BUZZ!

by Ananth Hirsh, Tess Stone (cover_art)

Webster's first day of high school goes off the rails when he ends up at a back-alley rumble . . . FOR UNDERGROUND SPELLING! (What??) He's dubbed the Golden Kid, and from that moment on he's drawn into the world of underground spelling bees, where letters fly like shurikens and defeat is never an option. His talent is recognized by the mysterious and dashing Outlaw King, Khan, and the suave and plucky Black Queen, Bonnie, and they introduce to him the new challenge of no-holds-barred competitive spelling. First released in 2013 by writer Ananth Hirsh (Lucky Penny) and artist Tess Stone (Not Drunk Enough), this new color edition comes with new cover art, freshly colored interiors (new colors by Fen Garza), and bonus material from the creators. Read and reread the frenetic tale of spelling bee battles, friendship, and the discovery of self-worth! As the Outlaw King says, “Word is bond.”

Genres: Young Adult

Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2025

Reviews

[Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I'd see the day where I'd read the words "underground spelling bee" but here we are, and I'm glad that I did.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Oni Press for the review copy of #Buzz. All opinions are my own.

There's something so fun about a graphic novel that doesn't take itself too seriously but also goes all-in for a wild concept. Buzz! builds a world of grammar-police, spelling obsessed populace, and phonics foes through bright yellow hues and whitty comebacks. This was a fun read that reminded me a lot of Scott Pilgrim Vs The World's silly premise.

The characters are unique and perhaps overly original for a story about letter duels. But that's what makes the story enjoyable, and frankly pretty camp.

If you want a quick read where the artists really play around with how many ways they could spell out words through visual means, this is the book for you. A lot of creative liberties were taken but it's fun all the same. Honestly, I wouldn't be upset if a volume 2 of this ever found it's way to my inbox.

[Maki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e copy!

This is the most silly goofy graphic novel ever, i honestly don’t know what i just read.

We follow Webster who is about to high school but on the way to school he gets dragged into an illegal underground sleeping bee. Why is it illegal? No clue!
When they spell the words, the letters become weapons? Or at least they get thrown around, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON BUT IM HERE FOR IT. There is also a group of people called spelluminati which we delve deeper into, quite fun actually but again i don’t know what’s really happening.
The humor and wordplay was endearing, i really like the yellow, purple and blue color scheme!
I would have enjoyed this book more if we got a little more backstory to both the world and characters, it would really have benefited from being 100pages longer in my opinion.


Apologies for the lack of substance in this review but i am just so confused about everything.
I do recommend giving this a read if the concept of illegal underground spelling bee sounds interesting to you!
Ps, why was the sister serving so hard even from page 1🤭

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story about a young man who stumbles upon a world of cut throat competitive spelling bees. The stakes are very high with cartels, cheating and people who simply disappear. Webster is pulled into this clandestine world and suddenly finds that spelling can be a high risk activity.

It is good fun to read with jazzy artwork that suits the story. Spelling bees will never be the same. Great book to read.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find me a better novel about underground spelling bees, I dare you.

Wonderful art makes the language of this book literally fluid. It's a fun, kind of audacious book that has no right to be as successful as it was.

I've read other Hirsh books, and until read this the only one that I'd really liked was Lucky Penny (which I like a lot). Glad to put this book in the win category.

Really fun.

[Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

the dynamic duo does not miss
Tess Stone you're a freaking virtuoso and this is a perfect concept to show off his lettering
so glad this got printed again, and now I own it <3

[Jessica Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very silly, very fun.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was messy

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A P-E-R-F-E-C-T book for word lovers looking for the buzz of a spelling bee adventure as their next read.