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Zits novel
Zits: Chillax
Jeremy Duncan, future rock god, is going to his first real rock concert (Gingivitis rules!) without his parents (hallelujah!) and with a mission in mind. It'll be an epic night he'll never forget.
Comics genius Stan Lee calls Zits "a comedic masterpiece."
Featuring black-and-white illustrations on every page, Zits: Chillax is based on the hit syndicated comic strip.
Comics genius Stan Lee calls Zits "a comedic masterpiece."
Featuring black-and-white illustrations on every page, Zits: Chillax is based on the hit syndicated comic strip.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2013
51 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Scott
253 books100 followersJerry Scott is an American cartoonist. He is the creator of Baby Blues and co-creator of Zits.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 4, 2018
I think she imagines every time she turns her back we're playing naked Twister or something.
Sixteen-year-old Jeremy Duncan and best dude Hector are pumped to go to their first ever concert; legendary guitar mayhem bandand snort-worthy Rolling Stones knockoff Gingivitis.
Armed with a fully charged cellphone, (and a seat close to the humongous Jumbotron) Jeremy, guitarist for his and Hector's own group, Chickenfist, is determined to master a mysterious phantom guitar chord on the mayhem anthem Quintuple Amputee.
You can feel the walls throbbing. This is Rock 'n' Roll! This is what I am about!
But the glorious experience is overshadowed by their bassist and backing vocalist Tim's shocking explanation for his band practice absence.
"... Count me out today. Maybe for a while."
"My mom has cancer."
Jeremy's circle of tight friends (which he realizes Tim was never really a part of) is staggered by it, the enormity of a diagnosis, and Jeremy and Hector are mired in guilt over the face they bought TIM's tickets for the concert.
Jeremy and his friends aren't used to these feelings of guilt and uselessness, and when their backs are against the wall over how to help, none of them has any idea how to help their friend...
Or know if he even is their friend.
On a new path of discovery and realization, Jeremy, Hector and their assorted dudes and buds, will have to learn the hard way that cancer freaking sucks, but trying to help is harder than it looks.
"Dude,"
Pierce sighs.
"Dude,"
Goes Hector.
"Dude."
I agree. And that pretty much says it all.
Yeah. Chillax is a clip show.
Full of recycled quotes, stories and themes that have appeared in the comic in its (at the time) fifteen years of publication, like the whole plot about Tim's mom's cancer, the ultimate re-naming of Chickenfist, and the line Sara thinks when she's trying to ask boneheaded Jeremy to come see her at work, Chillax is wildly familiar to any religious reader of the funny pages.
BUT, despite that, the book itself is *mostly* new material. Some of the images are re-draws of popular strips, but a lot of the overall plot was new. The concert segment was hilariously accurate for a first-time arena show.
And the characters really came out of their trope-shelled comic personas:
Sara, while a bit airheaded, is smart and compassionate, and it's one of the reasons Jeremy loves her.
Hector, who calls Jeremy out on his shit more than anyone else, is his best friend and would do anything for him.
Mr. and Mrs. Duncan might get frustrated with their son sometimes, but they know he's just being a teenager, and they love and support him through his many adolescent trials.
And Jeremy himself, upon some major self-reflection, is a kind hearted person who loves his family and supports his friends, even if he IS kind of a chucklehead.
It seems like Scott and Borgman really took this opportunity to grow these people into more than a four-panel joke about puberty. I love that.
I'm a HUGE fan of Zits I learned to read by reading the comic strips, which later got me into graphic novels (which, by the way, Chillax is not. It's an illustrated novel). Jim Borgman is one of my favorite cartoonists, and I owe him a lot of credit as to why I started drawing my own stuff.
art specs
It's pretty much just Zits. A little more detail, some more backgrounding. Otherwise, it's the comic expanded. A fan should expect no less.
I've been reading Zits since I was a little kid comparing Jeremy to my big brother, then though being his contemporary, and now I'm OLDER than him.
Time marches on, and sometimes we measure that march with markers like this.
This book is a gift for fans, and a great gift it is. I appreciate and respect Scott and Borgman hugely, and I thank them for all they've done, and the impact they've had one me.
Crank some guitar mayhem, crack this book and just...
Chillax!
Sixteen-year-old Jeremy Duncan and best dude Hector are pumped to go to their first ever concert; legendary guitar mayhem band
Armed with a fully charged cellphone, (and a seat close to the humongous Jumbotron) Jeremy, guitarist for his and Hector's own group, Chickenfist, is determined to master a mysterious phantom guitar chord on the mayhem anthem Quintuple Amputee.
You can feel the walls throbbing. This is Rock 'n' Roll! This is what I am about!
But the glorious experience is overshadowed by their bassist and backing vocalist Tim's shocking explanation for his band practice absence.
"... Count me out today. Maybe for a while."
"My mom has cancer."
Jeremy's circle of tight friends (which he realizes Tim was never really a part of) is staggered by it, the enormity of a diagnosis, and Jeremy and Hector are mired in guilt over the face they bought TIM's tickets for the concert.
Jeremy and his friends aren't used to these feelings of guilt and uselessness, and when their backs are against the wall over how to help, none of them has any idea how to help their friend...
Or know if he even is their friend.
On a new path of discovery and realization, Jeremy, Hector and their assorted dudes and buds, will have to learn the hard way that cancer freaking sucks, but trying to help is harder than it looks.
"Dude,"
Pierce sighs.
"Dude,"
Goes Hector.
"Dude."
I agree. And that pretty much says it all.
Yeah. Chillax is a clip show.
Full of recycled quotes, stories and themes that have appeared in the comic in its (at the time) fifteen years of publication, like the whole plot about Tim's mom's cancer, the ultimate re-naming of Chickenfist, and the line Sara thinks when she's trying to ask boneheaded Jeremy to come see her at work, Chillax is wildly familiar to any religious reader of the funny pages.
