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Sports Is Hell
Some wars are for religion and some are for political belief, but this one is for football.
After her city wins the Super Bowl for the first time, Tea is separated from her friend during a riot and joins a small clique fighting its way through armed groups of football fanatics to met a star receiver that just might end the civil war or become the city's new oppressive leader.
After her city wins the Super Bowl for the first time, Tea is separated from her friend during a riot and joins a small clique fighting its way through armed groups of football fanatics to met a star receiver that just might end the civil war or become the city's new oppressive leader.
60 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2020
2 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Ben Passmore
20 books159 followersBen lives in Philly. His comics are about crime, monsters, anarchism, sexual dysfunction, police brutality, art theory, and his feels. Author of DAYGLOAYHOLE, Goodbye, and Your Black Friend.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
February 21, 2020
A couple of years I read Ben Passmore's 11-page comic, Your Black Friend, and thought it was funny and insightful about some aspects of racial relations in the present moment. Part of that moment of course also includes quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee instead of standing for the National Anthem to draw attention to issues of police brutality in this country. Sports Is Hell is a bit longer, featuring a Kaepernick-type football player in a game leads to riots over racial issues. Rioters become players.
The tone is satire, Boondocks territory, often silly, with people on all sides getting pilloried, not a political tract. The point is to raise issues about black athletes getting rich in a racist enterprise. I thought it was chaotic, not always entirely clear to me what was going on, but fun. Zany, mad-cap, would be the words I would use. I welcome his contributions to political cartooning. Heaven knows we need more laughs as we explore difficult subjects like racism and capitalism. Go Birds!
The tone is satire, Boondocks territory, often silly, with people on all sides getting pilloried, not a political tract. The point is to raise issues about black athletes getting rich in a racist enterprise. I thought it was chaotic, not always entirely clear to me what was going on, but fun. Zany, mad-cap, would be the words I would use. I welcome his contributions to political cartooning. Heaven knows we need more laughs as we explore difficult subjects like racism and capitalism. Go Birds!
February 2, 2020
I didn't get this at all. The Super Bowl starts some riots and then the rioters somehow start playing football and the football players started shooting one another. There was a lot of allusions to racial issues but the author's point didn't come across at all. I had to read the synopsis just to figure out what the book was supposed to be about.
Received a review copy from Koyama Press and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Koyama Press and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
August 2, 2023
Surreal yet timely: what we value and who we choose to lead us is examined in this raw and graphic look at aggression channeled through mob anonymity. Art is kinetic! This is a very intense GN that will disturb some readers; some may find the material overly violent - but it does make a point!
February 23, 2020
Over-the-top satire often does not work for me, but I found this one biting and amusing. Passmore imagines a Super Bowl where a Colin Kaepernick stand-in leads his team to victory, setting off a sports riot that cascades into a race riot, internecine fights between factions (MLK nonviolence, Nation of Islam, anarchists, Black Lives Matter, white allies), and outright race war.
It's a pretty effective but depressing commentary on the current state of affairs. I can't love it, but I certainly respect it.
It's a pretty effective but depressing commentary on the current state of affairs. I can't love it, but I certainly respect it.
May 15, 2020
It’s as though Ben Passmore has a direct line to my brain. Every new book he releases is more and more an accurate expression of my psyche. Not just what I think, but how.
Sports Is Hell blends John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 with Stephen Soderbergh’s High Flying Bird. It condenses and allegorizes the incredible political volatility of sports, while also drawing from sports’ equally unpredictable political outcomes.
In Sports Is Hell a fictionalized (American) football game between a team with someone like Colin Kaepernick as its quarterback and a team that is the “Great White Hope” leads to a deadly riot that unleashes an unnamed city’s racial antagonism. What follows is a no-holds-barred political allegory of the present. It’s corny. It’s sloppy. And it’s totally beautiful.
With this book releasing at the beginning of 2020, I have a hard time imagining that I will see many books this year more enjoyable, smarter, or more insightful than Passmore’s Sports Is Hell. Also I’m super bummed that this is among the last batch of Annie Koyama’s legendary comics press...
Sports Is Hell blends John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 with Stephen Soderbergh’s High Flying Bird. It condenses and allegorizes the incredible political volatility of sports, while also drawing from sports’ equally unpredictable political outcomes.
In Sports Is Hell a fictionalized (American) football game between a team with someone like Colin Kaepernick as its quarterback and a team that is the “Great White Hope” leads to a deadly riot that unleashes an unnamed city’s racial antagonism. What follows is a no-holds-barred political allegory of the present. It’s corny. It’s sloppy. And it’s totally beautiful.
With this book releasing at the beginning of 2020, I have a hard time imagining that I will see many books this year more enjoyable, smarter, or more insightful than Passmore’s Sports Is Hell. Also I’m super bummed that this is among the last batch of Annie Koyama’s legendary comics press...
