How to Read Giant Days: The Ultimate Reading Order Guide
Written by John Allison and illustrated by Lissa Treiman and Max Sarin, Giant Days is a beloved slice-of-life comic series that captures the comedic, chaotic, and deeply relatable realities of university life. Set at the fictional Sheffield University in Northern England, the series follows the friendship of three young women—the dramatic goth Esther de Groot, the dry-witted and pragmatic Susan Ptolemy, and the sweet, sheltered Daisy Wooton. Over its 54-issue run, the series balances quirky humor, feminist sensibilities, and authentic coming-of-life struggles ranging from awful landlords to messy romances.
Whether you are collecting the standard trade paperbacks or picking up the deluxe hardcover editions, this guide will help you navigate the hallways of Sheffield University, parse the wider "Bobbinsverse" connections, and find the perfect starting point.
The Recommended Reading Order
Because the story of Giant Days progresses chronologically throughout the characters' three years of university, the safest and most satisfying way to read the series is in publication order. The main narrative is collected across 14 trade paperbacks (or 7 deluxe Library Edition hardcovers). Here is the recommended path to experience the complete journey:
Step 1: The Pre-University Origins (Optional Prequel)
- Giant Days: Early Registration (Collects stories from 2013): This collection contains John Allison's original, self-published webcomic issues (often referred to as issues #0.1, #0.2, and #0.3). These stories serve as a prototype for the series, showing the girls first meeting during their freshman orientation. While not strictly necessary to understand the main plot, they provide delightful background context.
Step 2: Year One (The Main Run Begins)
- Giant Days, Vol. 1 (Collects issues #1–4)
- Giant Days, Vol. 2 (Collects issues #5–8)
- Giant Days, Vol. 3 (Collects issues #9–12)
- Giant Days, Vol. 4 (Collects issues #13–16)
Step 3: Year Two (Diving Deeper into Drama)
- Giant Days, Vol. 5 (Collects issues #17–20)
- Giant Days, Vol. 6 (Collects issues #21–24)
- Giant Days, Vol. 7 (Collects issues #25–28)
- Giant Days, Vol. 8 (Collects issues #29–32)
- Note: The 2016 Holiday Special is chronologically set and published around the events of Volume 8.
Step 4: Year Three & Graduation (The Final Stretch)
- Giant Days, Vol. 9 (Collects issues #33–36)
- Giant Days, Vol. 10 (Collects issues #37–40)
- Giant Days, Vol. 11 (Collects issues #41–44)
- Giant Days, Vol. 12 (Collects issues #45–48)
- Giant Days, Vol. 13 (Collects issues #49–52)
- Giant Days, Vol. 14 (Collects issues #53–54 and the final special As Time Goes By)
Step 5: The Grand Finale
- Giant Days: As Time Goes By (Published in 2019): This double-length final issue is the ultimate epilogue to the series. Set one year after graduation, it reunites Esther, Susan, and Daisy in Sheffield for a bittersweet look at their post-university lives. It is included at the end of Trade Paperback Volume 14.
Understanding the Deluxe Collections: Hardcovers vs. Paperbacks
If you are looking to purchase physical copies of the series, BOOM! Studios released two main deluxe formats that can confuse new buyers: the "Not on the Test" Editions and the Library Editions.
The Standard Trade Paperbacks (Vols. 1–14)
This is the standard, most widely accessible paperback format. It spans 14 volumes. It is the easiest way to read the series casually, and each volume collects roughly four issues, with the exception of the final volume which includes the oversized graduation special.
The Deluxe Library Editions (Vols. 1–7)
This is the definitive, oversized hardcover format. The entire 54-issue run, along with the holiday specials and original webcomics, is organized into 7 comprehensive volumes. If you want a complete, matching hardcover set on your shelf, this is the version to look for.
The "Not on the Test" Editions (Vols. 1–3)
These were the original clothbound hardcovers released by BOOM! Studios. Initially, only three volumes were published, covering issues #1 to #24. While a subsequent Kickstarter campaign allowed collectors to get matching volumes for the rest of the series, the Library Editions are much easier to find on the general retail market today.
The Bobbinsverse: Connections, Spin-offs, and Co-authored Books
One of the most rewarding aspects of Giant Days is its place in John Allison's larger shared universe, commonly known as the "Bobbinsverse" (or the "Tackleverse"). Most of Allison's works are set in the fictional town of Tackleford and share characters who grow up across different series. While Giant Days is self-contained and requires absolutely no homework, knowing the connections adds a layer of fun:
The Prequel Webcomics
Esther de Groot was not created for Giant Days. She first appeared as a prominent goth teen character in Allison's webcomic Scary Go Round (which ran from 2002 to 2009) and later appeared in Bobbins. Reading these older webcomics reveals Esther's high school drama and eccentric background long before she packed her bags for Sheffield University.
The Charlotte Grote Connection
Another major Bobbinsverse crossover involves Charlotte "Lottie" Grote, a fast-talking, hyperactive teen detective from Allison's acclaimed series Bad Machinery. Lottie makes guest appearances in Giant Days (such as in the 2016 Holiday Special). Her own spin-off series, Wicked Things (2020), is written by Allison and illustrated by Max Sarin, picking up when Lottie is 19 years old and framed for murder. It is highly recommended for fans who miss the comedic energy of Giant Days.
The Giant Days Prose Novel
In 2018, YA author Non Pratt co-created a prose novel titled Giant Days. This original story is set during the girls' first year of university and features Daisy getting sucked into a bizarre yogic cult. It reads like a extended, hilarious prose episode of the comic and does a marvelous job capturing the distinct voices of Susan, Esther, and Daisy. You can read it at any point after finishing Volume 1 of the comics.
Practical Reader Advice
When starting your journey, keep these quick tips in mind:
- Can you read books standalone? No, not easily. Unlike episodic comics, Giant Days has a tight chronological continuity. Relationships change, characters grow, and jokes build upon previous events. Always start with Volume 1.
- Where does "Extra Credit" fit in? Giant Days: Extra Credit is a paperback collection that compiles the 2016 and 2017 Holiday Specials along with short stories from the BOOM! Box Mix Tape anthologies. If you are reading the standard trade paperbacks, picking up Extra Credit after Volume 8 or 9 will keep the timeline neat. If you are reading the Library Editions, these stories are already integrated chronologically!
- Chronological vs. Publication Order: There is very little debate here. Always read the main volumes 1 through 14 in order. Reading Early Registration first is fun for seeing the characters' early concepts, but starting with the polished Volume 1 is generally recommended for the best introduction to the trio's chemistry.