BUT, despite that, the book itself is *mostly* new material. Some of the images are re-draws of popular strips, but a lot of the overall plot was new. The concert segment was hilariously accurate for a first-time arena show.
And the characters really came out of their trope-shelled comic personas:
Sara, while a bit airheaded, is smart and compassionate, and it's one of the reasons Jeremy loves her.
Hector, who calls Jeremy out on his shit more than anyone else, is his best friend and would do anything for him.
Mr. and Mrs. Duncan might get frustrated with their son sometimes, but they know he's just being a teenager, and they love and support him through his many adolescent trials.
And Jeremy himself, upon some major self-reflection, is a kind hearted person who loves his family and supports his friends, even if he IS kind of a chucklehead.
It seems like Scott and Borgman really took this opportunity to grow these people into more than a four-panel joke about puberty. I love that.
I'm a HUGE fan of Zits I learned to read by reading the comic strips, which later got me into graphic novels (which, by the way, Chillax is not. It's an illustrated novel). Jim Borgman is one of my favorite cartoonists, and I owe him a lot of credit as to why I started drawing my own stuff.
art specs
It's pretty much just Zits. A little more detail, some more backgrounding. Otherwise, it's the comic expanded. A fan should expect no less.
I've been reading Zits since I was a little kid comparing Jeremy to my big brother, then though being his contemporary, and now I'm OLDER than him.
Time marches on, and sometimes we measure that march with markers like this.
This book is a gift for fans, and a great gift it is. I appreciate and respect Scott and Borgman hugely, and I thank them for all they've done, and the impact they've had one me.
Crank some guitar mayhem, crack this book and just...
Chillax!
May 20, 2013
When I was a kid I loved reading the comic pages of the newspaper, or the 'funnies' as we always called them in my family. Zits, tragically accurate name aside, was always one of my favorites, perhaps even the favorite comic strip. Given that love, I was curious when I saw this book around, so when my dear friend Lenore (author of The Memory of After) offered me her ARC, I went for it. This novelization of the comic strip series was enjoyable if not quite as awesome as the strip itself.
While this is a novelization and not a collection of the Zits comics, which I thought might have been a possibility, fear not, as there are a bunch of illustrations in classic Zits style. Reading books with pictures is super refreshing, because all of a sudden I read so fast. Borgman's illustrations are hilarious, largely integrated into the story, including dialog responding to the prose text, though some are sort of commentaries on the story going on around it.
Jeremy continues to be the quintessential teenage boy. He completes his schoolwork at the last minute, recognizes the best ways to avoid getting stuck doing chores, and is completely embarrassed by his parents. This, right here, is what most teens I know experiences: present parents who care and are just sort of endlessly the bane of your existence, as though they purposefully want to harm your tenuous social status. Jeremy hates talking about his feelings and converses primarily with the word "Dude." He's a teenage boy with dreams of being a rock god, who sometimes forgets where his bed is and sleeps on the piles of stuff on his floor. Oh yeah, and he sleeps until the afternoon because that's what teens do.
Two elements combine for the plot of Zits: Chillax: a concert and cancer. Jeremy and his best friend Hector have tickets to go see their favorite band, Gingivitis, but are unsure whether they'll be able to convince their parents to let them go. At the same time, their band Chickenfist is in trouble when Tim, the bassist, announces that he'll be leaving them for a while, as his mother has cancer. The boys, unsure how to handle such an emotional moment decide that they need to go to this concert for Tim. This premise does make me a bit uncomfortable, using cancer as a device to move the plot along, rather than conveying the seriousness of it.
Aside from the cancer thing, Zits: Chillax is a series of hijinks related to getting to the concert. There are a lot of great funny moments, especially the moments where they're just hanging out with their friends being teens or when Jeremy's complaining about his parents. Oddly, the teen/parent dynamics have always been my favorite part of the comic, since they're so spot on, both to the affection and the rampant frustration involved in the relationship.
The pacing of Zits: Chillax is fast, even without the pictures. It's a light, fluffy read that can be enjoyed by boys and girls alike, as well as fans of the comic.
While this is a novelization and not a collection of the Zits comics, which I thought might have been a possibility, fear not, as there are a bunch of illustrations in classic Zits style. Reading books with pictures is super refreshing, because all of a sudden I read so fast. Borgman's illustrations are hilarious, largely integrated into the story, including dialog responding to the prose text, though some are sort of commentaries on the story going on around it.
Jeremy continues to be the quintessential teenage boy. He completes his schoolwork at the last minute, recognizes the best ways to avoid getting stuck doing chores, and is completely embarrassed by his parents. This, right here, is what most teens I know experiences: present parents who care and are just sort of endlessly the bane of your existence, as though they purposefully want to harm your tenuous social status. Jeremy hates talking about his feelings and converses primarily with the word "Dude." He's a teenage boy with dreams of being a rock god, who sometimes forgets where his bed is and sleeps on the piles of stuff on his floor. Oh yeah, and he sleeps until the afternoon because that's what teens do.
Two elements combine for the plot of Zits: Chillax: a concert and cancer. Jeremy and his best friend Hector have tickets to go see their favorite band, Gingivitis, but are unsure whether they'll be able to convince their parents to let them go. At the same time, their band Chickenfist is in trouble when Tim, the bassist, announces that he'll be leaving them for a while, as his mother has cancer. The boys, unsure how to handle such an emotional moment decide that they need to go to this concert for Tim. This premise does make me a bit uncomfortable, using cancer as a device to move the plot along, rather than conveying the seriousness of it.
Aside from the cancer thing, Zits: Chillax is a series of hijinks related to getting to the concert. There are a lot of great funny moments, especially the moments where they're just hanging out with their friends being teens or when Jeremy's complaining about his parents. Oddly, the teen/parent dynamics have always been my favorite part of the comic, since they're so spot on, both to the affection and the rampant frustration involved in the relationship.
