Fantasy Sports No. 1

In Sam Bosma's debut graphic novel, a young explorer and his musclebound friend go treasure hunting in a mummy's tomb—but if they want to get rich, they're going to have to best the mummy in a game of hoops! Can they trust their bandaged adversary to play by the rules? Or will they be stuck in the tomb . . . forever? In Sam Bosma's debut graphic novel, a young explorer and his musclebound friend go treasure hunting in a mummy's tomb—but if they want to get rich, they're going to have to best the mummy in a game of hoops! Can they trust their bandaged adversary to play by the rules? Or will they be stuck in the tomb . . . forever?

30 review for Fantasy Sports No. 1

5 out of 5

Kaitlin – Jul 01, 2016

* I was sent this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review * I have to say that this one is probably not a book I would have picked up for myself had I been in a shop becuase sports, and this illustration style, aren't my favourite. However, I have to say I was impressed and pleasantly surprised by this, because the art style within was more to my taste, and the story was actually a lot of fun. I definitely think this is a series children would enjoy, and I am looking forw * I was sent this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review * I have to say that this one is probably not a book I would have picked up for myself had I been in a shop becuase sports, and this illustration style, aren't my favourite. However, I have to say I was impressed and pleasantly surprised by this, because the art style within was more to my taste, and the story was actually a lot of fun. I definitely think this is a series children would enjoy, and I am looking forward to getting to know more about the characters in book #2 and the wizarding world. 3.5*s
4 out of 5

Emily – Apr 16, 2016

"Hang on tho-- I gotta dance on this fool." shit that i love: THIS I actually also own the original "Fantasy Basketball" zine that Bosma released in 2013, which I bought kind of on a spur-of-the-moment feel, loved, and proceeded to be like "fantasy basketbaaaaall............. read it.........." to anyone who would listen to me, for who knows how long afterward. One of the (random?) things I loved about the original zine was the feel of the book, so when I heard "yo it's going to be a color hard co "Hang on tho-- I gotta dance on this fool." shit that i love: THIS I actually also own the original "Fantasy Basketball" zine that Bosma released in 2013, which I bought kind of on a spur-of-the-moment feel, loved, and proceeded to be like "fantasy basketbaaaaall............. read it.........." to anyone who would listen to me, for who knows how long afterward. One of the (random?) things I loved about the original zine was the feel of the book, so when I heard "yo it's going to be a color hard cover book now too" I was like "but is it going to be as good in color????" The answer is, of course, YES. It's BETTER!!!!!! Features: a lil prequel bit (MORE STORY), and a gorgeous color palette that really elevates and provides more depth to pages that I already loved. Some things I love, a lot: -Wiz, framed in small panels (see: Wiz shooting the first basketball of the comic. Wiz raising a hand "hey" when Mug points her out. Wiz latched onto Mug's enormous arm. Wiz Wiz Wiz). -The paneling! How does Bosma panel so tightly but still have everything work?! I dunno man! -The hardcover binding!!!!! Lawddd guys. It's like the size of a children's picture book, has an endpage pattern, and the side binding features basketballs. Can it be any more perfect?! (NO.) IF YOU LIKE COMICS, buy this and absorb it into your eyeballs. (BOOK 2 WILL FEATURE VOLLEYBALL, AND WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR. i am excited)
5 out of 5

Kristin – Apr 13, 2018

Fun, but I wish there was more meat to it. 56 pages was not enough time to introduce a world, characters, and tell a full story. I'm hoping there's a collected edition coming- preferably in a more standard size. Album size was a weird choice for a Teen+ title. Fun, but I wish there was more meat to it. 56 pages was not enough time to introduce a world, characters, and tell a full story. I'm hoping there's a collected edition coming- preferably in a more standard size. Album size was a weird choice for a Teen+ title.
5 out of 5

Noa Bash – Jun 07, 2015

This was such a fun graphic novel to read since I am in the middle of a 400 page book right now. The art was amazingly adorable, and it was very easy to understand everything that was going on in the story. There wasn't really much character development, but the amount that I did get made me want to read the next volumes when they come out. I like how badass the main character, Wiz, seems. She is a tiny girl, but she is bomb at basketball and just overall a bomb person. I didn't really see the ove This was such a fun graphic novel to read since I am in the middle of a 400 page book right now. The art was amazingly adorable, and it was very easy to understand everything that was going on in the story. There wasn't really much character development, but the amount that I did get made me want to read the next volumes when they come out. I like how badass the main character, Wiz, seems. She is a tiny girl, but she is bomb at basketball and just overall a bomb person. I didn't really see the overall purpose to this story, but it was so entertaining that I don't really care. It was just a very long and intense basketball game. I am not really that big of a fan of sports. Errrrr. I'm not a fan of sports at all, I think they're stupid, but I loved reading this. I really got to see the importance of basketball in this world, and the way the story was told sucked me into the game. This was a very well done comic book, and I definitely want to see where the story is going from here.
4 out of 5

Ruthie Jones – Feb 08, 2017

What in the world! Everything about this short graphic novel is strange and odd, which means it's pretty awesome. It has somewhat of an old-fashioned appeal, which I love, and I laughed out loud a few times. The plot is simple yet clever, and the humorous tidbits strewn about make this story a much needed diversion. What in the world! Everything about this short graphic novel is strange and odd, which means it's pretty awesome. It has somewhat of an old-fashioned appeal, which I love, and I laughed out loud a few times. The plot is simple yet clever, and the humorous tidbits strewn about make this story a much needed diversion.
4 out of 5

Harris – Feb 22, 2016

Another entry from the dynamic and inventive publisher Nobrow, Sam Bosma's Fantasy Sports No. 1 is a delightful romp I'd recommend to any fan of Adventure Time or other deceptively deep fantasy-comedy series. A couple of agents from a Magic Guild, the earnest young intern Wiz and her "mentor," the musclebound oaf Mug, take on a dangerous crypt filled with skeletons and an evil mummy emperor with mad basketball skills. I had first seen Sam Bosma’s work in Andrew Smith’s Winger and his colorful, Another entry from the dynamic and inventive publisher Nobrow, Sam Bosma's Fantasy Sports No. 1 is a delightful romp I'd recommend to any fan of Adventure Time or other deceptively deep fantasy-comedy series. A couple of agents from a Magic Guild, the earnest young intern Wiz and her "mentor," the musclebound oaf Mug, take on a dangerous crypt filled with skeletons and an evil mummy emperor with mad basketball skills. I had first seen Sam Bosma’s work in Andrew Smith’s Winger and his colorful, manga-esque art really brings this fantasy-sports world to life. I think kids who aren’t even into sports will find this short comic very fun, and it may even be a good way to bring in the sports lovers, too! Fun stuff!
5 out of 5

Sebastien – Oct 07, 2016

Totally fun and goofy comic. The art style is charming and works with the overall silly theme of the story. There were some funny moments that gave me a good laugh. The story is a bit random and not super developed but so what, I enjoyed this one for the art and silliness and goofball zingers. Also: child wizards trash talking the snot out of their evil demon monster opponent in a game of basketball where the stakes are your life... what's not to like?! Very easy read, nicely laid out, fun visua Totally fun and goofy comic. The art style is charming and works with the overall silly theme of the story. There were some funny moments that gave me a good laugh. The story is a bit random and not super developed but so what, I enjoyed this one for the art and silliness and goofball zingers. Also: child wizards trash talking the snot out of their evil demon monster opponent in a game of basketball where the stakes are your life... what's not to like?! Very easy read, nicely laid out, fun visual style, good dialogue, good pacing.
4 out of 5

Jenna – Jul 01, 2015

Highly enjoyable with fun illustrations and a tongue-in-cheek plotting. While the library classifies this as YA, most likely for the bloodiness at the end, this reads more of a children's book. Having said that, the parody nature of it might be entertaining for teenagers as well. Has a fun discussion of might versus magic and teamwork, even if you can't quite get along with your teammate. Highly enjoyable with fun illustrations and a tongue-in-cheek plotting. While the library classifies this as YA, most likely for the bloodiness at the end, this reads more of a children's book. Having said that, the parody nature of it might be entertaining for teenagers as well. Has a fun discussion of might versus magic and teamwork, even if you can't quite get along with your teammate.
4 out of 5

Sonic – Aug 04, 2015

This is a fun, light-hearted romp through a tale that does actually blend Fantasy and Sports as the title implies, ... and yes, as we might expect there is not much depth here, but it was a quick and fun read.
4 out of 5

Jacob – Sep 20, 2015

Public library copy. This was a fun all ages book that did a fine job blending fantasy with my favorite sport, basketball. I've turned the book over to my 12 year old daughter in the hopes she will enjoy the story too. Public library copy. This was a fun all ages book that did a fine job blending fantasy with my favorite sport, basketball. I've turned the book over to my 12 year old daughter in the hopes she will enjoy the story too.
5 out of 5

Janice – Apr 27, 2016

3.5 stars
5 out of 5

Barbara – Sep 24, 2018

More like 3.5. Not sure why the book's summary here on Goodreads says it's about an adventurer and HIS muscle-bound sidekick, since Wiz-Kid is clearly a girl... In any case: a fast-paced, energetic, if fairly slight story. Who knew that a basketball game could be so exciting! This is shelved in the YA section at my local library but would be fine for younger readers too, I'd say. More like 3.5. Not sure why the book's summary here on Goodreads says it's about an adventurer and HIS muscle-bound sidekick, since Wiz-Kid is clearly a girl... In any case: a fast-paced, energetic, if fairly slight story. Who knew that a basketball game could be so exciting! This is shelved in the YA section at my local library but would be fine for younger readers too, I'd say.
5 out of 5

