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Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously
From former Buzzfeed illustrator Adam Ellis comes a collection of autobiographical comics that follows a year in the artist’s life.
Adam’s comics deal with weightier topics like seasonal affective disorder and struggles with self-esteem, while also touching on the silly and absurd—like his brief, but intense obsession with crystals. With a bright, positive outlook and a sense of humor, Super Chill tells a story that is both highly relatable and intensely personal.
Adam’s comics deal with weightier topics like seasonal affective disorder and struggles with self-esteem, while also touching on the silly and absurd—like his brief, but intense obsession with crystals. With a bright, positive outlook and a sense of humor, Super Chill tells a story that is both highly relatable and intensely personal.
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2018
79 people are currently reading
1382 people want to read
About the author
Adam Ellis
15 books262 followersAdam Ellis is a 25-year old artist, blogger and reluctant hipster who lives in New York. When he isn't illustrating for his site, he does freelance design for comic book publishers. He also hates tomatoes and can't do long division.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews
October 12, 2018
Adam Ellis is one of my favorite webcomic artists of all time, and Super Chill is a delightful collection of his comics that I think most anxiety-ridden millennials can relate to from start to finish. Or... maybe it's just me who also finds themselves succumbing to crystal collecting obsessions and feeling the pressing need to call my mom and ask her to schedule my appointments despite my being a grown woman?
Anyways...
This is adorable, and hilarious, and I love Adam Ellis. That is all.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 18, 2018
Armed with a vivid imagination, the author presented himself in a goofy, sometimes satirical and even far-reaching look at everyday situations. It was accompanied with masterful illustrations. Jabs at the ho hum existence of everyday life in his world came alive with highly entertaining drawings and captions.
An over-riding quizzical look was taken of the insecurities and anxieties that surface during daily living. Delivered in good taste, our strengths, weaknesses, and inner thoughts that would be better left hidden were daringly exploited. It was well done.
I offer my thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
An over-riding quizzical look was taken of the insecurities and anxieties that surface during daily living. Delivered in good taste, our strengths, weaknesses, and inner thoughts that would be better left hidden were daringly exploited. It was well done.
I offer my thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
October 5, 2018
⭐️4 stars⭐️
Short and funny read. I definitely enjoyed it.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this.
Short and funny read. I definitely enjoyed it.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this.
September 6, 2018
I received this as a free eARC from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. So thank you to both of them for this!
Adam Ellis has a pretty not-awesome reputation on Reddit for being mediocre at best. And as much as I have enjoyed some of his comics, I kind of have to agree. Some of them were amazing and really relatable (like the one titled "Dr. Feelbad") but then others were just bland and felt pointless. I was able to read this book in what felt like two seconds because his comics are also so short. I almost wish he had more comics with longer stories. I do appreciate that he approaches depression and anxiety with an honest perspective. I always felt as if being honest about one's own mental illness and being able to throw some humor in it was a good thing. But overall, this was almost too short and a good chunk of these comments were just so yawn-worthy. I will still read what Adam Ellis puts out here and there though because I know he is just a comic artist who is working his hardest through a mental health struggle that a lot of us go through as well. Maybe over time his comics will develop some higher maturity and depth that I hope to see.
Adam Ellis has a pretty not-awesome reputation on Reddit for being mediocre at best. And as much as I have enjoyed some of his comics, I kind of have to agree. Some of them were amazing and really relatable (like the one titled "Dr. Feelbad") but then others were just bland and felt pointless. I was able to read this book in what felt like two seconds because his comics are also so short. I almost wish he had more comics with longer stories. I do appreciate that he approaches depression and anxiety with an honest perspective. I always felt as if being honest about one's own mental illness and being able to throw some humor in it was a good thing. But overall, this was almost too short and a good chunk of these comments were just so yawn-worthy. I will still read what Adam Ellis puts out here and there though because I know he is just a comic artist who is working his hardest through a mental health struggle that a lot of us go through as well. Maybe over time his comics will develop some higher maturity and depth that I hope to see.
June 6, 2021
I liked it. Wish it was more like a graphic memoir than a mix of smaller parts of the author’s life.
April 15, 2022
A quick read. It took me a while to warm up to the humor of these cartoons, but a couple body horror strips finally won me over. There were several other good chuckles to be found amongst his strips about being a young urban professional and his trips to Japan and his mother's house in Montana.
