In 2018, a crowdfunded graphic novel set in a British grammar school brought together two boys and captivated audiences worldwide. Now, the second season of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper has arrived on Netflix, while the fifth book in the series is set to be published in December. This heartwarming queer love story has become a cultural phenomenon, helping sustain bookshops during and after the pandemic with its 8 million copies sold.
Heartstopper’s success can be attributed to its popularity on social media, where it resonates with young readers who appreciate its optimistic and inclusive narratives. Alice Oseman, the 28-year-old author, made her debut in 2014 with a young adult novel called Solitaire. At a time when the young adult genre was dominated by fantasy, Oseman chose to explore coming-of-age stories set in schools. While her first protagonist was a girl named Tori Spring, the presence of Tori’s gay brother, Charlie, and his boyfriend, Nick, added depth to the narrative. Oseman initially experimented with conventional ebook novellas but eventually found that the episodic structure of a webcomic suited her story better. Fans of the webcomic crowdfunded a print edition, which was later picked up by a mainstream publisher. Heartstopper went on to become the top-selling graphic novel in the UK in a single year.
The breakthrough moment for Heartstopper arrived when it was adapted into a live-action television series in 2022, which quickly became a global hit on Netflix. The novels were reissued with TV spin-off covers and extracts from the script, directing readers to delve deeper into the original webcomic that has now amassed over 124 million views. On TikTok, the #heartstopper aggregator has garnered billions of views.
At this year’s Hay festival, Alice Oseman, interviewed by content producer Jack Edwards, garnered a massive following. This reflects the synergy between television, print books, and online fan platforms. Heartstopper’s influence extends beyond the literary world, capturing the imaginations of fans with events such as Heartstopper-themed ice cream at the festival. The stories appeal to the BookTok generation, who find solace in cute graphics highlighting moments of high emotion, all within a world where characters are protected by a robust social justice code. Heartstopper also attracts readers who grew up with school dramas from an earlier era, where hickeys were referred to as love bites.
It is worth noting that Heartstopper’s success has faced challenges from anti-LGBT+ censorship laws in Florida and Hungary. However, the books continue to thrive because they provide an empowering and uplifting experience for readers.
Overall, Heartstopper’s journey from a crowdfunded webcomic to a global phenomenon demonstrates the evolving dynamics of relationships and media representation in today’s world. With its heartwarming and inclusive storytelling, it has become a beacon of positivity for readers around the globe.
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