February 29, 2020
This was quite possibly the most bizarre satire/commentary of capitalism, racial tension, obsession with football, and violence that I have ever read and I loved every freaking moment of it.
December 13, 2023
1.5/5
I see what this was trying to do but ultimately I feel as if it was not executed at all. the narrative and themes would have benefited from a bit more backstory and character development. the social commentary was good but kind of just got lost along the way.
I see what this was trying to do but ultimately I feel as if it was not executed at all. the narrative and themes would have benefited from a bit more backstory and character development. the social commentary was good but kind of just got lost along the way.
February 21, 2020
What the fickity fuck? Super fun art. Super random storyline. It's like a bunch of stereotypes of different people's movements all engage in an all-out brawl. There are layers of criticism and critique on the current state of American society, but it is kind of a jumbled mess with no clear message (though clear messages appear sporadically, just no central message stands out). But it is funny in a weird, absurd, nonsensical kind of way. It takes like 20 minutes or so to move through, but it would probably take hours to try to make sense of it. Even the ending lampshades the fact that it doesn't make complete sense. So take from it what you will.
I give it a 4/5 because, why the hell not. Sports is hell.
I give it a 4/5 because, why the hell not. Sports is hell.
November 2, 2023
I think I'm not quite smart enough to catch all the intricacies of the allegory here, but the overall idea is clear enough and the art is kinetic and lively and exciting and the use of the extremely limited palette was great.
May 13, 2020
The perfect pandemic book. Passmore is a fantastic satirist, sending up all of the conflicting voices in our culture. Everyone winds up looking stupid, as a football win sends the city into chaos. Racism, anti-semitism and sexism come into play as various factions engage the night’s sporting event. And isn’t that really the point? We are all stupid for falling for white, capitalistic visions of success; everything is broken.
February 11, 2020
Religion, race, riots, and the Birds.
December 1, 2025
Este quadrinho foi adquirido na promoção de breque fraidei da Veneta e chegou rapidinho que é um pé no leque. Mas um quadrinho que eu pensei que seria uma crítica ao esporte, na verdade, é uma crítica à branquitude e à presença dos negros usados no e como esporte pelos brancos. Mas lá pelas tantas, eu fiquei pensando: será que esse é mais um daqueles quadrinhos para sentir, e não para entender? Continuei lendo e, pelas críticas sociais, não, era um quadrinho para entender. Só que eu estava me sentindo a Magda do Sai de Baixo "num to intendendo". Pensei: ah, é uma ficção científica. O autor está querendo fazer uma metáfora sobre a brutalidade dos esportes com a brutalidade do racismo. Mas também não me pareceu isso. No final do quadrinho, o autor traz uma mensagem de que não era mesmo pra entender: era pra se questionar. O final mesmo fica em aberto. Infelizmente, essa história em quadrinhos não era pra mim.
January 3, 2022
As a local, I thought I’d like this more since it uses rabid Eagles fans to mimic today’s frenzied and loutish political climate; but shooting riots in Philly streets, even if fictional, makes for stressful reading for me. Production-wise, I admire Passmore’s totally original and artful effort, but tbh, I thought that the characters were tough to differentiate and the narrative was ultimately bewildering.
December 30, 2022
I largely enjoyed this, but I'm glad it was short. I appreciated the over the top satire, but I'll admit to being confused in many places about what the heck was going on. This being the second graphic novel of this author I have read, I think that's generally the sense I get from him - amazing moments of insight and clarity surrounded by insanity that I'm not sure is meant to be insanity or is just going over my head.
June 5, 2025
I understand anger but eventually you have to find something beautiful in life and stick with it or else the violence will swallow you whole from blm to it’s hailed kings what do we erect our new gods upon is hate the basis for all emerging rhetoric I’d say the Black Lives Matter movement isn’t entirely flawed but I’ve seen individuals lose a lot while the few in number gain everything is it all worth it? Perhaps there was a time for change I know it still is necessary but how change occurs whether safely or by the hands of the majority of ignorant is up for debate we change through education as w.e.b dubios would say maybe it’s not fast enough but again not enough people fighting in a movement are educated
March 23, 2021
I also don't get sports.
This is a smart and chaotic satire allegorizing every side of the coin, its always been political.
Liberalism, Anarchism, and Facism exist as a separate entity from overarching race issues playing the field (haha.)
Allegiance and political structures change as rapidly as this reads. Keep up!
This is a smart and chaotic satire allegorizing every side of the coin, its always been political.
Liberalism, Anarchism, and Facism exist as a separate entity from overarching race issues playing the field (haha.)
Allegiance and political structures change as rapidly as this reads. Keep up!
August 4, 2025
I really didn't like this one. That surprised me - it's a satire about football culture and social justice, it seemed right up my alley. But I just don't think this was a particularly well told story. It was pretty incoherent, to be honest.
August 7, 2025
3.5 overall. Resonated with me politically, but felt that by making lighthearted, it was neither dark enough to be funny or transgressive. Solid themes, but too corny.
August 15, 2020
My poor brain was barely hanging on by the time I reached the end. Really, really bizarre plot + really sweet satire.
February 13, 2022
3.5 - I like the concept and Passmore's sensibilities even if I got lost in spots.
August 7, 2021
Ah, the award-winning graphic novel. We meet again.
Every so often a comic, excuse me, graphic novel comes along that people seem to really love. I like to call these "NPR graphic novels." Onion AV Club likes them, too. These are comics that nerdy adults who don't normally read comics feel okay reading because someone told them it was okay. In fact, it's timely, so double-plus-good! That book Here? You remember that shit?
You know how if you could hook up a machine to record your dreams and watch them later, they'd probably make no sense? There are no transitions in dreams, no progression, no linear narrative? That's what this feels like. It's a record of a dream without much to help the reader see something specific.
I think...There's an element at play of people not wanting to admit that they read this and didn't know what the fuck was going on. To admit that is to admit that you're too stupid for a comic.
But, aha! I've got the upper hand now because I have ZERO fear of admitting I'm stupid.
So I guess I'm too stupid for this book.
Every so often a comic, excuse me, graphic novel comes along that people seem to really love. I like to call these "NPR graphic novels." Onion AV Club likes them, too. These are comics that nerdy adults who don't normally read comics feel okay reading because someone told them it was okay. In fact, it's timely, so double-plus-good! That book Here? You remember that shit?
You know how if you could hook up a machine to record your dreams and watch them later, they'd probably make no sense? There are no transitions in dreams, no progression, no linear narrative? That's what this feels like. It's a record of a dream without much to help the reader see something specific.
I think...There's an element at play of people not wanting to admit that they read this and didn't know what the fuck was going on. To admit that is to admit that you're too stupid for a comic.
But, aha! I've got the upper hand now because I have ZERO fear of admitting I'm stupid.
So I guess I'm too stupid for this book.
March 3, 2020
I did not get this at all. The actual book has no summary on it, so I went in totally blind, expecting some kind of satire of our worship of athletes. Instead, I got a jumbled mess about race (maybe?).
The Super Bowl leads to riots, which leads to different armed factions fighting for control of the city, which leads to a faction recreating the same Super Bowl in the field, but with more murder.
There's clearly some kind of racial political aspect to it - the main characters are black, talking about protests and anarchy, and the white couple is clearly ridiculous. But nothing makes sense or, really, even goes anywhere.
I did like the monochromatic orange palette, and the weird announcers.
The Super Bowl leads to riots, which leads to different armed factions fighting for control of the city, which leads to a faction recreating the same Super Bowl in the field, but with more murder.
There's clearly some kind of racial political aspect to it - the main characters are black, talking about protests and anarchy, and the white couple is clearly ridiculous. But nothing makes sense or, really, even goes anywhere.
I did like the monochromatic orange palette, and the weird announcers.
May 4, 2020
Sports Is Hell is a fast-paced ride of a graphic novel where the outcome of the Super Bowl tips a city into dystopian chaos in a single night. Passmore's art is expressive and the script tight and funny. Definitely worth a read
March 3, 2024
This was so chaotic but after the last few months it really feels a little prophetic.
I started this back in December and forgot to finish it till now, it somehow makes more sense with each passing day.
I started this back in December and forgot to finish it till now, it somehow makes more sense with each passing day.
January 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this absurdist political fable. It blends several fringes of the political landscape and fanatical sports culture into an imaginative, comically lawless free-for-all. Passmore offers plenty of genuine cultural critiques, but delivers them with a playfulness that avoids the self-righteous sourness or doomer nihilism that could easily slip in. It’s also (vitally) brief enough to stay punchy and energetic without dragging on.
“We seen the potential for human greatness tonight! Why would we reach such great heights only to fall into anarchy?”
“I LIKE anarchy tho!”
“I’m an uncontrollable force of insurrection, a war machine! Nobody in charge of my ass!”
“You said it Jim! Sports celebration turned to riot, turned to the formation of hundreds of armed factions across the city all looking for city-wide dominance.”
“On the Red Flag team Sniper Conrad Comrade has taken out eight All Sports, No Masters fighters. But I wouldn’t call a winner quite yet Jim…”
“I have to agree Jim, Red Flag’s centralized authoritarian organizing structure has allowed them to move decisively early in the night. BUT the nihilists’ dislike for hierarchical leadership make the group nearly impossible to destabilize.”
“We seen the potential for human greatness tonight! Why would we reach such great heights only to fall into anarchy?”
“I LIKE anarchy tho!”
“I’m an uncontrollable force of insurrection, a war machine! Nobody in charge of my ass!”
“You said it Jim! Sports celebration turned to riot, turned to the formation of hundreds of armed factions across the city all looking for city-wide dominance.”
“On the Red Flag team Sniper Conrad Comrade has taken out eight All Sports, No Masters fighters. But I wouldn’t call a winner quite yet Jim…”
“I have to agree Jim, Red Flag’s centralized authoritarian organizing structure has allowed them to move decisively early in the night. BUT the nihilists’ dislike for hierarchical leadership make the group nearly impossible to destabilize.”
March 31, 2024
É uma alegoria muito óbvia e destrambelhada dos conflitos étnicos, religiosos e sociais dos EUA.
Muito datada de um passado recente e, muito chata na minha opinião.
Talvez para alguns americanos a HQ seja mais interessante por referências a eventos recentes, mas como a história não busca ser verossímil, extrapolando todos os eventos narrados, acho que até isso se perde por completo.
Acaba sobrando apenas uma obra panfletária (mais uma) que aborda todos esses temas sem oferecer nada de novo na apresentação, personagens, etc. Sequer busca apresentar alguma possível solução ou visão de mundo melhor do autor.
Estou cansado desse tipo de história que só esfrega a merda na cara do público, e ainda faz isso sem qualquer carisma. Para isso basta assistirmos ou lermos os noticiários todos os dias.
Mais cansado ainda de ver editoras como a Veneta publicando HQs gringas cuja temática sequer se reflete na nossa realidade enquanto HQs semelhantes de autores nacionais são ignoradas mesmo com muito mais potencial de gerar identificação com o público brasileiro.
Muito datada de um passado recente e, muito chata na minha opinião.
Talvez para alguns americanos a HQ seja mais interessante por referências a eventos recentes, mas como a história não busca ser verossímil, extrapolando todos os eventos narrados, acho que até isso se perde por completo.
Acaba sobrando apenas uma obra panfletária (mais uma) que aborda todos esses temas sem oferecer nada de novo na apresentação, personagens, etc. Sequer busca apresentar alguma possível solução ou visão de mundo melhor do autor.
Estou cansado desse tipo de história que só esfrega a merda na cara do público, e ainda faz isso sem qualquer carisma. Para isso basta assistirmos ou lermos os noticiários todos os dias.
Mais cansado ainda de ver editoras como a Veneta publicando HQs gringas cuja temática sequer se reflete na nossa realidade enquanto HQs semelhantes de autores nacionais são ignoradas mesmo com muito mais potencial de gerar identificação com o público brasileiro.
August 12, 2020
this book.... amazing!!! Ben Passmore has taught me that im a clueless white liberal and should have been radicalized along time ago. This book and "Your Black Friend.. And Other Strangers" have made me an anarchist (or at least attempting to be one). This book was published in Feb. 2020, which is so wild as it was published in that strange sweet post-pandemic freedom. It was also published in a pre-abolitionist uprising world. With all the crazy worldwide things that have been happening since this book was published, it's incredibly timely and strangely accurate to our current situation. I highly recommend reading this and as much Passmore as possible. It'll change you --- especially if you're a mostly clueless white person like me.
November 29, 2020
Sports is Hell - Ben Passmore continues to be one of the most exciting voices in comics today. With this he takes aim at our current social and political environment and obliterates our tribal nature and the hypocrisy that goes with it.
Inventive, chaotic, and pointed Passmore does not give anyone a pass from those who quickly align with White Natiolism to the hallow support the comes from modern liberalism. This isn't a 'both sides' argument more so pointing out the fundamentals being ignored.
The anger is palpable and the fuel of this fire. Reading this was a cathartic experience I could only imagine what the process of making it was like
Inventive, chaotic, and pointed Passmore does not give anyone a pass from those who quickly align with White Natiolism to the hallow support the comes from modern liberalism. This isn't a 'both sides' argument more so pointing out the fundamentals being ignored.
The anger is palpable and the fuel of this fire. Reading this was a cathartic experience I could only imagine what the process of making it was like
January 29, 2021
A wildly drawn, speculative ‘satire’ on the relationship between sports, race, fandom and protest. Passmore - the artist behind BTTMFDRS - throws a cast of protestors into a ‘sports riot’ amidst a blackout, using the moments of light inside the darkness (visually and metaphorically) to draw damning (and hilarious) connections between our love of sports and systemic racism. It’s a short, powerful read and Passmore’s mildly unhinged artwork is beautifully soaked in pitch black and shades of brown.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews