Ngozi Ukazu’s Check, Please!: #Hockey is a remarkable fusion of visual storytelling, humor, and emotional depth that redefines how contemporary graphic novels portray identity and belonging. Presented through a combination of comic panels, online posts, and video diaries, the narrative follows Eric “Bitty” Bittle’s college experience as he joins the Samwell University men’s hockey team. Ukazu’s approach to storytelling is both intimate and interactive, blurring the line between reader and character. The multimedia format—particularly Bitty’s vlogs and social media updates—creates a sense of immediacy that reflects how young people today document and process their lives. This structure not only modernizes the coming-of-age story but also situates it in a digital landscape where self-expression is both public and performative.
The novel’s success lies largely in its narrative voice. Bitty’s cheerful, self-aware tone serves as the emotional anchor of the text. His narration is conversational, full of Southern charm and quick wit, yet Ukazu uses that warmth to mask more complex emotional undercurrents. Bitty’s internal monologue—delivered through vlogs and captions—reveals both his insecurities and his resilience. The humor never undermines vulnerability; instead, it becomes a coping mechanism that humanizes him. This careful tonal balance allows the reader to experience the contrast between Bitty’s sunny exterior and his private anxieties, producing a layered character study within the constraints of a lighthearted format.
Ukazu’s use of visual form enhances characterization and pacing. The expressive illustrations and dynamic panel layouts convey emotion and timing in ways that prose alone could not. For instance, quick comedic beats are often delivered through reaction panels or silent expressions, while slower, emotionally charged scenes are given room to breathe with wider frames and softer color palettes. The visual rhythm mirrors the ebb and flow of Bitty’s emotional world—fast, funny moments followed by quiet, introspective pauses. Ukazu’s art style, with its rounded lines and bright tones, reinforces the novel’s inviting atmosphere while subtly undercutting it with moments of real emotional intensity.
The text also plays with contrast and subversion. Ukazu situates Bitty—a small, gentle, openly gay figure skater—within the hypermasculine culture of college hockey, creating a tension that fuels much of the book’s humor and heart. Yet instead of framing this as a clash, she uses it to question stereotypes of masculinity. The visual juxtaposition of tender domestic scenes—Bitty baking pies or chatting warmly with teammates—with the rough physicality of hockey games underscores the coexistence of strength and softness. This blend of domesticity and athleticism becomes a visual and thematic motif throughout the narrative, challenging the reader’s assumptions about gendered behavior and emotional expression.
Ukazu’s dialogue and pacing further elevate the text. Conversations among the teammates feel natural and rhythmically distinct, capturing the chaotic energy of a locker room while allowing individual personalities to emerge. The pacing mimics the academic calendar—seasonal shifts, team milestones, and emotional arcs all unfold with the passing of semesters—lending the story an organic sense of growth. This cyclical structure mirrors real collegiate life: transient, formative, and constantly in motion. The progression of time is not marked by grand revelations but by the accumulation of small, tender moments, reflecting Ukazu’s preference for emotional authenticity over dramatic spectacle.
A crucial aspect of Check, Please!: #Hockey is its interplay between text and silence. Some of the most affecting scenes occur without words—moments of hesitation, longing, or recognition rendered through glances and body language. Ukazu trusts her visuals to communicate subtext, inviting the reader to read emotion rather than be told it. These quiet spaces give the story emotional weight, transforming a light comedy into something more introspective. They also reveal Ukazu’s confidence in the graphic novel medium’s ability to carry complexity through visual nuance.
In the broader literary context, Check, Please!: #Hockey stands out for how it redefines representation. Rather than positioning queerness as conflict, Ukazu integrates it seamlessly into everyday life, shifting focus from trauma to joy. This narrative choice is radical in its normalcy—affirming that identity can exist without tragedy. The text’s structure, tone, and visual language work together to craft an inclusive, emotionally rich portrayal of modern adolescence.
Overall, Check, Please!: #Hockey is not only a story about a young man on a hockey team; it’s a sophisticated example of how graphic storytelling can merge humor, intimacy, and social commentary. Ukazu’s craft lies in her ability to balance accessibility with depth—inviting readers through laughter, then leaving them with a quiet recognition of tenderness, courage, and connection.