I'd certainly check out another book of his cartoons, but I'm going to pass on the text-heavy stuff of his I see at my library for now.
I'd certainly check out another book of his cartoons, but I'm going to pass on the text-heavy stuff of his I see at my library for now.
September 1, 2018
Adam Ellis is a creator of comics and previously was an illustrator at Buzzfeed. Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously is his second book of comics and it chronicles a year in his life of his life. It is a quick read with nice artwork that will most surely put a smile on your face.
I hadn’t heard of Adam Ellis before or seen any of his webcomics but I enjoyed Super Chill. His comics are relatable and funny and there is a few quirky ones in the mix as well. The topics are wide-ranging from quitting Buzzfeed to finding a pull-off tab on your body to a trip to Japan.
In this book we learn that Adam’s food pyramid contains buttered popcorn jelly beans at the top and that memory foam pillows may taunt you unhappy events of your past. Ellis’ musings on depression are very relatable and I particularly liked the one where he chooses a new therapist. Another favorite of mine was the guide to crystals in which he explains how each one of 10 different types can help you. I think many of us could benefit from a milky quartz cluster because it keeps you from liking your ex’s facebook post at 3 AM!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
I hadn’t heard of Adam Ellis before or seen any of his webcomics but I enjoyed Super Chill. His comics are relatable and funny and there is a few quirky ones in the mix as well. The topics are wide-ranging from quitting Buzzfeed to finding a pull-off tab on your body to a trip to Japan.
In this book we learn that Adam’s food pyramid contains buttered popcorn jelly beans at the top and that memory foam pillows may taunt you unhappy events of your past. Ellis’ musings on depression are very relatable and I particularly liked the one where he chooses a new therapist. Another favorite of mine was the guide to crystals in which he explains how each one of 10 different types can help you. I think many of us could benefit from a milky quartz cluster because it keeps you from liking your ex’s facebook post at 3 AM!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 8, 2020
Wish I could give it 0.5/5.
and im only giving that because i learned adam quit his buzzfeed job. good for him.
unfunny, juvenile, "relatable and quirky", pesky art style.
just dont read it lol
and im only giving that because i learned adam quit his buzzfeed job. good for him.
unfunny, juvenile, "relatable and quirky", pesky art style.
just dont read it lol
March 11, 2020
I was a fan of his comics on Instagram but stopped following him a while ago. The first comic was hella funny.
December 23, 2019
If you’re in your 20s, like me, I’m sure you’re going to find this relatable. Adulting is quite hard sometimes because society tells us we have to have our shit together, that by the time you’re 25 or less, you already have to achieve all this:
-nice job that pays more than just the bills
-workout on a daily basis
-talk to people and don’t get exhausted
-be successful career-wise
-travel several times in the year
-engaged to a significant other
And you know what? Whoever can achieve this without stressing or getting sick really has the envy of an entire generation.
Fortunately, guys like Adam Ellis seem to understand that some of us still feel like little kids sometimes because we don’t know what we’re doing, that it’s OK to get tired or sick or just out of energy to deal with the world outside. That building up your self-steem can be a long journey before you learn how to love yourself and how to have healthy relationships.
Some panels get silly at times, but it’s still relatable to the point that I was nodding in agreement at what I was reading. Also, his art is expressive and a bit more ‘real’ compared to others, and I’m really into that. To me, he is another artist that really knows his craft and if he releases another book, I’m sure I’ll be reading it.
-nice job that pays more than just the bills
-workout on a daily basis
-talk to people and don’t get exhausted
-be successful career-wise
-travel several times in the year
-engaged to a significant other
And you know what? Whoever can achieve this without stressing or getting sick really has the envy of an entire generation.
Fortunately, guys like Adam Ellis seem to understand that some of us still feel like little kids sometimes because we don’t know what we’re doing, that it’s OK to get tired or sick or just out of energy to deal with the world outside. That building up your self-steem can be a long journey before you learn how to love yourself and how to have healthy relationships.
Some panels get silly at times, but it’s still relatable to the point that I was nodding in agreement at what I was reading. Also, his art is expressive and a bit more ‘real’ compared to others, and I’m really into that. To me, he is another artist that really knows his craft and if he releases another book, I’m sure I’ll be reading it.
September 21, 2018
I have been a huge fan of Adam Ellis for quite some time now. I love his style of humor, and often find myself looking up more of his comics online. I was so excited when I seen this collection available on NetGalley, and I knew I simply had to review it! Let's just say that it did not disappoint! I always find his comics to be relatable, yet absolutely hilarious. I can't wait to read more from him, and I will definitely be picking up a few of these books to gift to my friends.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!
March 31, 2020
A selection of comic strips of the artist as a goofy young male! Great laugh, beautiful illustrations highlights the difficulty to live or to have experience anxiety with a funny sweet way!
Some of the strips are really hilarious.
Some of the strips are really hilarious.
August 11, 2019
I like the art style, but I can't say I find any of it really funny!
October 8, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
OMG, I laughed so so much. And not just me, I also whatsapped my fiance with some of the comics and I dare to bet people have looked at him funnily given his reaction back to me. :P
I have read a few Adam Ellis comics, but only a few. So I was pretty dang excited to see a whole book of them. And boy, they are so good.
The comics are about a variety of things, from student loans (Nobody cares!), going to Japan (Gudetama and relating to that little egg dude), moms and their obsession with keeping gift paper intact, anxiety (really, don't eat that xanax bar), to cats (so many cats) and self-esteem. But there are tons more. Most are hilarious, but some made me feel a bit sad (even if I also laughed a few times, which made me unsure if I should laugh). One of my favourites, and maybe I should bring that to my dentist the next time, was the dentist comic. Yes, if you hack and saw so much in my mouth of course I will bleed! Dang it!
I just loved seeing Dami Lee in them as well. She is another artist that I follow and read comics of, and it was so fun to go: OMG, is that Dami? It must be! The pink shirt, the egg, the hair! Nice!
The art? Well, I already knew his art, but it was fabulous to see it again. I just adore how he does backgrounds (so many details).
All in all, I hope Adam Ellis will make more art/comics. I would definitely recommend this book if you want to laugh your butt off.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
OMG, I laughed so so much. And not just me, I also whatsapped my fiance with some of the comics and I dare to bet people have looked at him funnily given his reaction back to me. :P
I have read a few Adam Ellis comics, but only a few. So I was pretty dang excited to see a whole book of them. And boy, they are so good.
The comics are about a variety of things, from student loans (Nobody cares!), going to Japan (Gudetama and relating to that little egg dude), moms and their obsession with keeping gift paper intact, anxiety (really, don't eat that xanax bar), to cats (so many cats) and self-esteem. But there are tons more. Most are hilarious, but some made me feel a bit sad (even if I also laughed a few times, which made me unsure if I should laugh). One of my favourites, and maybe I should bring that to my dentist the next time, was the dentist comic. Yes, if you hack and saw so much in my mouth of course I will bleed! Dang it!
I just loved seeing Dami Lee in them as well. She is another artist that I follow and read comics of, and it was so fun to go: OMG, is that Dami? It must be! The pink shirt, the egg, the hair! Nice!
The art? Well, I already knew his art, but it was fabulous to see it again. I just adore how he does backgrounds (so many details).
All in all, I hope Adam Ellis will make more art/comics. I would definitely recommend this book if you want to laugh your butt off.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 1, 2018
Once again, this is a case of if you like a particular cartoonist that you follow online, you will like them in a dead tree collection too. So, if you have read Adam Ellis, and liked or even loved his work, you should go out and get this collection. The jokes are funny, in a peculiar way, as evidence the two I have put below.
If you have never head of Adam, and like what you see here, it is a quick read, and you might enjoy this collection.
I found these mildly amusing, and oddly funny, although I didn't always agree with the sentiment behind them.
#SuperChill #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this boosk available for an honest review.
If you have never head of Adam, and like what you see here, it is a quick read, and you might enjoy this collection.
I found these mildly amusing, and oddly funny, although I didn't always agree with the sentiment behind them.
#SuperChill #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this boosk available for an honest review.
February 2, 2019
Super Chill is a collection of former Buzzfeed employee Adam Ellis's webcomics. They feature Adam and some of his daily struggles and interactions from anxiousness about making a phone call, a fling with the "healing art" of crystals, his relationship with his cat, and more. However, the main theme is how Peak Millennial Adam is. And it's annoying. If this is how Boomers and others see Millennials, no wonder they think we're lazy, agoraphobic children. Some may find Super Chill to be a mirror text, but for those who would see Millennials as a window, it distorts what the Millennial experience is when they don't live in NYC or have a artsy-fartsy* job.
