Ngozi Ukazu
Ngozi Ukazu is an American cartoonist and graphic novelist. In 2013, she created the webcomic Check, Please!, which later became a New York Times-bestselling graphic novel.
Ngozi Ukazu | |
---|---|
Ukazu at the 2018 Texas Teen Book Festival | |
Nationality | American |
Area(s) | Cartoonist, Writer |
Notable works | Check, Please! |
Awards | "Digital Book of the Year" Harvey Award (2019) "Outstanding Comic" Ignatz Award (2019) |
http://www.ngoziu.com |
Early life and education
Ukazu grew up in Houston, Texas.[1][2] She attended Bellaire High School, where she contributed to the school’s newspaper, The Three Penny Press, as the comics editor.[2] She is the daughter of Nigerian parents.[2] She studied computer science, obtaining a degree in Computing and The Arts from Yale University in 2013 and a masters degree in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2015.[3]
Career
Ukazu launched Check, Please! as a webcomic in 2013 after writing a screenplay about Eric "Bitty" Bittle, a gay college freshman and champion figure skater who joins a hockey team.[4][5]
Ukazu created a Kickstarter campaign in 2015 to print the first volume of the comic; the campaign resulted in the highest-funded comics project in Kickstarter's history.[6] In 2018, the first installment, Check, Please!: #Hockey, was published by First Second Books.[1] The sequel, Check, Please!: Sticks & Scones, was a New York Times bestseller in May 2020.[7]
Publications
- 2018: Check, Please!: #Hockey
- 2020: Check, Please!: Sticks & Scones
Awards and honors
- 2019 Ignatz Award - Winner, Outstanding Comic[8]
- 2019 Harvey Award - Winner, Digital Book of the Year[9]
- 2019 YALSA - Finalist | William C. Morris Award[10]
- 2018 The Boston Globe - Best YA of 2018[11]
- 2018 Kirkus Reviews - Best Young Adult Books of 2018 That Explore Family and Self[12]
- 2018 New York Public Library’s Best Books - Top Ten Books For Teens[13]
- 2018 Best of Austin - Arts & Entertainment Critics Pick[14]
- 2018 Harvey Awards - Nominee, Digital Book of the Year[15]
- 2017 National Cartoonists Society - Winner, Best Online Comic: Long Form[16]
- 2017 NPR - 100 Favorite Comics And Graphic Novels[17]
References
- Brenner, Wayne Alan (2018-09-05). "Ngozi Ukazu Hip-Checks This Year's Staple! Expo". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- Hagerty, Michael (2018-11-01). "Check, Please! How a Web Comic About Hockey and Baking Went Viral". Houston Public Media. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
- "Ngozi Ukazu". Ngozi Ukazu. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
- Romano, Aja (2016-06-29). "Why queer hockey webcomic Check, Please! is stealing the internet's heart". Vox. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
- "Life, Love and Hockey (Oooh, And Pie) In 'Check, Please!'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
- "Get a first look at the conclusion to Ngozi Ukazu's 'Check, Please' books". EW.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- "Graphic Books and Manga - Best Sellers - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- Staff, Beat (2019-10-09). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "And the Winners of the 2019 HARVEY AWARDS are..." Newsarama. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "William C. Morris Award", Wikipedia, 2020-01-28, retrieved 2020-05-25
- Globe, The Boston. "Best 2018 books for children". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "Best Young Adult Books of 2018 From Kirkus Reviews – Children's Book Council". Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "The New York Public Library Unveils Its Best Books of 2018 for Kids, Teens, and Adults". The New York Public Library. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "Best Reason to Care About Hockey (Besides the Texas Stars): Ngozi Ukazu". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "The Harvey Awards Reveal Nominees for 2018 - The Harvey Awards". www.harveyawards.com. 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "71st Annual Reuben Award Winners Announced!". Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- "Let's Get Graphic: 100 Favorite Comics And Graphic Novels". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-05-25.