Isaac Rains – Mar 15, 2019

Great, short graphic novel. The book itself is well produced: large pages, quality paper, etc. The story is amusing and made me laugh out loud a number of times. The art strikes a good balance between detail and abstract cartooniness. It was an all around pleasure to read. Big thumbs up from me. I'll be reading the others in this series soon. Great, short graphic novel. The book itself is well produced: large pages, quality paper, etc. The story is amusing and made me laugh out loud a number of times. The art strikes a good balance between detail and abstract cartooniness. It was an all around pleasure to read. Big thumbs up from me. I'll be reading the others in this series soon.
5 out of 5

Haruko reads – Mar 20, 2019

Really cute, SO beautiful, and just as funny as you would expect a book about magical basketball games to the death to be. I do wish there had been more character development and focus on the relationship between Wiz and Mug, but this is only book 1 so I expect there's more in that department in future installments. The colors and lines in this book are to die for! Really cute, SO beautiful, and just as funny as you would expect a book about magical basketball games to the death to be. I do wish there had been more character development and focus on the relationship between Wiz and Mug, but this is only book 1 so I expect there's more in that department in future installments. The colors and lines in this book are to die for!
4 out of 5

Nicola Dowie – Jan 23, 2021

how i wish this was longer !!!! ): this was so much fun & i was starting to really love the bond between the characters and then.. it was finished. the art is amazing, i love the sports theme even tho i dislike sport irl lmao, it’s so fun. i’m so glad i read this bc it’s something i’d never really pick up for myself (it’s my boyfriends) & i’m excited to read vol. 2 !
4 out of 5

Erica – Jun 01, 2017

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I liked the main character - Wiz, a basketball-playing girl mage, and was as annoyed with her act-first-think-later muscle partner Mug as she was. It was a slim story, so accumulating more volumes will help readers get attached to the stories, people, creatures, and setting.
5 out of 5

Blue – Aug 10, 2018

A fun and fast read full of color and action. Some great basketball action scenes. The story is threadbare, though, and not much of introduction to the mages or the world, just jumps right in. Hope to learn more about Mug and Wiz in the next installment.
5 out of 5

Samax – Dec 19, 2019

I am dad of a young daughter who both like comics. We read and discuss books, and we both loved Fantasy Sports! It is just the right mix of sorcery, sports, humor, and action. Sam Bosma is an incredible cartoonist!
5 out of 5

Kelly Moore – Dec 16, 2016

I don't like the gruesome violence, but I love everything else. It's snappy and awesomely strange, and I am definitely curious to read the second one. I don't like the gruesome violence, but I love everything else. It's snappy and awesomely strange, and I am definitely curious to read the second one.
5 out of 5

Emily Ross – Jan 31, 2017

A graphic novel where magicians use basketball to defeat the villain and get the treasure? What's not to love! Can't wait for the next one! A graphic novel where magicians use basketball to defeat the villain and get the treasure? What's not to love! Can't wait for the next one!
5 out of 5

Brianna – Jul 09, 2017

Love love love everything about this. And I'm not even a sports fan! But yeah, add mummy with a sick flattop and I'm in. Love the illustration style so much! Love love love everything about this. And I'm not even a sports fan! But yeah, add mummy with a sick flattop and I'm in. Love the illustration style so much!
5 out of 5

Bookthreat – Jul 15, 2017

Read our review at https://bookthreat.com/2017/04/20/som... Read our review at https://bookthreat.com/2017/04/20/som...
5 out of 5

Ariel Caldwell – Sep 25, 2017

Surprisingly good! I randomly picked this up and really enjoyed it.
4 out of 5

Jannah – Jan 06, 2018

This may be the closest I may ever come to enjoying a book relating to sports. If Adventure Time decided to take on a sports bent, this is probably close to what it would look like.
5 out of 5

Snail – Mar 07, 2018

Great art, boring characters and dialogue. Hope they'll grow on me! I love Mug's design. Great art, boring characters and dialogue. Hope they'll grow on me! I love Mug's design.
5 out of 5

Benjamin Wilkins – Apr 29, 2018

Pure fun.
5 out of 5

Dean Simons – May 21, 2018

Loved this but found the inking a little heavy. A rollicking hoot, though.
5 out of 5

Carrie – Jun 03, 2018

Very light and fun graphic novel that will work well with reluctant readers.
4 out of 5

Helen – Dec 06, 2018

This book is so cute, I love the art style. I agree that the plot is pretty straight forward and story wise it could use a bit more substance. But also I find the world really fun.
4 out of 5

Aurora – Jan 11, 2020

The art was nice, but that was the best part of it. And it was kinda mean.