The pacing of Zits: Chillax is fast, even without the pictures. It's a light, fluffy read that can be enjoyed by boys and girls alike, as well as fans of the comic.
June 13, 2013
Tripp read this!
Everyone knows the comics in the newspaper are a very funny part of the day. Now, Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, the writers of the comic Zits, just released a new book called Zits: Chillax, about Jeremy, Hector and the rest of the Zits gang! This is an awesome book for kids who love the original comic and even for those who haven’t read it!
This story starts when Jeremy and Hector get tickets for the best rock band in the world, Gingivitis. They still have to get permission from their parents, because of Gingivitis’s spotty record.
Then suddenly, Tim, another of Jeremy’s friends, announces that his mom has cancer. Tim is going to donate bone marrow for her. This changes everything because he is going to go through a huge operation and they want to do something for him. Once Jeremy and Hector get permission to go, they are already determined to go to the concert and get something for Tim. When the concert comes, it is not what they expect. They are about to have the most surprising night in the world!
I really love this book and would rate it 5 stars. I love it because it explains the other corners of Jeremy’s life, like that his mom is writing a book about taking care of teenagers and their antics, and that once, Tim’s car blew up and he put a video of it on YouTube. I also like this book because the illustrations run with the text, not him telling everything in words and having pictures help it out. This is the authors’ first book, and it comes out on June 13. I would recommend this book from 10 and up, because of some spotty language and disturbing scenes. I would still recommend this to people who have not read the comic, because it gives you all you need to know about the characters.
Everyone knows the comics in the newspaper are a very funny part of the day. Now, Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, the writers of the comic Zits, just released a new book called Zits: Chillax, about Jeremy, Hector and the rest of the Zits gang! This is an awesome book for kids who love the original comic and even for those who haven’t read it!
This story starts when Jeremy and Hector get tickets for the best rock band in the world, Gingivitis. They still have to get permission from their parents, because of Gingivitis’s spotty record.
Then suddenly, Tim, another of Jeremy’s friends, announces that his mom has cancer. Tim is going to donate bone marrow for her. This changes everything because he is going to go through a huge operation and they want to do something for him. Once Jeremy and Hector get permission to go, they are already determined to go to the concert and get something for Tim. When the concert comes, it is not what they expect. They are about to have the most surprising night in the world!
I really love this book and would rate it 5 stars. I love it because it explains the other corners of Jeremy’s life, like that his mom is writing a book about taking care of teenagers and their antics, and that once, Tim’s car blew up and he put a video of it on YouTube. I also like this book because the illustrations run with the text, not him telling everything in words and having pictures help it out. This is the authors’ first book, and it comes out on June 13. I would recommend this book from 10 and up, because of some spotty language and disturbing scenes. I would still recommend this to people who have not read the comic, because it gives you all you need to know about the characters.
February 6, 2014
Enjoyable reading turning the comic strip into a graphic novel.
July 3, 2025
Not bad! Interesting concept, reversing the novel-to-graphic presentation; works surprisingly well here. And I laughed, too.
November 4, 2019
3.5 stars. This is a novel with illustrations (think Diary of a Wimpy Kid) starring the characters from the Zits comic strips. I found the story fun and funny. The same humor from the comic - teen stereotypes like big appetites, perpetual sleep, messiness, etc. - abounds. And while the core of the story is Jeremy and Hector going to a concert without a parent for the first time, it's also a story about cancer. The band's bass player had to sell his concert tickets to the guys because he's having a bone marrow transplant to help his mom. And Jeremy isn't sure how to respond or relate (again, a stereotype of teen boys - the girls seem more prepared to relate to Tim, although Pierce does too). If you accept the stereotypes in the spirit in which they are used - for humor, not for criticism - there's plenty to enjoy in this. Musicians and music fans will enjoy all the performance and concert pieces.
While the characters are all older teens and the subject matter has serious pieces with the cancer thread, in general this feels young to me. I could see this as an older middle grade title - kids 10 to 14 or so - rather than a straight up teen story.
While the characters are all older teens and the subject matter has serious pieces with the cancer thread, in general this feels young to me. I could see this as an older middle grade title - kids 10 to 14 or so - rather than a straight up teen story.
June 5, 2025
Book 107 of 350 ~ 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Silly me - I read this book after book 2. duh. sweet story with funny bits.. some of the characters like the band look like they were drawn like Roald Dahl's The Witches, i.e., by Quentin Blake.
I still prefer the strips, though..
#book107of350 #amreading #zits #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Silly me - I read this book after book 2. duh. sweet story with funny bits.. some of the characters like the band look like they were drawn like Roald Dahl's The Witches, i.e., by Quentin Blake.
I still prefer the strips, though..
#book107of350 #amreading #zits #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
October 1, 2020
This was a fun little read. Zits is, probably, my favorite comic of all time, so a novelization was interesting and enjoyable, although I had no idea it was written in 2013 until a reference to Katy Perry popped up (for some reason, I mentally place all Zits comics in the late 90s/early 2000s). Seeing elements from the comics as Easter eggs or running jokes was fun, but I do miss Hector's classic look and was also a bit disappointed that Jeremy's parents weren't included as much. Still, a nice piece of fluff.
August 29, 2019
A funny and entertaining adolescent maile voice!
Read
September 9, 2019I LOVED IT!!! Some parts were really funny. There was one part i hated that i wont mention because SPOILER ALERT would happen. But i definitely recommend this book
Read
December 18, 2019never give up on dreams
March 17, 2020
Hit the spot.
Read
November 22, 2022Jereä romaanimuodossa. Toimi paremmin kuin oletin, mutta ei tästä seuraava siivutettua leipää tule.
July 15, 2014
Sixteen-year-old Jeremy is a future rock god. Jeremy’s band practices every Saturday and he’s been learning the guitar part for “Quintuple Amputee.” If he can just figure out that crazy chord the guitar player for Gingivitis, the “best guitar mayhem band since Flatulent Rat,” uses, he would really get a feel for the heart of the song – too bad that chord is so tough to play it’s rumored to have been outlawed in a few southern states. That’s a different story, though. The real story here is that Jeremy’s friend Tim sold him and his best amigo, Hector, a pair of tickets to the Gingivitis concert. His first real concert! Without his parents! It’s going to be epic – if he and Hector can convince their parents to let them go, that is. Jeremy has been responsible, lately; after all, he did put his own ice cream bowl in the dishwasher when his mom had the flu. Surely that kind of maturity is enough to convince them to let them go. They even teamed up to buy their own car, a VW hippie van so vintage that even the cement blocks it sat on looked “retro and cool.” When Jeremy and Hector find out that Tim actually sold them the concert tickets because he has to donate bone marrow to his sick mother, though, the two friends decide they have to make it to that show and have an epic time – for Tim!
Chillax is the first novel based on the popular Zits comic strip, written by Jerry Scott and illustrated by Jim Borgman. Like the comics, Chillax is a lot of fun. The novel really expands on the characters of the strip, while maintaining the heart and simple comedic nature of a story that is usually told in 3 panels. Scott’s storytelling and writing style stays true to its comic nature, maintaining a casual voice, never overextending itself, and not taking itself too seriously. The boys’ typical day includes engineering a way to start their van by using Hector’s retainer, mistaking piles of dirty clothes for beds, and procrastinating when it comes to writing a paper on some ancient waterbed scandal involving Richard Nixon. What the writing may lack in eloquence, it more than makes up for in both humor and insight into the mind of a 16-year-old teenage rocker – some of the ideas even hit a little too close to home.
Almost all of the pages are accompanied by Borgman’s simple, yet charming, comic art. Scott and Borgman do a wonderful job transitioning between written and graphic storytelling elements of the book, often using panels to finish a thought or add to the scene – think Diary of a Wimpy Kid, only a little more grown up. The illustrations really capture the characters’ feelings and contribute to the tone of the book. When Tim tells Jeremy why he sold his concert tickets, it’s done on a full page with darkened lines and shadows, highlighting the only words on the page – “My mom has cancer.” It’s a simple, but effective, technique used by a number of comic artists, but it’s a little notion that really adds to the experience of the book and the effectiveness of the storytelling. Some of the artwork is a little distracting, though, and it is often tempting to read the comic panels before actually reading the paragraphs leading up to them. As easy as it is to follow the story, however, this never really becomes an issue.
The world of Zits is modern enough to include social commentary about texting and using Facebook, but the ideas expand across generations. Jeremy dresses like he’s heading to a Pearl Jam show, idolizes a band that could be Motley Crüe, and takes off on a “Detroit Rock City” style adventure. Scott’s writing pays tribute to 40-plus years of hard rock, while simultaneously making fun of it in a way that rock music fans can appreciate. Who wouldn’t want to hear Gingivitis’s hit album Does This Look Infected? The book has a lot of heart, too, exploring different aspects of the relationship between friends and family. For example, while coping with cancer is a major theme in the novel, the subject is dealt with in a positive, uplifting way. Tim’s friends want to find ways to help and support him, and Jeremy is able to learn a lesson about the importance of simply listening to a friend in his time of need. The emotions and revelations are never forced on the reader, but rather feel natural in the progression of the story.
Some of the anecdotes in the story come straight from the comic strip, but fans of Zits will still find plenty of appeal in the novel. For those not familiar with the comic, the novel is still a quality read and nice introduction to the series. Teens, especially guys with an appreciation for rock music and guitar playing, will love the humor, and at nearly 240 illustration-filled pages, Chillax is even easy enough for middle readers. Fast readers can potentially read it in one sitting! To sum things up, Chillax is a quick, funny read that manages to put a little heart into the sleazy world of rock music. So, Dude, why wouldn’t you read it?
Spoiler alert: the acoustic intro to Gingivitis’s “Quintuple Amputee” is actually plucked on the guitar player’s nipple studs! Who knew?
Chillax is the first novel based on the popular Zits comic strip, written by Jerry Scott and illustrated by Jim Borgman. Like the comics, Chillax is a lot of fun. The novel really expands on the characters of the strip, while maintaining the heart and simple comedic nature of a story that is usually told in 3 panels. Scott’s storytelling and writing style stays true to its comic nature, maintaining a casual voice, never overextending itself, and not taking itself too seriously. The boys’ typical day includes engineering a way to start their van by using Hector’s retainer, mistaking piles of dirty clothes for beds, and procrastinating when it comes to writing a paper on some ancient waterbed scandal involving Richard Nixon. What the writing may lack in eloquence, it more than makes up for in both humor and insight into the mind of a 16-year-old teenage rocker – some of the ideas even hit a little too close to home.
Almost all of the pages are accompanied by Borgman’s simple, yet charming, comic art. Scott and Borgman do a wonderful job transitioning between written and graphic storytelling elements of the book, often using panels to finish a thought or add to the scene – think Diary of a Wimpy Kid, only a little more grown up. The illustrations really capture the characters’ feelings and contribute to the tone of the book. When Tim tells Jeremy why he sold his concert tickets, it’s done on a full page with darkened lines and shadows, highlighting the only words on the page – “My mom has cancer.” It’s a simple, but effective, technique used by a number of comic artists, but it’s a little notion that really adds to the experience of the book and the effectiveness of the storytelling. Some of the artwork is a little distracting, though, and it is often tempting to read the comic panels before actually reading the paragraphs leading up to them. As easy as it is to follow the story, however, this never really becomes an issue.
