What do you think?
Rate this book
Steven Universe #1-4
Steven Universe Vol. 1
BELIEVE IN STEVEN!
Steven Universe is just your normal Beach City citizen...who is anything by normal! Join Steven as he learns not only how to save the day with the help of Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl...but as he learns what it means it be a great friend and an even better neighbor! There will be crazy adventures any time of day when you live in Beach City, between bike races and late night karaoke, this is just the beginning for Steven! Written by the international indie all-star Jeremy Sorese (A REMINDER, ADVENTURE TIME™) and illustrated by the lovable and insanely talented Coleman Engle (REGULAR SHOW™), STEVEN UNIVERSE™ is an exciting adventure that is only just beginning!
Steven Universe is just your normal Beach City citizen...who is anything by normal! Join Steven as he learns not only how to save the day with the help of Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl...but as he learns what it means it be a great friend and an even better neighbor! There will be crazy adventures any time of day when you live in Beach City, between bike races and late night karaoke, this is just the beginning for Steven! Written by the international indie all-star Jeremy Sorese (A REMINDER, ADVENTURE TIME™) and illustrated by the lovable and insanely talented Coleman Engle (REGULAR SHOW™), STEVEN UNIVERSE™ is an exciting adventure that is only just beginning!
128 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2014
205 people are currently reading
1579 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Sorese
35 books30 followersJeremy Sorese was a writer and an illustrator for the Steven Universe comic book series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
September 13, 2015
Steven Universe the TV show is fantastic. It’s my favorite animated series since Avatar: The Last Airbender. It’s got an engaging, sprawling story, interesting, fleshed out characters, catchy songs and lots of heart. It doesn’t conform to worn out gender tropes, and I love this quote from creator Rebecca Sugar on that topic:
“My goal with the show was to really tear down and play with the semiotics of gender in cartoons for children because I think that’s a really absurd idea that there would be something radically different about a show for little girls versus a show for little boys.”
Steven is also the best lead in a series since Aang – he’s just so likable!
So what do I think about the comic adaptation?
Well, it obviously doesn’t have the tunes (though I recommend fixing that by listening to some Aivi & Surasshu while reading), it lacks the space to tell truly moving stories and you’re not going to learn anything new about gem mythology.
But it’s still a fun book! The characters feel the same as they do on the show, which means Steven is sweet, Amethyst is wild, Garnett is stoic and Pearl, well:
How can you not love Pearl?
The comic has a great indie feel. Like, it feels more like a book you’d pick up in the back of a comic convention in the 80s. It’s got a charm to it and it’s nice to spend a little extra time with these characters between episodes (and hey, since Steven Universe is still grounded from TV for 1000 years he could actually view the material in this form).
kit: Twitter | Tumblr
“My goal with the show was to really tear down and play with the semiotics of gender in cartoons for children because I think that’s a really absurd idea that there would be something radically different about a show for little girls versus a show for little boys.”
Steven is also the best lead in a series since Aang – he’s just so likable!
So what do I think about the comic adaptation?
Well, it obviously doesn’t have the tunes (though I recommend fixing that by listening to some Aivi & Surasshu while reading), it lacks the space to tell truly moving stories and you’re not going to learn anything new about gem mythology.
But it’s still a fun book! The characters feel the same as they do on the show, which means Steven is sweet, Amethyst is wild, Garnett is stoic and Pearl, well:
How can you not love Pearl?
The comic has a great indie feel. Like, it feels more like a book you’d pick up in the back of a comic convention in the 80s. It’s got a charm to it and it’s nice to spend a little extra time with these characters between episodes (and hey, since Steven Universe is still grounded from TV for 1000 years he could actually view the material in this form).
kit: Twitter | Tumblr
October 23, 2016
Forever love for Steven and the Gems!
May 8, 2016
Steven Universe is one messed up show.... for kids. I'm not sure where he came from, but I have a few ideas... (cough...cough...pass...)
The art was bright, in your face and just flawless. The short stories were alright (Which in my case means Meh!)
I was looking for more of the aspects of the show and that's not what I was fed.
To younger fans, I believe this would be starstunningly amazing (Karate Chop to the groin).
The art was bright, in your face and just flawless. The short stories were alright (Which in my case means Meh!)
I was looking for more of the aspects of the show and that's not what I was fed.
To younger fans, I believe this would be starstunningly amazing (Karate Chop to the groin).
August 29, 2015
I disliked the main stories' art style and plots, but the mini stories featured were really good!
July 23, 2020
I love the Steven Universe animated show, but the stories in this comic book collection were just too frantic and juvenile for me. Coleman Engle's stylized art didn't entirely gel with how I see Steven and the Crystal Gems. None of it's really bad, but it was not what I was hoping for when seeking a Steven Universe fix.
December 7, 2023
Yeeesh, so this was definitely written during the Season 1 stuff, not that great in other words, as Season 1's filler was particularly unbearable at times.
Furthering lack of enthusiasm for this book was the lack of best Gem Peridot...cuz she doesn't exist yet in the show, so why would she be in the spinoff comic book?
Furthering lack of enthusiasm for this book was the lack of best Gem Peridot...cuz she doesn't exist yet in the show, so why would she be in the spinoff comic book?
May 25, 2017
This is a cute collection of stories that really capture the feel of the show.
September 21, 2017
Two stars because it was a quick enjoyable read. I wish there was more to the stories though. The added star is for the gorgeous art, mainly the cover art samples at the very end. Beautiful.
January 30, 2018
Each story included here is fairly simple, but they're all balanced well between action and slice of life. The volume itself is full of sweet little additions, including a collection of the covers used for the issues and one of those 'i spy' type games.
My only large criticism is that the layout and design for the speech bubbles in a few of the issues are extremely distracting. They're whimsical, but difficult to focus on and look a bit awkward as well.
Overall I thought the comics was adorable even though I haven't watched the original cartoon in years.
My only large criticism is that the layout and design for the speech bubbles in a few of the issues are extremely distracting. They're whimsical, but difficult to focus on and look a bit awkward as well.
Overall I thought the comics was adorable even though I haven't watched the original cartoon in years.
November 17, 2017
I was really disappointed in this. As a big fan of the series, I was looking forward to more adventures with the Crystal Gems, but the quality of the main stories on display here is atrocious. Some of it may be the format - I read it digitally and it looked like the pages were cut off, but even with that excuse, the stories were barely legible (and the font choice is terrible), with the flow of the page being muddled at best and outright confusing on many occasions. The stories themselves are also weak - the first issue's story about a gem that's too heavy to bubble back to the sanctuary doesn't even make sense in its initial concept, much less the execution. None of the lead stories are very good. Some of the filler stories are better, with one or two actually being worth reading. But even there the art quality is low (each issue includes a black and white story for no apparent reason, although those are probably the best stories included), and the art style only occasionally feels like the series. Steven Universe deserves a much better product than this volume provides. Only the most devoted fans should even bother with it.
December 28, 2021
Absolutely breathtaking artwork, great colors and just love the design of the characters.
Very easy breezy read! Reminds me a lot of teh early episodes of the show that i loved, Steven is just adorable
I bought this in Italian when i was studying abroad so it was also to read the characters in my head as the voices from the show but in a different language 😂
Very easy breezy read! Reminds me a lot of teh early episodes of the show that i loved, Steven is just adorable
I bought this in Italian when i was studying abroad so it was also to read the characters in my head as the voices from the show but in a different language 😂
April 6, 2022
I suppose this might be better if I knew anything about Steven Universe. It really just drops you right into the action without any explanation. I was confused the whole time. However, the artwork is adorable.
January 9, 2024
Cute little book! Steven Universe will always have a special place in my heart <3 Also love all the different art styles shown. If I didn’t care so much for my books I would have tore the pages out to make posters🤭.
May 6, 2018
Read with the girl child. She told me to give it ALL THE STARS. LOL.
July 8, 2020
Honestly, the first story really confused me, but once I got past that and understood what was going on, I had so much fun! The art and colors and stories were beautiful and I’m excited to read vol 2!
April 4, 2022
I feel like I really should have known SOMETHING about Steven Universe before I was plopped down in the middle of the first adventure in this comic. Everything was very difficult to follow, especially considering this was Volume 1. I read this as a buddy read and didn’t care for it, but I think toward the end I finally started to grasp the concept.
April 24, 2022
I don't like graphic novels.
I know nothing about Steven Universe.
Only read this for a buddy read.
Thank goodness it was short.
The story was not at all enticing, even setting aside my confusion.
I know nothing about Steven Universe.
Only read this for a buddy read.
Thank goodness it was short.
The story was not at all enticing, even setting aside my confusion.
August 2, 2020
you know after reading bee and puppycat i should be used to reading comics based on cartoons. oh! after reading a lot of adventure time comics too. it was cute! i've been watching clips from the show. i didn't exactly like the first story but i enjoyed the rest.
April 16, 2017
4 out of 5 stars.
I really love Steven Universe. It took me a while to get into the TV show simply because of the art style. It was odd to me but I watched a clip from Jail Break and that was it. Ruby and Sapphire sold the show for me.
I felt the same way kind of with the comic. I wasn't all that sure of the art style during the first comic. It was pretty difficult to ascertain what was going on. But the rest of the book was really good. Plus the Where's Wally (Where's Waldo, for the Americans) section was a really nice touch.
Honestly, this is a nice little intro into graphic novels for younger readers. It's got some cute stories, cute artwork, all centred around some of the best characters on TV right now.
I really love Steven Universe. It took me a while to get into the TV show simply because of the art style. It was odd to me but I watched a clip from Jail Break and that was it. Ruby and Sapphire sold the show for me.
I felt the same way kind of with the comic. I wasn't all that sure of the art style during the first comic. It was pretty difficult to ascertain what was going on. But the rest of the book was really good. Plus the Where's Wally (Where's Waldo, for the Americans) section was a really nice touch.
