'Smosh' is a series of three different skits from YouTube that have been brought to a graphic novel form. The stories are created by Michael McDermott, Yale Stewart, David Atchison, Franco Viglino, and Jerry Gaylord.

The three stories in this book are based on sketches about Super Virgin Squad, Box Man, and That Damn Neighbor. The Super Virgin Squad is about a bunch of nerds that live at home and protect their virginity because that gives them some sort of superpowers. Box Man is an origin story about a man who now has a box for a head. That Damn Neighbor is about a surreal silent neighbor that just seems to appear and disappear.

The collection got better as it went. I didn't care at all for Super Virgin Squad. The Box Man story was kind of stupid, but I didn't hate it. That Damn Neighbor was just weird and I really liked the surreal quality about it. The art isn't bad in the collection with the art for That Damn Neighbor probably also being my favorite of the three stories.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributor, and NetGAlley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This book's art is very similar to that of vintage comic books, which is possibly the only thing this book did right.

The story is uninteresting, it's, in a word, boring.

The character's aren't that great either, they're simply annoying.

Mixed results from this book, about which I knew nothing, having never heard of the comedy troupe behind it. The Super Virgin Squad was OK, although a bid of a muddle of different things, but generally worked as a riff on teenaged X-comics, and how nerds are compelled to stick together – but still fight. The weak link was the Boxman story, which didn't have much of interest. But we finished on a high with the strange neighbour the hillbilly-type gets pissed off with. He's cool, and although the whole idea was taken too far by the end, the idea of the extra-terrestrial movements of the strange chap perpetually annoying his neighbour was a fun one. Bright and easy-on-the-eye design, and a quick bit of levity, even if I didn't exactly bell-laugh.

I guess Smosh is a Youtube channel, which explains why there were 2 different completely unrelated stories in the book.

Super Virgin Squad - This story worked best. Franco Vigilino's art was terrific. This was the most coherent and funny story. Three uber nerds with "powers" help other nerds. The one thing I didn't like was the dialogue for the kid with the head gear. I couldn't figure out what he was saying half the time because of how he was written to have a lisp.

Boxman - Just complete nonsense but without any humor. A guy's torso gets turned into a box. that's fine if this was funny, but it just fell flat.

That Damned Neighbor - This would probably be funny if there was some context of what the neighbor actually is. The neighbor really just stands there while the hillbilly neighbor yells at him, then randomly pisses him off. It may have been funny if I'd seen the YouTube show.

All in all, I think you have to be a fan of the show to like this at all. There's no entry point for readers who just pick this up off the shelf.

I'm the first to admit I am not the target audience for SMOSH. However, I like super hero stories, I like comics, I like snarky humor, and I have three teenagers. I just couldn't get into SMOSH.

The Super Virgin Squad, nerdy teens who hang out in the V-cave, have some adventures. They fight the crosstown rivals. They struggle with teen angst. They bond in friendship.

I didn't like SMOSH. It's probably just me. Maybe you'll like it more than I did.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

NetGalley Review
I’ve been watching Smosh on YouTube for many years now. To be able to read some of their old ‘classic’ antics was great.
The artwork, though it wasn’t my style, did work well with the characters and the story. However, I do wish the font was in a clearer style and slightly larger.

Not the best option for my classroom but I am generally happy with the content.

In this graphic novel, I was introduced to the Super Virgin Squad. They are three teenagers that have super powers because they are virgins. Billie, Stevie and Paulie have made a bomb shelter into their secret headquarters. Their current mission is to save one of their mothers who goes on a date with a guy she met on the internet. They also defend the geeks, nerds and physically weak. After that story, you will find a short story called "That damn neighbor." Its about two guys who drink beer and admire their lawn flaming but their neighbor won't let them.

I have been made aware that SMOSH was on YouTube. I haven't watched it so my review is strictly based on the stories in this graphic novel. I enjoyed it even though it was predictable. It made me laugh and smile. If you want something fun to read, this is it!