The world of Zits is modern enough to include social commentary about texting and using Facebook, but the ideas expand across generations. Jeremy dresses like he’s heading to a Pearl Jam show, idolizes a band that could be Motley Crüe, and takes off on a “Detroit Rock City” style adventure. Scott’s writing pays tribute to 40-plus years of hard rock, while simultaneously making fun of it in a way that rock music fans can appreciate. Who wouldn’t want to hear Gingivitis’s hit album Does This Look Infected? The book has a lot of heart, too, exploring different aspects of the relationship between friends and family. For example, while coping with cancer is a major theme in the novel, the subject is dealt with in a positive, uplifting way. Tim’s friends want to find ways to help and support him, and Jeremy is able to learn a lesson about the importance of simply listening to a friend in his time of need. The emotions and revelations are never forced on the reader, but rather feel natural in the progression of the story.
Some of the anecdotes in the story come straight from the comic strip, but fans of Zits will still find plenty of appeal in the novel. For those not familiar with the comic, the novel is still a quality read and nice introduction to the series. Teens, especially guys with an appreciation for rock music and guitar playing, will love the humor, and at nearly 240 illustration-filled pages, Chillax is even easy enough for middle readers. Fast readers can potentially read it in one sitting! To sum things up, Chillax is a quick, funny read that manages to put a little heart into the sleazy world of rock music. So, Dude, why wouldn’t you read it?
Spoiler alert: the acoustic intro to Gingivitis’s “Quintuple Amputee” is actually plucked on the guitar player’s nipple studs! Who knew?
June 23, 2013
Zits: Chillax (Harper, $9.99) by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman is an illustrated novel, a form that's made a popular comeback in the comics world with the success of Wimpy Kid. The genre is old though - I've got a copy of Skippy by Percy Crosby from 1929 sitting next to my computer as I type this. Borgman's illustrations are integral to the story, as the text quits and let the picture carry the story at times.
I had no idea that a Zits young adult novel was coming out, and was rather surprised to get a copy. For any fan of the strip, it's definitely worth reading. Since the press release says the comic is in 1,700 papers, that's probably a respectable number of people. The novel features all the main characters and reads much like a comic strip continuity. Strip star Jeremy and his best friend Hector have tickets to a Gingivitis concert. The band "has a reputationf or some pretty insane stage behavior. Sure, there has been the occasional wardrobe slippage, virgin sacrifice, and live animal ingestion, but it's not like these guys use that to get attention. They are first and foremost musicians." In between ignoring homework about Richard Nixon and Watergate, the two boys need to figure out how to get permission to go to the concert. When they find out that their garage band's guitar-player Tim sold them his tickets because his mother has cancer (a revelation done solely as a splash page illustration), they decide to go to concert and buy something memorable there for Tim (with a bit of prodding from Jeremy's girlfriend Sara).
The novel slips into slapstick when they get to the concert, but even with the cancer subtext it's a light fun read. Borgman's cartoons definitely add to the story, and while Scott's language is probably not that of a real teen, he has a way with a phrase. If you or your children enjoy a drawing with an accompanying sentence such as "There's something beautiful about causing somebody to spew a mouthful of soda just by saying something hilarious (unless, you know, you're in the row in front of that person)" give this novel a try. A second book, Shredded, is previewed at the end. I'll be looking for it.
I had no idea that a Zits young adult novel was coming out, and was rather surprised to get a copy. For any fan of the strip, it's definitely worth reading. Since the press release says the comic is in 1,700 papers, that's probably a respectable number of people. The novel features all the main characters and reads much like a comic strip continuity. Strip star Jeremy and his best friend Hector have tickets to a Gingivitis concert. The band "has a reputationf or some pretty insane stage behavior. Sure, there has been the occasional wardrobe slippage, virgin sacrifice, and live animal ingestion, but it's not like these guys use that to get attention. They are first and foremost musicians." In between ignoring homework about Richard Nixon and Watergate, the two boys need to figure out how to get permission to go to the concert. When they find out that their garage band's guitar-player Tim sold them his tickets because his mother has cancer (a revelation done solely as a splash page illustration), they decide to go to concert and buy something memorable there for Tim (with a bit of prodding from Jeremy's girlfriend Sara).
The novel slips into slapstick when they get to the concert, but even with the cancer subtext it's a light fun read. Borgman's cartoons definitely add to the story, and while Scott's language is probably not that of a real teen, he has a way with a phrase. If you or your children enjoy a drawing with an accompanying sentence such as "There's something beautiful about causing somebody to spew a mouthful of soda just by saying something hilarious (unless, you know, you're in the row in front of that person)" give this novel a try. A second book, Shredded, is previewed at the end. I'll be looking for it.
February 20, 2017
I liked the idea of this book, and there were some funny parts. But it wasn't nearly as entertaining as the comic strip. Perhaps my teen son will enjoy it more; I found that reading from the kid's perspective just didn't appeal to me that much as a parent.
January 24, 2016
In ‘Zits: Chillax’, Jeremy is excited to experience his first ever rock concert of his favourite band ‘Gingivitis’. However, he has to find a way to make sure that he can attend it as he knows his parents wouldn’t approve.
As expected, this featured Zits’ usual sense of humour hence there was plenty of sarcasm and fun banters. Despite enjoying this, I found the content to be somewhat lacking. For one thing, it’s inevitable that of course Jeremy would succeed in his quest to attend the much-anticipated concert with his friend, Hector. Perhaps I’m overthinking this but it seemed to be a little too easy for him. It would have been a lot funnier and more believable if he had to resort to sneaking out instead of making use of a serious issue (cancer) and relying on a really flimsy excuse.