Honestly, this is a nice little intro into graphic novels for younger readers. It's got some cute stories, cute artwork, all centred around some of the best characters on TV right now.
March 26, 2016
Looking back on the animated series of Steven Universe, often what appeared to be standalone episodes early on would turn out to have revealed details about the characters and backstory that would be relevant to the over-arching plot later on. The comics compiled in this volume, however, definitely seem to be designed to be standalone, so they mostly deal with the cast of supporting characters who inhabit Beach City, who, as in the animated show, are totally strong enough to carry stories on their own. These comics are all a little too brief to be really satisfying to an adult reader, except for the one written by Rebecca Sugar. They're sweet though, and the art holds up throughout. One for younger fans and completists, but - worth a look just for some of the artwork in the cover gallery
August 6, 2015
This was such a cute book! The stories were filler, nothing important happened in them, but it was a great slice-of-life type deal, a look into the daily affairs of the residents of Beach City. I love the show and during a hiatus like we're going through now, this was just what I needed. Missing Steven and the Crystal Gems? Need more Connie in your life? How about Sadie and Lars getting lost walking home because Lars is too stubborn to admit he doesn't know where he's going, and Sadie can't stand to let him go on his own? Yeah, you need this book too.
January 18, 2017
Steven Universe es una serie con distintas lecturas, que gusta de niños a adultos. Bien, aquí no busquéis nada de lo que gusta a los segundos: este es un cómic destinado al público infantil. No esperéis desarrollo de los personajes, dobles lecturas o conflictos, sino una sucesión de historias cortas alrededor de un gag que podrá tener más o menos gracias (generalmente menos).
Le iba a poner sólo una estrella, pero es que a mi hija pequeña le ha encantado.
Le iba a poner sólo una estrella, pero es que a mi hija pequeña le ha encantado.
August 1, 2018
Hat mir leider nichts gegeben.
Die Bildebene ist knallig, bunt und teilweise völlig unübersichtlich. Allerdings mutet mir der Strich dabei recht lieblos an, die Figuren sind sehr cartoonhaft und reduziert gezeichnet, das mag ich eher selten. Die kleinen Comics sind ganz nett, mehr aber auch nicht.
War mir zu wenig Geschichte und zu viel Bild.
Einziger beherzter Schmunzler: Steve beim Anblick der Discokugel in Aktion.
Die Bildebene ist knallig, bunt und teilweise völlig unübersichtlich. Allerdings mutet mir der Strich dabei recht lieblos an, die Figuren sind sehr cartoonhaft und reduziert gezeichnet, das mag ich eher selten. Die kleinen Comics sind ganz nett, mehr aber auch nicht.
War mir zu wenig Geschichte und zu viel Bild.
Einziger beherzter Schmunzler: Steve beim Anblick der Discokugel in Aktion.
April 19, 2016
Fitting in more the the tone and structure of the earlier episodes of the series, this is a very cute collection of little one-shots that are a treat to read. They're fun, easy to read through, and they were great at relieving all that excess frustration that was bubbling up inside of me from the last book I read!
March 3, 2016
i appreciate tf out of steven as a show!! and some of the art in this volume is hella gorgeous!! but the bulk of it feels messy and confusing and like a harkening back to the episodic feel of early s1, which... lbr is suuuper different than where we are now in s2.
i had rly high hopes for this one!! hopefully volume two goes through some major artistic redirection?
i had rly high hopes for this one!! hopefully volume two goes through some major artistic redirection?
May 22, 2016
Oh goodness, looking at the start date for this is just embarrassing. Uni took over my life just a tiny bit. But I'm glad I finally got round to finishing this! I love Steven Universe and all the cute little stories in this were fabulous, even if they were more vignettes than an actual plotline. But the art was so colourful and great and I enjoyed it immensely. :)
February 6, 2017
Not gonna lie, it was pretty uneven for me.
BUT it was also charming and cute, and I especially loved the black and white 3 pagers in each issue as they were great - and of course, Rebecca Sugar's short one.
I'm hoping it will improve over time as they get into their stride though, and I still recommend it for Steven fans as it'll hit the spot.
BUT it was also charming and cute, and I especially loved the black and white 3 pagers in each issue as they were great - and of course, Rebecca Sugar's short one.
I'm hoping it will improve over time as they get into their stride though, and I still recommend it for Steven fans as it'll hit the spot.
March 28, 2016
Super cute and enjoyable for fans of the show. I'm not the biggest fan of the fast and loose art style, but it has its charm. Several of the shorter stories (a page or two, tops) are really fun too. All in all, a nice bonus for those who need more Steven Universe in their lives!
May 9, 2016
The first Steven Universe thing I've ever consumed. The stories were a little bit randomer then I was expecting/hoping, but overall I can see what the hype is all about. I'll definitely be looking out for the TV show, even if I would not necessarily recommend this to other noobs.
September 26, 2016
A really cute and funny addition to the Steven Universe tv show. It was a quick enjoyable read and really captured the feel of an episode, with adorable interactions between characters and very good characterization all around. Looking forward to buying and reading the remaining volumes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews