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thisisstephenbetts's review
This is a lot of fun - a surreal teen comedy, for kids. Would fit in very well at the DFC/Phoenix. I particularly liked the "For More Beers" chant at the class president elections.
readwithpassion's review
3.0
This is a funny, enjoyable graphic novel about the adventures of a boy named Teen Boat--a teenaged boy who can transform himself into a boat. I found myself smiling at this one. It would make for a great read for students in upper middle school or lower high school grades.
beths0103's review
4.0
The tagline of this graphic novel is quite catchy and is permanently ingrained on my brain: The angst of being a teen, the thrill of being a boat.
And with that, you get an idea of the quirky humor and ridiculous yet intriguing premise: a teenager who has the ability to transform into a boat at will. Upon first reading, I'm sure I missed all the symbolism permeating the story because I was just so delighted by the quirk factor. I think I will have to encounter a second reading very soon because I know there will be things I missed the first time around.
This book was a delightful surprise and I'm looking forward to reading more of Roman's work, especially after getting the chance to talk to him at NCTE.
And with that, you get an idea of the quirky humor and ridiculous yet intriguing premise: a teenager who has the ability to transform into a boat at will. Upon first reading, I'm sure I missed all the symbolism permeating the story because I was just so delighted by the quirk factor. I think I will have to encounter a second reading very soon because I know there will be things I missed the first time around.
This book was a delightful surprise and I'm looking forward to reading more of Roman's work, especially after getting the chance to talk to him at NCTE.
helpfulsnowman's review
2.0
Fun. Y'know, the illustration is pretty great. I'd give it a boost there. How someone illustrates ideas like this, that's miracles. I don't care what ICP says.
The story is pretty one note. It's a funny note, so it works. But, you know.
It made me think, though. Teen Boat(which is the kid's actual name)is unlike a lot of super-powered people in that he seems pretty pleased with his powers. Even though the power to turn into a boat doesn't SEEM all that useful or awesome.
It made me think, how would I feel if given various, lousy powers from other comic books?
+Paste Pot Pete
Hey, we have the same name! That makes this simpler. Unless I have to change my name. Is Pete his real name or his villain name? Anyway, this guy shoots a glue gun. Not like a hot glue gun for arts and crafts. A blobby paste gun that is good for crimes and crafts (crafts are universal). Although this isn't so much a power as a special gun, it would make for an interesting case in terms of weapons laws, I suppose.
+Super Pro
I had the first couple issues of Super Pro, the story of a man who was...gassed? Covered in acid? The story of a guy who got fucked up in some unimportant manner and then crawled to safety into an NFL super football player suit, which he then used to fight crimes. I guess, at least, I could make money playing football. That's something. But the idea of being a branded superhero is fairly repellant.
+Vibe (original)
I say "original" because Vibe came back in 2013, and Batman taught him how to fight. Having Batman teach you how to fight, that's got to be pretty much the best, right? It's like Wonder Woman teaching you how to deflect bullets or Superman teaching you how to...be folksy and make faces like mischievous kids in The Saturday Evening Post. Vibe does something with vibrations, but he's also an awesome breakdancer. I think this is a great skill. Who is the hero of EVERY wedding now? Who actually LOOK FORWARD to a wedding invitation as it's a chance to pop, lock, and BREAK? Yeah.
+Squirrel Girl
Aw, man. How's this for bad, I always thought Squirrel Girl was cute and nice. I don't want to make fun of Squirrel Girl.
+Teen Boat
Hmm...I guess I'd have to move to the coast. Or become a key player in the filming of nudity videos filmed at spots like Lake Powell and Lake Havasu.
The story is pretty one note. It's a funny note, so it works. But, you know.
It made me think, though. Teen Boat(which is the kid's actual name)is unlike a lot of super-powered people in that he seems pretty pleased with his powers. Even though the power to turn into a boat doesn't SEEM all that useful or awesome.
It made me think, how would I feel if given various, lousy powers from other comic books?
+Paste Pot Pete
Hey, we have the same name! That makes this simpler. Unless I have to change my name. Is Pete his real name or his villain name? Anyway, this guy shoots a glue gun. Not like a hot glue gun for arts and crafts. A blobby paste gun that is good for crimes and crafts (crafts are universal). Although this isn't so much a power as a special gun, it would make for an interesting case in terms of weapons laws, I suppose.
+Super Pro
I had the first couple issues of Super Pro, the story of a man who was...gassed? Covered in acid? The story of a guy who got fucked up in some unimportant manner and then crawled to safety into an NFL super football player suit, which he then used to fight crimes. I guess, at least, I could make money playing football. That's something. But the idea of being a branded superhero is fairly repellant.
+Vibe (original)
I say "original" because Vibe came back in 2013, and Batman taught him how to fight. Having Batman teach you how to fight, that's got to be pretty much the best, right? It's like Wonder Woman teaching you how to deflect bullets or Superman teaching you how to...be folksy and make faces like mischievous kids in The Saturday Evening Post. Vibe does something with vibrations, but he's also an awesome breakdancer. I think this is a great skill. Who is the hero of EVERY wedding now? Who actually LOOK FORWARD to a wedding invitation as it's a chance to pop, lock, and BREAK? Yeah.
+Squirrel Girl
Aw, man. How's this for bad, I always thought Squirrel Girl was cute and nice. I don't want to make fun of Squirrel Girl.
+Teen Boat
Hmm...I guess I'd have to move to the coast. Or become a key player in the filming of nudity videos filmed at spots like Lake Powell and Lake Havasu.
typesetjez's review
3.0
I met the authors at ALA and enjoyed their presentation and livereading immensely, enough to buy a copy of the book. It's hilarious, even going beyond the ridiculous tag line "The angst of being a teen...the thrill of being a boat!" With a tag like that, how could you go wrong? There are a lot of really clever plays on words and good jokes. At his presentation, John Green said there would be spoilers for those of us who could read Italian, but I have to say, the Italian only confirmed my theories. I figured out Joey's secret pretty early on in the book, but I look forward to seeing how it plays out in Book 2.
crystal_reading's review
2.0
I really enjoyed the end section where they explain how the graphic novel came to be with the whole process outlined. Cool.
renatasnacks's review
3.0
I wanted to like this more than I did? From what I knew about it it ("the angst of being a teen! the thrill of being a boat!") seemed like a very tongue-in-cheek satire of teen drama but it's pretty slapsticky. I think tweens and young teens will really love this. Am I too grown up for this? That's a TERRIBLE realization but possibly true.
nerfherder86's review
5.0
Funny all-ages graphic novel about a teen boy named--Teen Boat! He can transform into a small yacht ("I"m not a schooner!"), or involuntarily transform whenever water gets in his ear. He has typical teen problems, but they're boat-related (he breaks out in barnacles, not zits, haha!). Some of his classmates tease him, but everyone knows what he is. He has relationship issues: a crush on an exchange student (not a boat-person, but she is named "Nina Pinta Santamaria"! Snort!) ; his best friend has a crush on Teen Boat but TB is oblivious; TB goes to Venice on a class trip and falls in love with a gondola who can talk to him. He tries to get a driver's license but--what will happen if he transforms while driving a car?? OMG this is the silliest thing, but so. much. fun! I adore the art, my favorite kind of graphic novel art, nice clean bold outlines and bright colors, just a little stylized but mostly realistic, I dunno, traditional comic-book-comics.