*I usually love artsy-fartsy, but this is just pretentiousness at its height. (And not, like, pretentiousness of yesteryear with high culture and posh-ness. No. More like pretentiousness with self-importance.)
*I usually love artsy-fartsy, but this is just pretentiousness at its height. (And not, like, pretentiousness of yesteryear with high culture and posh-ness. No. More like pretentiousness with self-importance.)
October 8, 2018
DISCLAIMER I received an Advance Reader Copy from Andrews McMeel Publishing via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
My thoughts: this is 100% relatable content. For example:
Adam has a really strong presence in social media, especially on Instagram, where his comics and illustrations offer daily entertainment that you can relate with and this book is not an exception.
My thoughts: this is 100% relatable content. For example:
Adam has a really strong presence in social media, especially on Instagram, where his comics and illustrations offer daily entertainment that you can relate with and this book is not an exception.
September 15, 2019
This comic style book provides humorous content on what it's like to have anxiety when dealing with regular everyday normal situations. It's relatable, funny and on point for anyone who is experiencing or has experienced anxiety. Ellis does well channeling that negative energy into something positive that everyone can enjoy.
January 4, 2019
Highly relatable and hilarious.
December 19, 2019
3.5 stars
The art is totally easy to the eyes. Some of the anecdotes are relatable but some just flew over my head. Definitely want to check out more of his works.
March 22, 2021
i’ve always been a fan of Adam’s comics so when i saw the book available on scribd i had to pick it up!! i love his art style and the specific yet relatable comics just speak to my soul <3
September 16, 2018
Thankyou to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy some of this, but overall I think I just wanted more stuff about mental health and something deeper maybe. I really liked the art, the way Ellis draws people is great. I didn't know a single thing about him going into this, I only found out he previously worked for Buzzfeed when there was a comic part way through about his thoughts on quitting Buzzfeed so yeah, I really knew nothing! I wish it had been funnier but also more seriously looking at mental health, that's probably too much to ask but that's probably what's preventing me from giving it a higher rating unfortunately.
These were my 2 favourite comics in the collection:
I did enjoy some of this, but overall I think I just wanted more stuff about mental health and something deeper maybe. I really liked the art, the way Ellis draws people is great. I didn't know a single thing about him going into this, I only found out he previously worked for Buzzfeed when there was a comic part way through about his thoughts on quitting Buzzfeed so yeah, I really knew nothing! I wish it had been funnier but also more seriously looking at mental health, that's probably too much to ask but that's probably what's preventing me from giving it a higher rating unfortunately.
These were my 2 favourite comics in the collection:
August 31, 2018
Usually graphic memoirs are either funny or have good art but not both. Luckily, Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously has both laugh-out-loud (but embarrassingly familiar) slices of life and clearly beautiful artwork.
What if your memory foam pillow starts whispering about the worst events of your life? Your DNA results come back 37% chicken nuggets? You have just discovered the 100% most efficient and effective method for clean dishes (that every 20-year-old has found before you)? Hint: it involves a large trash can and a quick visit to Amazon.
As a nerd from birth, I resemble many of the life moments captured here. Why didn’t I see the humor in them at the time? Then create a web series and eventually write a book about them? Ahhh, the familar feelings of envy and regret...
Seriously, these comics are both true and funny! Highly recommended to anyone with a funny bone and/or a life (see Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously is inspiring me to be funny—at least I hope so—okay maybe I’m overthinking this—it must also be inspiring me to live anxiously—life gives and it takes away) 5 stars!
Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy.
What if your memory foam pillow starts whispering about the worst events of your life? Your DNA results come back 37% chicken nuggets? You have just discovered the 100% most efficient and effective method for clean dishes (that every 20-year-old has found before you)? Hint: it involves a large trash can and a quick visit to Amazon.
As a nerd from birth, I resemble many of the life moments captured here. Why didn’t I see the humor in them at the time? Then create a web series and eventually write a book about them? Ahhh, the familar feelings of envy and regret...
Seriously, these comics are both true and funny! Highly recommended to anyone with a funny bone and/or a life (see Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously is inspiring me to be funny—at least I hope so—okay maybe I’m overthinking this—it must also be inspiring me to live anxiously—life gives and it takes away) 5 stars!
Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy.
September 12, 2023
4/5
This Review was first posted on It’s All Anthony. For more reviews, check out the blog here.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you think this style of comic strips before, that is due to Ellis before a former Buzzfeed illustrator where he has posted his artwork before. Ellis even has his own instagram account as well where he shares his comics as well. Like in Super Chill, Ellis’s comics are based on his that are relatable to everyone else.
With humor, Ellis has managed to make his comics relatable will tons of laughter from readers. I even found a few that were extremely related to myself and couldn’t stop laughing as well. I have seen his comics before and when I saw this up for review, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see more of it. I have always liked the style and the humor. The comics were always something that made me laugh.
If you need a little something you brighten your day after a long, boring day, this is definitely something that can cheer you up. I really suggest it if you need a few laughs.
This Review was first posted on It’s All Anthony. For more reviews, check out the blog here.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you think this style of comic strips before, that is due to Ellis before a former Buzzfeed illustrator where he has posted his artwork before. Ellis even has his own instagram account as well where he shares his comics as well. Like in Super Chill, Ellis’s comics are based on his that are relatable to everyone else.
With humor, Ellis has managed to make his comics relatable will tons of laughter from readers. I even found a few that were extremely related to myself and couldn’t stop laughing as well. I have seen his comics before and when I saw this up for review, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see more of it. I have always liked the style and the humor. The comics were always something that made me laugh.
If you need a little something you brighten your day after a long, boring day, this is definitely something that can cheer you up. I really suggest it if you need a few laughs.
January 18, 2019
This was fine. It told me what it was on the cover and I shouldn't have expected more.
However- still fell flat to me. A lot of the comics were uninspired, unoriginal and, most importantly, already published on his instagram. I follow him on social media and found that I had already read 3/4 of this book just through his feed.
I certainly believe that Adam is going through some stuff and genuinely tries to bring humor to his anxious/depressed life, but I have seen this illustrated by several other web comics and it is a tired statement. I couldn't even relate to his comics even though I know I experience similar things. Despite knowing what I was getting into, I still wanted more.
However- still fell flat to me. A lot of the comics were uninspired, unoriginal and, most importantly, already published on his instagram. I follow him on social media and found that I had already read 3/4 of this book just through his feed.
I certainly believe that Adam is going through some stuff and genuinely tries to bring humor to his anxious/depressed life, but I have seen this illustrated by several other web comics and it is a tired statement. I couldn't even relate to his comics even though I know I experience similar things. Despite knowing what I was getting into, I still wanted more.
March 29, 2019
Adam Ellis' comics have always been hit or miss with me. Hoopla had this one available and it's super short so I decided to give it a chance. I feel like an a-hole saying this, but while I appreciate Adam tacking difficult issues, like depression and anxiety, most of the comics in the book felt rather bland and even, rather pointless to me. There were only a handful that were relatable and even less that received a real chuckle, so it wasn't enough to pull this one together for me. If you're a fan of Adam's comics though you may appreciate this one more than me.
October 12, 2018
I've been a fan of Adam Ellis for awhile, and his comics always bring a smile to my face. This collection did not disappoint!! I was so lucky to receive an advance copy and I will continue to cherish Adam's work! DO follow him on Facebook etc. as his all-too-relatable content is always worth a view.
October 18, 2018
I LOVE Adam Ellis and his webcomics, and this book definitely lived up to what I expect from him. It’s funny and relatable and fast-paced, and it definitely made me laugh out loud. Some of the comics are ones I’ve seen before on his social media, but most of them were new to me. This would make a great gift!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 24, 2019
A fun collection of comics from an anxious, cat-loving, Gudetama-obsessed guy, who writes about real life in a hilarious way. There were lots of new comics I had never seen before, and some classics were included (that’s why you never pick a hangnail)! For fans of Adam Ellis’ work, or anyone who wants to laugh at how ridiculous it is to be a geeky adult in this day and age.
February 14, 2021
4/5
Super Chill is an interesting collection of short, fun, satirical, and even far-reaching looks at everyday situations comic filled with beautiful illustrations and vibrant colors. The characters were fun and the comics were relatable.
Super Chill is an interesting collection of short, fun, satirical, and even far-reaching looks at everyday situations comic filled with beautiful illustrations and vibrant colors. The characters were fun and the comics were relatable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews