Something Like Summer - The Comic - Volume Three: Winter

Something Like Summer- The Comic #3

by Jay Bell, Cassy Fallon (Illustrator)

Something Like Summer reaches its dramatic conclusion in this third and final volume of collected comics! Tim is back and even more handsome than before. To make matters worse, Jace is distracted, still reeling from the loss of someone special to him. Ben will have to tread a thin line if he wants to win the love he's always yearned for. But how can he possibly choose when both men have captured his heart so completely? This final installment of gay comics includes a bonus gallery of rare and beautiful illustrations.

Genres: Romance, LGBT

180 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Jay Bell is a proud gay man and the award-winning author behind dozens of emotional and yet hopelessly optimistic stories. His best-selling book, Something Like Summer, spawned a series of heart-wrenching novels, a musically driven movie, and a lovingly drawn comic. When not crafting imaginary worlds, he occupies his free time with animals, art, action figures, and—most ardently—his husband Andreas. Jay is always dreaming up new stories about boys in love. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can get the kettle boiling by visiting www.jaybellbooks.com.

Reviews

[Rodrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so conflicted with that ending. Part of me really loved it and the other truly hated it.
I would suggest to read through all the books first (Something Like Summer, Autumn and Winter) and then read the comics.

[Jason Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ // God, do I love this series, this story, and these characters. When I read Something Like Summer this past summer (lol), I was so moved by it. I was recovering from surgery and in a very dark place mentally. The book was a little piece of happiness that completely filled my heart and gave me a much needed escape. Ben, Jace, and Tim found their way into my heart and have stayed there ever since. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that each of them had not only their own book, but their own companion graphic novel as well.

I read each novel in its respective season (which was planned!), but I read the first two graphic novels directly after finishing Something Like Summer. And I got major spoilers for Something Like Autumn, not knowing that Vol. 2 was based on that book. But there were enough differences to where it wasn't a complete write-off.

I then read Something Like Autumn (in autumn) broke me, and was easily my favorite of the three. The final page of that book will stay with me forever, and was one of the most emotional moments I have ever encountered.

Having just recently read Something Like Winter (in the winter), I was excited for this final installment of the graphic novel series. I think overall, Vol. 3 was my favorite. There were vast differences between the books and the comics, most notably the timelines not dating back to the 1990's as they did in the book. There were plot differences in the comics as well, which I did not fully love, and thus meant a 4-star rating for Vols. 1 and 2. Vol. 3, however, stood out to me the most. There was so much emotion packed into it, and we got a great deal of balance in exploring all three characters. Seeing everything come together was so rewarding, and a great way to conclude the saga of Ben, Jace and Tim.

The ending panels had me in tears, seeing the pictures of everyone -- the special moments in the books (like Ben and Jace's trip to Paris), the found family, the unconditional love ... it was absolutely beautiful. You can tell how much Jay Bell loves these characters, and because of that, he makes readers love them as well.

This series has been an absolute joy to follow -- the books, the comics, the movie -- and I am so ready to read the remaining Something Like... books. I will be starting Something Like Spring this week (in spring, because I love that I got the chance to read them in corresponding seasons!), and I am excited to continue my journey into this amazing world Jay Bell has built.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Something Like Summer, Volume Three: Winter” is a webcomic based on the original novel by Jay Bell with beautiful artwork by Cassy Fallon. It was collected into a third volume via a Kickstarter campaign I was fortunate enough to contributed to.

What do I think of it? Oof. I don’t even know. It’s definitely five stars. It left me feeling & will definitely be in my thoughts for awhile. I’m sure I’ll re-read it… & I definitely need to finally read the books it’s based on.

But I also feel a bit tricked by the ending. Like… the comic is more or less an alternate universe set closer to present (whereas the books are set in the 90s… as the book characters are older than me & the comic ones younger)… but the last four pages are a twist I found… unsatisfying but also ambivalent about & also confused.

Regardless, it’s a beautifully drawn comic. The characters are all fleshed out & everyone gets some focus, even if the main three (Ben, Tim, & Jace) are at the center. I’m definitely curious about how the books plays out & what’s just a nod & what’s actually a tweak to what happens in the books. So I’ll probably read the books, watch the movie, & read the comics then again I definitely look forward to the Jace centered book & also Ben’s book. Maybe I’ll warm more toward Tim (who’s a fine character, just not at all my favorite).

Definitely read the comic if you like queer story-telling, found family, a story told from different points of view, queer art, or romance generally. I would say (slight spoiler) it has a happy ending but there’s tears & tragedy & feels along the way. Lots of character development.

I’m glad I got this on Kickstarter. It came with a really lovely art print of the whole cast at an amusement park. I also got a “Something Like Sins” short comic that is more explicit whereas the series itself is more sensual & never completely explicit (& not egregious like some). The series isn’t erotica, just realistic & sex-positive.

Also think I’ll check out Cassy Fallon’s other comic (& any future work), though the current one seems on the horror side (I hope it’s not gory).

Art is supposed to be complicated & keep you thinking. Right. 💜🏳️‍🌈💜

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this volume of the comic. I was surprised to see how many changes were made from the original novels. A lot of the major events from the novels made it into the book, but the scenes were completely different. It still worked for the most part though. (Although Tim goes through so much in a year in the comic, when it was several years in the novels.) But then, the ending! It was so good. And all the changes made more sense. The last few pages alone were worth an extra star. I think the comic would be an enjoyable series on its own, but it's much better having read all the books!

[Moraa (vacation hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a conclusion! I loved everything about this volume from start to finish. Jay and Cassie pulled out all the stops on this one and it was absolutely worth it!

I'm incredibly grateful to have read these comics at this time in my life - something tells me it's exactly the right time and place.

THINGS I LIKED
- Queer rep 🏳️‍🌈
- Art style
- Themes (self-acceptance, friendship, LOVE, letting go)

Did I nearly get late for work because I lost track of time while reading this in bed? Maybe.
No regrets.

Read for free on Tapas and thank me (and the author) later.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to finish some series before the new year. I re-read the first two in this series again going into Winter. There’s a twist, and I didn’t mind it. Good stuff. I continue to find it difficult to rate a graphic novel when there is a book alongside it that came first, but I give credit for shaking it up and exploring new possibilities, especially given how much time has passed. Recommended.

[Hunter Lambright · Rating 2 out of 5]

With apologies to the creative team, the will-they-won’t-they petered on for so long that, ultimately, this sucked a lot of enjoyment out of the final volume for me. I appreciate having more queer comics out there, but this one wasn’t it for me.