all neatly linked below:
Part IPart IIPart II.VPart III
It's time for me to hibernate, now.Good night!
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