That being said, I particularly enjoyed the bits about the van. The steps required (hint: retainers) in order to successfully get it revved up and running were hilarious. Plus, the descriptions of the van certainly gave it a lot of character. Besides that, their trip to the concert venue and their subsequent experience there were filled with numerous adventures which kept the story flowing and me turning the pages. I also liked the incorporation of the black-and-white comic strips throughout the book. Imagination is wonderful but sometimes it’s nice to have the visuals laid out before your very own eyes.
The ending was satisfying and in sync with the story as a whole. Overall, ‘Zits: Chillax’ was enjoyable and it’s great especially if you’re looking for a quick and light read tinged with humorous moments.
As expected, this featured Zits’ usual sense of humour hence there was plenty of sarcasm and fun banters. Despite enjoying this, I found the content to be somewhat lacking. For one thing, it’s inevitable that of course Jeremy would succeed in his quest to attend the much-anticipated concert with his friend, Hector. Perhaps I’m overthinking this but it seemed to be a little too easy for him. It would have been a lot funnier and more believable if he had to resort to sneaking out instead of making use of a serious issue (cancer) and relying on a really flimsy excuse.
That being said, I particularly enjoyed the bits about the van. The steps required (hint: retainers) in order to successfully get it revved up and running were hilarious. Plus, the descriptions of the van certainly gave it a lot of character. Besides that, their trip to the concert venue and their subsequent experience there were filled with numerous adventures which kept the story flowing and me turning the pages. I also liked the incorporation of the black-and-white comic strips throughout the book. Imagination is wonderful but sometimes it’s nice to have the visuals laid out before your very own eyes.
The ending was satisfying and in sync with the story as a whole. Overall, ‘Zits: Chillax’ was enjoyable and it’s great especially if you’re looking for a quick and light read tinged with humorous moments.
September 22, 2013
Jeremy felt helpless that his friend(Tim)’s mom got cancer. Jeremy and his friends were finally going to get to go to an epic rock concert without any parents (the band they want to see is called Gingivitis) but Tim is donating bone marrow for his mom on that night. Jeremy and his best friends Hector, Pierce, Sara (Jeremy’s girlfriend) and Dijon (Sara’s BFF) try to figure out how to help Tim. Sara and Dijon decide to go with Tim to the hospital when he donated the marrow, Pierce shaves his head in support, Jeremy and Hector hatch a plan of their own to try to help out.
When I first got this book, I was thinking it would be a compilation (that’s my new word for today – thank you Mr. Thesaurus :) ) of Zits comic strips. I love reading Zits in the newspaper! This isn’t a bunch of comics, it’s a middle grade novel! Very cool. The novel has a bunch of great black and white illustrations throughout it. I think that Mr. Scott and Mr. Borgman did a great job changing their comic strip into an MG book. I also liked that besides lots of comic strip humor, the book had a story. It tells about how Jeremy has to deal with his girlfriend and how he wants to get to the rock concert but it also has the serious part to the plot about his friend’s mom having cancer. It made the story believable for me. It is kind of like real life. I also liked that I learned more about the characters in the Zits comic than I get just reading the strip.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
When I first got this book, I was thinking it would be a compilation (that’s my new word for today – thank you Mr. Thesaurus :) ) of Zits comic strips. I love reading Zits in the newspaper! This isn’t a bunch of comics, it’s a middle grade novel! Very cool. The novel has a bunch of great black and white illustrations throughout it. I think that Mr. Scott and Mr. Borgman did a great job changing their comic strip into an MG book. I also liked that besides lots of comic strip humor, the book had a story. It tells about how Jeremy has to deal with his girlfriend and how he wants to get to the rock concert but it also has the serious part to the plot about his friend’s mom having cancer. It made the story believable for me. It is kind of like real life. I also liked that I learned more about the characters in the Zits comic than I get just reading the strip.
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 1, 2013
Originally posted at yAdult Review
While not a full length novel, I am fully in love with Zits: Chillax. It’s Jeremy’s coming of age story told much how the daily funnies are, but with a bit more substance. I also relate to Jeremy and the way that he deals with his parents. The fact that they force him to get out of bed and talk is a lot for Jeremy most days. And no matter who you are, when you’re a teen there are many days that you just want to lay in your bed and ignore the world.
This book also deals with two very important issues to Jeremy. 1) The Gingivitis concert, only the most important concert of Jeremy’s life and 2) the fact that Tim’s mom recently got cancer. The way that Scott and Borgman weave together not only the concert, but the heavy story of cancer is a testament to how a graphic novel can be. Jeremy handles cancer as well as can be expected for Jeremy. He speaks to Tim is dude code and doesn’t get why his girlfriend and her BFF are freaking out. Boys don’t show emotion, they know that! But through the girls, and growing up not only do Jeremy and Hector grow up but they learn while everything doesn’t work perfectly all the time. Life often is perfect for them in the end.
And as always, Scott and Borgman, really sell the novel and the life of a teenage boy.
While not a full length novel, I am fully in love with Zits: Chillax. It’s Jeremy’s coming of age story told much how the daily funnies are, but with a bit more substance. I also relate to Jeremy and the way that he deals with his parents. The fact that they force him to get out of bed and talk is a lot for Jeremy most days. And no matter who you are, when you’re a teen there are many days that you just want to lay in your bed and ignore the world.
This book also deals with two very important issues to Jeremy. 1) The Gingivitis concert, only the most important concert of Jeremy’s life and 2) the fact that Tim’s mom recently got cancer. The way that Scott and Borgman weave together not only the concert, but the heavy story of cancer is a testament to how a graphic novel can be. Jeremy handles cancer as well as can be expected for Jeremy. He speaks to Tim is dude code and doesn’t get why his girlfriend and her BFF are freaking out. Boys don’t show emotion, they know that! But through the girls, and growing up not only do Jeremy and Hector grow up but they learn while everything doesn’t work perfectly all the time. Life often is perfect for them in the end.
And as always, Scott and Borgman, really sell the novel and the life of a teenage boy.
November 16, 2013
I somehow did not even know that the word “chillax” was still a thing. I was unaware that people still used it seriously, given that it was cool when I was in high school like 10 years ago. I mean, we would put up AIM away messages (LOL, remember those?) saying things like “just chillaxing with my girls – hit me up”. So, yeah I guess just hearing some old slang causes me to ramble on and on and on. It also causes me to pick up a book, Zits: Chillax by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman in particular. Another thing which fed into my picking this book up? There were like all these goodreads ads for it, including a giant block, so every time I logged into update my status I was triggered by the ads to look at the book and eventually read it WHILE THE ADS WERE STILL RUNNING. I really am that person that ads work on. Anyways, it turns out that Zits: Chillax is a quick, fun experience that I would recommend to even the most reluctant of readers.
Read the rest of my review here
Note: Review link will go live 2/6/14
Read the rest of my review here
Note: Review link will go live 2/6/14
August 20, 2013
I love this series in comic form and fell even deeper thanks to this novel.
All the fun, insightful truths that make Zits so funny are still there. The wit and sarcasm, the unique yet familiar way that Jeremy sees the world, is perfectly translated into long form.
It all comes together with the great illustrations by Jim Borgman to tell a great and entertaining story.
Jeremy’s first solo concert adventure coincides with his friend Tim’s mother getting diagnosed with cancer. Jerry Scott does an excellent job of portraying the way that different teenagers deal with such massive news. Jeremy’s confusion and uncertainty about how to show his friend that he’s there for him and his desire to show support are the backbone of the story, even more than the concert.
That doesn’t mean that the concert doesn’t rock. Jeremy’s first solo concert is the kind of adventure everyone dreams of having, and the souvenir they get to cheer up Tim is the stuff of legend.
Really well written and delightfully illustrated, this is a must read for fans of the comic stip.
A special treat is that it can still be enjoyed if you’re not familiar with the original strip.
All the fun, insightful truths that make Zits so funny are still there. The wit and sarcasm, the unique yet familiar way that Jeremy sees the world, is perfectly translated into long form.
It all comes together with the great illustrations by Jim Borgman to tell a great and entertaining story.
Jeremy’s first solo concert adventure coincides with his friend Tim’s mother getting diagnosed with cancer. Jerry Scott does an excellent job of portraying the way that different teenagers deal with such massive news. Jeremy’s confusion and uncertainty about how to show his friend that he’s there for him and his desire to show support are the backbone of the story, even more than the concert.
That doesn’t mean that the concert doesn’t rock. Jeremy’s first solo concert is the kind of adventure everyone dreams of having, and the souvenir they get to cheer up Tim is the stuff of legend.
Really well written and delightfully illustrated, this is a must read for fans of the comic stip.
A special treat is that it can still be enjoyed if you’re not familiar with the original strip.
October 27, 2014
Very funny and heartwarming novel by the author and illustrator of the Zits comic strip--heavily illustrated like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries. The main plot is that Jeremy and his best friend Hector have tickets to go see their favorite rock band, but their friend Tim isn't going--because he's going to accompany his mom to cancer treatments. Jeremy and Hector decide that going to the concert will be their way of showing support for Tim--and to use this as their justification to their parents to get permission to go to the show. What follows are some hilarious hijinks and concert escapades, funny stuff between Jeremy and his girlfriend about the difference between boys and girls when it comes to sharing feelings, and some nice moments between guy friends. If you know the strip, you'll be familiar with the characters and enjoy the jokes. If you don't know the strip it's still a fun lighthearted teen novel about boys who worship rock gods and what happens when they find the illusion of their heroes stripped away. How to deal with life's difficult moments when they happen to your best friend. And is "Chickenfist" really a good name for a garage band?
May 21, 2013
I received an ARC of this book through a giveaway on Goodreads. Jeremy Duncan is a typical teenage kid, he feels his parents don't understand him and he has an "Ohio Hot" girlfriend named Sara. He plays in a band with his best friend Hector, and their friends Tim and Pierce. He also owns a VW van with more issues than Playboy. Jeremy and Hector have received tickets to see their favorite band, Gingivitis, from Tim. They soon learn that Tim had to give up the tickets because his mother has cancer and he is donating bone marrow that night. Jeremy and Hector are unsure how to handle this news, but decide they will go to the greatest concert imaginable and have an epic time ... for Tim.
I read the book in one day and did not want to put it down. The writing style is what I have come to expect from the comic strip. It was a quick read full of humor and heart. The jokes feel very natural to the story and nothing feels forced in the writing. I loved the illustrations that were included in the book, although I know not all of the pictures will be the ones in the final version.
I read the book in one day and did not want to put it down. The writing style is what I have come to expect from the comic strip. It was a quick read full of humor and heart. The jokes feel very natural to the story and nothing feels forced in the writing. I loved the illustrations that were included in the book, although I know not all of the pictures will be the ones in the final version.
August 6, 2015
It's an okay read, but Jerry Scott's strength is in shorter writing, not this.
I like the Zits comic, so when I got a gift card I picked this up. The plot is a typical teenager coming-of-age story: realizing that there are bigger things in the universe than your own tiny world. Yet by the end of the book I was a touch disappointed, as I don't think Jeremy walked away with a life lesson learned (unless this is typical for teenage boys? I was never one.).
The humour is great (a lot of small chuckles and smiles from me) and Jim Borgman's illustrations are hilarious. But the story feels it would've been better as an extended comic storyline, as Scott's writing lends itself more to the one-shot moments of hilarity or clarity. While there were plenty of moments, the book lacks re-reading value to me because there wasn't anything particularly memorable I wanted to look at again.
I like the Zits comic, so when I got a gift card I picked this up. The plot is a typical teenager coming-of-age story: realizing that there are bigger things in the universe than your own tiny world. Yet by the end of the book I was a touch disappointed, as I don't think Jeremy walked away with a life lesson learned (unless this is typical for teenage boys? I was never one.).
