Jesse Lonergan
It's the end of the school year in 1998. Mark McGwire is racing Sammy Sosa to break the home run record, Bill Clinton is being questioned about a White House intern named Monica Lewinsky, Semisonic's Closing Time is on top of the charts, and Carl Carter is leading the Elizabeth Monarchs of rural Vermont to the state championship in his senior year. A full scholarship to the University of Maine is waiting for him, and everyone says he has a shot at the pros. He’s so good he can do whatever he wants.
Until he makes one very arrogant mistake.
Nominated for the Firecracker Awards
A YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Assoc.)
Great Graphic Novel for Teens 2015
Recommended by Unshelved.
"Recommended!"
-Library Media Connection
"The art is fantastic and the story a thing of beauty."
-The Outhousers
"This is a wonderfully well-rounded, character-driven story about fairness and self-interest. Lonergan’s black inking and colorless illustrations seem simple but are packed with raw emotion that’s evident in every face and expression. This is an amazing book that both teens and adults will love—definitely a home run."
-Booklist
"Solid stuff."
– Comics Wating Room
"It’s a simple story. Many of us have seen or heard similar tales, about golden boys who get whatever they want as long as they’re winning. The appeal for me was Jesse Lonergan’s spare, angular linework, which beautifully captures the motion of the game and the louche arrogance of Carl. It’s an authentic tale of life in a small community, particularly in the wordless sequences of ball practice or late-night party. It’s a pleasure to get lost in the art."
-Joanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading
"One of 12 great baseball comics. An authentic look and feel with spare, yet effective contours and relatable characters and problems."
-Publishers Weekly
"a great deal of fun. Lonergan is a sensational character designer and cartoonist. " - Robot 6- Comic Book Resources
See Lonergan’s interview on CBR
See the review and interview by Andrew Capt. Comics Smith of the McClatchy-Tribune News Service
6x9, 176pp., B&W trade paperback $13.99,
ISBN 9781561638352
Buy the e-book: $9.99