View source for Heartstopper (graphic novel)

{{Short description|Graphic novel and webcomic series by Alice Oseman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}{{Infobox graphic novel
| image     =Heartstopper.png 
| date      = {{plainlist|
* 2016 (original comic)
* 2018 ([[Kickstarter]] print run)
}}
| pages     = 1593
| origisbn  = 978-1-4449-5138-7
| creator   = [[Alice Oseman]]
| publisher = {{plainlist|
* [[Self-publishing|Self-published]]
* Print: [[Hachette (publisher)|Hachette Children's Group]]
}}
| title     = Heartstopper
}}

'''''Heartstopper''''' is an ongoing [[Gay literature|LGBTQ+]] [[Young adult fiction|young adult]] graphic novel and [[webcomic]] series written and illustrated by British author [[Alice Oseman]]. It follows the lives of [[Nick Nelson (Heartstopper)|Nick Nelson]] and [[Charlie Spring]] as they meet and fall in love. The series is a prequel to Oseman's 2015 novella, ''Nick and Charlie'', although the characters originally appeared in her 2014 novel, ''Solitaire''.

The series was later adapted into the [[Netflix]] [[Heartstopper (TV series)|television series of the same name]] also written by Oseman and starring [[Kit Connor]] and [[Joe Locke]] as Nick and Charlie, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=Heartstopper review – possibly the loveliest show on TV |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/22/heartstopper-review-alice-oseman-netflix-tv-drama |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=the Guardian |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423021154/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/22/heartstopper-review-alice-oseman-netflix-tv-drama |url-status=live }}</ref> The series premiered in 2022 to critical acclaim.

Since 2021, the inclusion of the ''Heartstopper'' series in libraries has been challenged on multiple occasions due to its LGBTQ content and subject matter. This has included bans from school libraries in [[Florida]], [[Oregon]], and [[Mississippi]].

==Premise==
''Heartstopper'' tells the story of [[Charlie Spring]] and [[Nick Nelson (Heartstopper)|Nick Nelson]] – two British schoolboys who attend the fictional Truham Grammar School – as they meet and fall in love. The series also follows the lives and relationships of their friends, many of whom are [[LGBTQ]].

==Characters==
===Main===
*[[Nick Nelson (Heartstopper)|Nick Nelson]], a popular [[Year 11]] rugby player at Truham Grammar School seated next to Charlie in form class
*[[Charlie Spring]], a [[Year 10]] student at Truham Grammar School who was recently [[Outing|outed]]
*Tao Xu, Charlie's best friend and later Elle's boyfriend
*Elle Argent, Charlie's close friend and later Tao's girlfriend who transferred to Higgs Girls School after coming out as [[transgender]]
*Tara Jones, Nick's [[lesbian]] childhood friend who becomes his confidante when he starts to explore his sexuality. She is Darcy's girlfriend
*Darcy Olsson, Tara's extroverted girlfriend with a complex family life
*Aled Last, Charlie's gay [[demisexual]] close friend and one of the main characters in Oseman's novel ''Radio Silence''
*Sahar Zahid, the group's new friend who starts [[sixth form]] at the same time as Nick

===Supporting===
*Tori Spring, Charlie's [[Asexuality|asexual]] [[aro-spec]] older sister and the main character in Oseman's debut novel ''Solitaire''
*Ben Hope, a closeted, bisexual student whom Charlie was initially in a secret, toxic relationship with
*Harry Greene, a [[Homophobia|homophobic]] bully and member of the school's rugby team
*Sarah Nelson, Nick's supportive mother who is divorced from his father, Stéphane Fournier.
*Oliver Spring, Charlie and Tori's younger brother
*Jane Spring, Charlie and Tori's mother
*Julio Spring, Charlie and Tori's father
*David Nelson, Nick's entitled older brother who denies Nick's sexuality
*Nellie Nelson, Nick's first dog, a [[border collie]]
*Henry Nelson, Nick's second dog, a [[pug]]