The humour is great (a lot of small chuckles and smiles from me) and Jim Borgman's illustrations are hilarious. But the story feels it would've been better as an extended comic storyline, as Scott's writing lends itself more to the one-shot moments of hilarity or clarity. While there were plenty of moments, the book lacks re-reading value to me because there wasn't anything particularly memorable I wanted to look at again.
August 23, 2013
The authors/illustrators of the Zits comic strip have done a remarkable job in expanding the characters into a full-length novel, integrating the prose with original drawings. And by doing so they give their main character,Jeremy, some much-needed depth (as they do for Hector, Pierce, and the oft-forgotten Tim).
The story deals with Jeremy and Hector going to a concert by their Rock God heroes, Gingivitis, a serious health scare, friendship, and, of course, a bit of growing up. Like the comic strip, he story never talks down to teens (or adults) and respects all viewpoints.
Honestly, if someone had told me I would like this book as much as I did, I doubt I would have believed it
If you have a reluctant reader who at least reads the Zits comic strip, do them a favor and get them this book (or Zits: Shreader). They'll hank you for it. (Mind you, if they're a teenager you might have to wait for a decade or two for that thank you...)
The story deals with Jeremy and Hector going to a concert by their Rock God heroes, Gingivitis, a serious health scare, friendship, and, of course, a bit of growing up. Like the comic strip, he story never talks down to teens (or adults) and respects all viewpoints.
Honestly, if someone had told me I would like this book as much as I did, I doubt I would have believed it
If you have a reluctant reader who at least reads the Zits comic strip, do them a favor and get them this book (or Zits: Shreader). They'll hank you for it. (Mind you, if they're a teenager you might have to wait for a decade or two for that thank you...)
August 31, 2013
So, I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I picked this up --but I was excited. The low down is this: Tim (the drummer of the band) sells Jeremy and Hector his tickets to the upcoming Gingivitis concert because...he'll be busy that night, donating bone marrow because his Mom has cancer.
DOWNER.
The guys go on an epic adventure "for Tim", hoping to bring him back an awesome souvenir...and lets just say, the best laid plans don't always go well...especially where Jeremy and Hector are concerned!
I look forward to the next novelization, as a huge fan of ZITS for as LONG as I can remember. It's deals with a heavy issue, which was unexpected, but is taken care of in a light-hearted and very teenaged boy way. A great first effort, that will only improve as Jerry Scott and Co. continue to work on these novels.
DOWNER.
The guys go on an epic adventure "for Tim", hoping to bring him back an awesome souvenir...and lets just say, the best laid plans don't always go well...especially where Jeremy and Hector are concerned!
I look forward to the next novelization, as a huge fan of ZITS for as LONG as I can remember. It's deals with a heavy issue, which was unexpected, but is taken care of in a light-hearted and very teenaged boy way. A great first effort, that will only improve as Jerry Scott and Co. continue to work on these novels.
July 21, 2013
3.5 stars. I love Zits the comic, that's why I entered to win this book on a giveaway. So when I won I was pretty happy!
Anyway, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I actually really liked it. It made me laugh and it was a really good, pretty light read (it was a nice break from the somewhat intense books I've been reading lately).
I recommend this book for people of all ages, except maybe younger kids, depending on maturity level I guess.
I liked that it was half written, half comic/illustrated, I really liked that element and it made it different and standout.
Of course the characters were awesome, Jeremy has always been one of my favorite comic characters so of course I really enjoyed his character and narration in this book as well.
Overall, really fantastic read!
Anyway, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I actually really liked it. It made me laugh and it was a really good, pretty light read (it was a nice break from the somewhat intense books I've been reading lately).
I recommend this book for people of all ages, except maybe younger kids, depending on maturity level I guess.
I liked that it was half written, half comic/illustrated, I really liked that element and it made it different and standout.
Of course the characters were awesome, Jeremy has always been one of my favorite comic characters so of course I really enjoyed his character and narration in this book as well.
Overall, really fantastic read!
June 23, 2013
Got this ARC as a Goodreads Giveaway. As a big fan of Zits I really enjoyed this one. Great story, loved how the comic was spun into a novel and how it was written so well from Jeremy's point of view. The plot itself had such touching moments and found how each character dealt with the main issue (cancer) in different ways. The sketches and drawings throughout the book were lovely, adding more humor to the book, and the antics of Jeremy and Hector were hilarious as ever. A book I read in one sitting, fun and entertaining it also draws on the emotional heartstrings and touches on a difficult subject in a way that makes talking about it easier for a younger audience.
November 11, 2013
I won an ARC cop via Goodreads, and while I enjoyed it, I did not love it.
Chances are you'll pick this up because you love the comic strip. I can't imagine it's easy to transition characters from strip to novel, and the writing just did not grab me or keep me interested. I wanted more companion illustrations, and a lighter, easier prose.
This book may be a good way to get reluctant younger readers into novels, through familiar characters, but overall I don't think transitioning the Zits characters into novel format was a success.
Chances are you'll pick this up because you love the comic strip. I can't imagine it's easy to transition characters from strip to novel, and the writing just did not grab me or keep me interested. I wanted more companion illustrations, and a lighter, easier prose.
This book may be a good way to get reluctant younger readers into novels, through familiar characters, but overall I don't think transitioning the Zits characters into novel format was a success.
May 17, 2013
Really a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to sharing it with teens and adults who, I think, will all guffaw at the exaggeratedly self-centered, self-serving logic of Jeremy Duncan. His "insights" into dealing with the opposite sex, manipulating adults and achieving rock-stardom blend familiar tropes with an unusual manner of expression that's quite endearing. Altogether, reading it was like having a teenage boy back in my house--something that might be more enjoyable in memory than in actual practice...
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