==Development and release==
The characters of [[Nick Nelson (Heartstopper)|Nick Nelson]] and [[Charlie Spring]] first appeared in supporting roles in Oseman's debut novel ''Solitaire'' (2014) which features Charlie's sister, Tori, as the protagonist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aroesti |first=Rachel |date=2022-03-18 |title=No drugs, booze, sex or swearing: will Heartstopper rewrite the young love rulebook? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/18/no-drugs-booze-sex-or-swearing-will-heartstopper-rewrite-the-young-love-rulebook |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913133115/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/18/no-drugs-booze-sex-or-swearing-will-heartstopper-rewrite-the-young-love-rulebook |url-status=live }}</ref> Oseman "fell in love" with the couple while writing the novel and decided that she needed to tell their story.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=2022-04-22 |title=Heartstopper creator wanted to show queer teens that the future is bright |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/22/heartstopper-netflix-alice-oseman-interview/ |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913133115/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/22/heartstopper-netflix-alice-oseman-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She initially released the [[e-book]] novellas ''Nick and Charlie'' and ''This Winter'' featuring the characters in 2015, but eventually realised that their story needed an episodic structure that was more suited to a webcomic or graphic novel format.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Curtis M. |date=2022-03-17 |title=Netflix Teases 'Heartstopper' With A Delightful Gay Teen Meet Cute |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/heartstopper-netflix-gay-teen-romance-trailer_n_6232a066e4b0f1e82c44a605 |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913133122/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/heartstopper-netflix-gay-teen-romance-trailer_n_6232a066e4b0f1e82c44a605 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Oseman started publishing ''Heartstopper'' as a webcomic on [[Tumblr]] and [[Tapas (website)|Tapas]] in September 2016 and on [[Webtoon (publisher)|Webtoon]] in August 2019.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1165652207506722816|user=AliceOseman|title=OKAY GANG the response to this has been very positive so I've started uploading Heartstopper to Webtoon.|author=Alice Oseman|date=2019-08-25|access-date=2022-09-12}}</ref> New [[Panel (comics)|panels]] are posted three times a month and illustrated by Oseman herself. The webcomic gained a significant following, leading Oseman to launch a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to help fund the publication of a limited run of graphic novels covering the first two chapters of the series (retroactively now ''Volume 1'') on 20 June 2018. The targeted pledge was reached within two hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eyre |first=Charlotte |date=2018-06-21 |title=Oseman smashes comic crowdfunding target in two hours |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/oseman-crowdfunds-lgbt-comic-two-hours-816316 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=The Bookseller |language=En |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429022830/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/oseman-crowdfunds-lgbt-comic-two-hours-816316 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In October 2018, Hachette Children's Group (HCG) acquired the rights to physical publishing of the first two volumes of ''Heartstopper'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eyre |first=Charlotte |date=2018-10-02 |title=HCG to publish Oseman's online graphic novel |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hcg-publish-oseman-s-online-graphic-novel-869686 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=The Bookseller |language=En |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429020824/https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hcg-publish-oseman-s-online-graphic-novel-869686 |url-status=live }}</ref> and by January 2019, the third and fourth volumes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Eyre |first=Charlotte |date=2019-01-31 |title=HCG expands on Oseman's graphic novel series |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hcg-expands-oseman-s-graphic-novel-series-942126 |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=The Bookseller |language=En |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427232108/https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hcg-expands-oseman-s-graphic-novel-series-942126 |url-status=live }}</ref> They were released on 7 February and 11 July 2019,<ref name=":0" /> 6 February 2020 and 6 May 2021, respectively.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1225402171258232832|user=aliceoseman|title=Heartstopper: Volume 3 is OFFICIALLY OUT TODAY!|author=Alice Oseman|date=2020-02-06|access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1390226888170299394|user=AliceOseman|title=VOL 4 IS OUT TODAY!!! A whole week earlier than planned!!!|author=Alice Oseman|date=2021-05-06|access-date=2022-05-20}}</ref> ''Volume 5'' was later released on 7 December 2023 while a sixth and final volume has been announced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=How Netflix's Heartstopper Fits Into Alice Oseman's Book Universe |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/how-netflixs-heartstopper-fits-into-alice-osemans-book-universe/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429015702/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/how-netflixs-heartstopper-fits-into-alice-osemans-book-universe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, a ''Heartstopper''-themed colouring book was published on 11 June 2020, followed by ''The Heartstopper Yearbook'' on 13 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sian |first=Bayley |date=2021-11-25 |title=Hodder to publish Heartstopper Yearbook with never-before-seen illustrations |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hodder-publish-heartstopper-yearbook-never-seen-illustrations-1290937 |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=The Bookseller |language=En |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531235534/https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hodder-publish-heartstopper-yearbook-never-seen-illustrations-1290937 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Releases==
{{See also|Alice Oseman#Bibliography}}

=== Webcomic ===
{| class="wikitable"
!No.
!Chapter title
!Post count
!First published
!Last published
|-
|1
|"Meet"
|12
|26 August 2019{{Efn|The first chapter was originally released episodically via Tumblr starting in 2016 before being uploaded to Webtoon in full.}}
|26 August 2019
|-
|2
|"Crush"
|20
|27 August 2019
|13 October 2019
|-
|3
|"Kiss"
|36
|16 October 2019
|27 December 2019
|-
|4
|"Out"
|42
|30 December 2019
|9 April 2020
|-
|5
|"Love"
|26
|11 April 2020
|11 November 2020
|-
|6
|"Journey"
|16
|1 December 2020
|12 June 2021
|-
|7
|"Together"
|40
|1 January 2022
|22 December 2023
|-
|8
|"Forever"
|{{n/a|TBA}}
|1 October 2024
|{{n/a|TBA}}
|}

===Volumes===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!No.
!Title
!Chapters included
!Publication date
!Publisher
!ISBN
|-
| 1
| ''Volume 1''
| 1–2
| 7 February 2019
| rowspan="6"| [[Hachette (publisher)|Hachette Children's Group]]
| {{ISBN|9781444951387|plainlink=yes}}
|-
| 2
| ''Volume 2''
| 3
| 11 July 2019
| {{ISBN|9781444951400|plainlink=yes}}
|-
| 3
| ''Volume 3''
| 4
| 6 February 2020
| {{ISBN|9781444952773|plainlink=yes}}
|-
| 4
| ''Volume 4''
| 5–6
| 6 May 2021
| {{ISBN|9781444952797|plainlink=yes}}
|-
| 5
| ''Volume 5''
| 7
| 7 December 2023
| {{ISBN|9781444957655|plainlink=yes}}
|-
| 6
| ''Volume 6''
| 8; epilogue
|{{n/a|TBA}}
|{{n/a|TBA}}
|}

=== Related books ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Title
!Publication date
!Publisher
!ISBN
|-
| ''The Heartstopper Colouring Book''
| 11 June 2020
| rowspan="2" |Hachette Children's Group
|{{ISBN|9781444958775|plainlink=yes}}
|-
| ''The Heartstopper Yearbook''
| 13 October 2022
|{{ISBN|9781444968392|plainlink=yes}}
|}

==Reception==
Writing for ''[[The National (Scotland)|The National]]'', Gemma McLaughlin praised the novels for being able to "capture the attention" through "the small stories that make up life" rather than plot twists and heavy drama. She called the story "infinitely welcoming with characters that seem like real life friends", singling out Charlie as "extremely likeable" and praising the novels' treatment of his mental health.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Gemma E. |date=2021-05-02 |title=Heartwarming, real and unaffected: a tale of teenage romance |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19273761.heartstopper-review-real-unaffected-tale-teenage-romance/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531131657/https://www.thenational.scot/news/19273761.heartstopper-review-real-unaffected-tale-teenage-romance/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' said that the novels' "leisurely pace and focus on everyday events ... allows the characters' relationship to develop in a natural, relatable way" and stated that the art style complemented the tone of the story.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-05 |title=Children's Book Review: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781338617436 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604141947/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781338617436 |url-status=live }}</ref> Imogen Russell Williams in ''[[The Times Literary Supplement]]'' called Oseman's illustration style "loose and flowing" and said of the novels that they "[engage] directly with shame, fear and anxiety, bringing them sweetly into the light".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Imogen Russell |date=2021-10-22 |title=Speed, rage, heat or stink: The conventions and merits of the children's graphic novel |url=https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/the-conventions-and-merits-of-the-childrens-graphic-novel-essay-imogen-russell-williams/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=The Times Literary Supplement |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913130518/https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/the-conventions-and-merits-of-the-childrens-graphic-novel-essay-imogen-russell-williams/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' included the webcomic on its list of "The best comics of 2018", with Caitlin Rosberg saying that it is "best defined by its kindness both to the characters and the reader".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sava |first1=Oliver |last2=Rosberg |first2=Caitlin |date=2018-11-28 |title=The best comics of 2018 |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-best-comics-of-2018-1830657952 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531215139/https://www.avclub.com/the-best-comics-of-2018-1830657952 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Metaphrog]] also included the comic on [[The Herald (Glasgow)|''The Herald'']]'s 2019 list of "The best comics and graphic novels of the year as chosen by comic creators".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jamieson |first=Teddy |date=2019-12-13 |title=Graphic Content: The best comics and graphic novels of the year as chosen by comic creators |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/18085772.graphic-content-best-comics-graphic-novels-year-chosen-comic-creators/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=The Herald |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418154849/https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/18085772.graphic-content-best-comics-graphic-novels-year-chosen-comic-creators/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Terri Schlichenmeyer of the ''[[Washington Blade]]'' described Volume One of the novels as "one really sweet book" and praised the understanding treatment of characters struggling with their sexuality. She also felt that the realism of the novel was strengthened by the inclusion of bully characters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlichenmeyer |first=Terri |date=2021-11-11 |title=A sweet book about first love: 'Heartstopper' a poignant reminder of coming out |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/10/11/a-sweet-book-about-first-love/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Washington Blade |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525141149/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/10/11/a-sweet-book-about-first-love/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' stated that the placement of panels and their bordering in Volume One "prevent the visual graphics from going aesthetically stale" and that the hand-written lettering reinforced the story's human tone. They summarised the novel as "An adorable diary of love's gut punches".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-05 |title=Heartstopper: Volume 1 |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alice-oseman/heartstopper-oseman/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607222559/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alice-oseman/heartstopper-oseman/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Summer Hayes reviewed Volume One in ''[[Booklist]]'' and praised Oseman's use of wordless panels to portray characters' emotions, although she felt that the illustrations were inconsistent. Overall, she concludes that "the romance and realistic fiction will draw readers into this sweet story".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hayes |first=Summer |date=2020 |title=Heartstopper, v.1 |magazine=Booklist |volume=116 |issue=16 |page=37}}</ref> Kelley Gile reviewed Volume One in the ''[[School Library Journal]]'', praising the dialogue, detailed facial expressions in the art, and "a font that mimics handwriting [that adds] to the adorkability factor".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gile |first=Kelley |date=2020-02-01 |title=Heartstopper |url=https://www.slj.com/review/heartstopper |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=School Library Journal |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604080542/https://www.slj.com/review/heartstopper |url-status=live }}</ref>

Alaine Martaus also reviewed Volume One in ''[[The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books]]'' in which she praised the "simple drawings" which she says "keep much of the focus on faces and phones, reinforcing a deeply interpersonal connection at the heart of the story". She described the story as being composed of "a series of charming vignettes".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Martaus |first=Alaine |date=2020 |title=Heartstopper: Volume 1; by Alice Oseman |journal=Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books |language=en |volume=73 |issue=10 |pages=442–443 |doi=10.1353/bcc.2020.0437 |s2cid=219502331 |issn=1558-6766}}</ref> In a further review of Volume Two, Martaus reiterated her previous comments and said that the storytelling of the second volume "moves effortlessly from tearful poignance to laugh-worthy moments to stirring romance".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Martaus |first=Alaine |date=2020 |title=Heartstopper: Volume 2 by Alice Oseman |journal=Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books |language=en |volume=74 |issue=3 |pages=139–140 |doi=10.1353/bcc.2020.0774 |s2cid=226752465 |issn=1558-6766}}</ref> ''Kirkus Reviews'' said of Volume Two that it retained the "distinctive style" of illustrations present in the first volume and that its transitions between panels were "creative" and "add creative flair". It praised the characters and described the story as "Incredibly lovable from start to finish".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-01 |title=Heartstopper: Volume 2 |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alice-oseman/heartstopper-volume-2/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604050724/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alice-oseman/heartstopper-volume-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sarah Rice reviewed Volume Two in ''Booklist'' and felt that Nick and Charlie's relationship was presented in a "heartfelt, gentle way" and praised the "loose art style [that] is full of lovely details, such as embarrassment and romantic blush lines".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rice |first=Sarah |date=2020 |title=Heartstopper, v.2 |magazine=Booklist |volume=117 |issue=4 |page=39}}</ref>

In a review of Volume Two, Tiffany Babb of ''The A.V. Club'' praised the book's reproduction of the webcomic's art, its use of white space, and Oseman's handwritten lettering, which she says is "expressive ... in a way that feels both unique to her style and organic to the pacing of the comic". She felt that the treatment of Charlie and Nick's characters displayed "a level of understanding and care that elevates the story" and argued that the story "never devalued or ignored" the characters' other relationships with friends and family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Babb |first=Tiffany |date=2020-10-21 |title=Heartstopper Volume 2 finds joy in the quiet moments of teen romance |url=https://www.avclub.com/heartstopper-volume-2-finds-joy-in-the-quiet-moments-of-1845308534 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519223542/https://www.avclub.com/heartstopper-volume-2-finds-joy-in-the-quiet-moments-of-1845308534 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sarah Hughes of [[I (newspaper)|''i'']] included Volume Three in the newspaper's list of "Young Adult fiction: 25 of the best new books for 2020".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Sarah |date=2020-02-13 |title=25 of the best new YA books, from Diary of a Confused Feminist to Wonderland |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/young-adult-fiction-2020-best-new-books-released-teenagers-diary-of-a-confused-feminist-wonderland-orion-lost-397675 |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=i |language=en |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525141152/https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/young-adult-fiction-2020-best-new-books-released-teenagers-diary-of-a-confused-feminist-wonderland-orion-lost-397675 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prudence Wade rated Volume Four 8/10 for ''[[The Independent]]'' and called it "a touching tale of teen love and accepting who you are".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wade |first=Prudence |date=2021-05-12 |title=5 new books to read this week |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jhumpa-lahiri-fiction-delhi-one-sunday-times-b1846139.html |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707061033/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jhumpa-lahiri-fiction-delhi-one-sunday-times-b1846139.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Fiona Noble also included Volume Four in ''[[The Guardian]]'''s list of "The best children's books of 2021", describing it as a "joyful, tender look at first love and relationships with an inclusive cast".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Noble |first1=Fiona |last2=Carter |first2=Imogen |last3=Empire |first3=Kitty |date=2021-12-12 |title=The best children's books of 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/12/the-best-childrens-books-of-2021 |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704135832/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/12/the-best-childrens-books-of-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The webcomic series received more than 52 million views and the novel had sold more than one million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zornosa |first=Laura |date=9 May 2022 |title='Heartstopper' Is a TV Love Story With the Soul of a Comic |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/09/arts/television/heartstopper-netflix.html |access-date=5 November 2022 |website=The New York Times |language=en |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513110125/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/09/arts/television/heartstopper-netflix.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Restrictions and bans===
In September 2021, Turkey's Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services labeled the publication "harmful" concluding that "some elements in the books might have harmful effects on the morality of the those aged below 18."<ref>{{cite web |title=Turkey's family ministry calls book with gay characters a 'harmful publication' |url=https://turkishminute.com/2021/09/09/eys-family-ministry-calls-book-with-gay-characters-a-harmful-publication/ |publisher=The Turkish Minute |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=13 May 2023 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513135324/https://turkishminute.com/2021/09/09/eys-family-ministry-calls-book-with-gay-characters-a-harmful-publication/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this decision, copies of the books are only allowed to be sold inside of sealed envelopes with the label "Harmful for children" in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |title=British author's book sold in envelopes in Turkey for including gay character |url=https://www.duvarenglish.com/copies-of-british-authors-book-being-sold-in-envelopes-in-turkey-after-ministry-finds-it-obscene-for-including-gay-character-news-58959 |publisher=duvaR.english |date=26 September 2021 |access-date=13 May 2023 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513113805/https://www.duvarenglish.com/copies-of-british-authors-book-being-sold-in-envelopes-in-turkey-after-ministry-finds-it-obscene-for-including-gay-character-news-58959 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, the ''Heartstopper'' novels increasingly became the subject of a wave of U.S. restrictions against books featuring [[people of color]], [[racism]], [[gender identity]] and/or [[queer]] individuals. The books were pulled from shelves in at least two school districts, [[Clay County, Florida]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Alice Oseman slams 'thriving' homophobia following Heartstopper book ban in Florida |author=Wratten, Marcus |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/27/heartstopper-alice-oseman-slams-florida-book-ban/ |website=thepinknews.com |date=27 March 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513113802/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/27/heartstopper-alice-oseman-slams-florida-book-ban/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Canby, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=More than 35 Books Pulled from Canby High Library for Reconsideration |author=Francke, Tyler |url=https://canbyfirst.com/more-than-35-books-pulled-from-canby-high-library-for-reconsideration/ |website=canbyfirst.com |date=21 March 2023 |access-date=13 May 2023 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513113803/https://canbyfirst.com/more-than-35-books-pulled-from-canby-high-library-for-reconsideration/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2023, a Hungarian bookstore was fined 12 million [[Hungarian forint|forints]] (then approximately [[United States dollar|US$]]35,900) for displaying the book without packaging.
Hungary passed a law in 2021 requiring books containing any homosexual or transgender content to be sold in closed packaging only. Oseman responded to the decision, commenting, "Queer young people deserve to see themselves in literature. Queerness is not innapropriate {{sic}} for kids".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/07/19/alice-oseman-slams-fine-hungarian-bookshop-heartstopper/ |title=Alice Oseman slams decision to fine Hungarian bookshop for selling Heartstopper: 'Sad and angry' |author=Wratten, Marcus |date=19 July 2023 |website=thepinknews.com |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724160755/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/07/19/alice-oseman-slams-fine-hungarian-bookshop-heartstopper/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In August 2023, the novels were temporarily pulled from shelves in the [[Marion County, Mississippi]] library system pending review by its board of supervisors following complaints of their LGBTQ themes and inclusion of boys kissing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valle |first=Jay |date=2023-08-10 |title='Heartstopper' books temporarily removed from Mississippi public library |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/heartstopper-books-temporarily-removed-mississippi-public-library-rcna99248 |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813190231/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/heartstopper-books-temporarily-removed-mississippi-public-library-rcna99248 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Television adaptation==
{{Main|Heartstopper (TV series){{!}}''Heartstopper'' (TV series)}}

A television adaptation of ''Heartstopper'' entered development after [[See-Saw Films]] acquired the rights in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2019-07-11 |title='Top Of The Lake' Producer See-Saw Films To Adapt Alice Oseman's Graphic Novel Series 'Heartstopper' For TV |url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/see-saw-films-alice-oseman-heartstoppers-1202644771/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502170743/https://deadline.com/2019/07/see-saw-films-alice-oseman-heartstoppers-1202644771/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Production was greenlit in January 2021 by the streaming service [[Netflix]] as an eight-episode series written by Oseman and starring [[Kit Connor]] and [[Joe Locke]] as Nick and Charlie, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosser |first=Michael |date=2021-01-20 |title=Netflix orders YA adaptation 'Heartstopper' from See-Saw, Euros Lyn |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/netflix-orders-ya-adaptation-heartstopper-from-see-saw-euros-lyn/5156381.article |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Screen |language=en |archive-date=18 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618001517/https://www.screendaily.com/news/netflix-orders-ya-adaptation-heartstopper-from-see-saw-euros-lyn/5156381.article |url-status=live }}</ref> The first season was released on 22 April 2022, the second on 3 August 2023 and the third on 3 October 2024.<ref name=Collider>{{cite web |title=Save The Date, 'Heartstopper' Season 3 Is Coming Back With a New Sneak Peek |url=https://collider.com/heartstopper-season-3-release-date-sneak-peek/ |publisher=Collider |date=13 May 2024 |access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> Since its premiere, the series has received high viewership, critical acclaim and numerous accolades.

As a tie-in to the series' premiere, the first volume of the graphic novel was re-released on 28 April 2022 with an excerpt of the show's script and new cover art featuring Connor and Locke as Nick and Charlie recreating the original illustrated cover.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Jonny |date=2022-03-21 |title=Gay graphic novel Heartstopper gets cover makeover to tie in with Netflix adaptation |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/21/heartstopper-netflix-graphic-novel-special-edition/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=PinkNews |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521190938/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/21/heartstopper-netflix-graphic-novel-special-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The graphic novel became the top-selling children's book in the UK following the popularity of the Netflix series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Kiera |date=2022-04-29 |title=Children's: Heartstopper beats a path to the top |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/bestsellers/childrens-heartstopper-beats-a-path-to-the-top |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=The Bookseller |language=En |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429235709/https://www.thebookseller.com/bestsellers/childrens-heartstopper-beats-a-path-to-the-top |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://aliceoseman.com/heartstopper/ Official website]
*[https://heartstoppercomic.tumblr.com/ Heartstopper on Tumblr]
*[https://tapas.io/series/Heartstopper/ Heartstopper on Tapas]
*[https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/heartstopper/list?title_no=329660 Heartstopper on Webtoon]

{{Alice Oseman}}
{{Webtoon (platform)}}
{{Tapas (platform)}}

[[Category:2010s LGBTQ novels]]
[[Category:2016 LGBTQ-related literary works]]
[[Category:2016 webcomic debuts]]
[[Category:2019 graphic novels]]
[[Category:2019 LGBTQ-related literary works]]
[[Category:2020s LGBTQ novels]]
[[Category:Aromantic fiction]]
[[Category:Asexual fiction]]
[[Category:British graphic novels]]
[[Category:British LGBTQ novels]]
[[Category:British romance novels]]
[[Category:British young adult novels]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into television series]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in literature]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related graphic novels]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related webcomics]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related young adult novels]]
[[Category:Tapastic webcomics]]
[[Category:Webtoons]]
[[Category:Graphic novels set in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Novels set in high schools and secondary schools]]
[[Category:Gay male teen fiction]]
[[Category:Novels about eating disorders]]
[[Category:Novels set in England]]