Friday, August 6, 2010

Graphic Novel: Scott Pilgrim 1-3

Some spoilers will arrive once we get to volumes 2 and 3.

So I heard about the film "Scott Pilgrim Vs the World", and I had no clue what it was about. I had heard the name before, but hadn't realized it was a graphic novel/manga. It's manga size, though you'll find it shelved in graphic novels. Bryan Lee O'Malley, a Canadian author, is to thank for this wonderful series. I normally don't laugh audibly when reading, but this series... I was laughing every other page.

Anyway, once I heard Michael Cera was going to be staring as Scott Pilgrim I was instantly excited. I picked up the first volume, titled SCOTT PILGRIM'S PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE. In this installment, we meet a large and interesting cast. There is a lot of sarcasm and dry humor, which I love. Scott is 23, dating a high schooler named Knives Chau. But then he meets Ramona Flowers and is instantly in love. Or obsessed. Or both. But there's a catch... he has to defeat her evil ex-boyfriends. While under the guise of a normal (yet odd) group of early 20's there is the random bit of outrageous superhero-like action.


Synopsis:

Scott Pilgrim's life is so awesome. He's 23 years old, in a rock band, "between jobs," and dating a cute high school girl. Everything's fantastic until a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. But the path to Ms Flowers isn't covered in rose petals. Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends stand in the way between Scott and true happiness. Can Scott beat the bad guys and get the girl without turning his precious little life upside-down?

***

After I put volume 1 down, I immediately grabbed volume 2: SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD. He is still on the way to defeating Ramona's exes. He's defeated the first. The series continues to get funnier. And twisted. And finally... the girls get in on the action, as two battle for our man, Scott.


Synopsis:

Does Scott and Ramona's burgeoning relationship have a future? Isn't Scott still supposedly dating Knives Chau? Who is Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, and why is he in Toronto? Who are The Clash At Demonhead, and what kind of bizarre art-punky music do they play? Who's their hot girl keyboardist, and what is Scott's relation to her? Why are they Knives Chau's new favourite band? Fights! Drama! Secrets revealed! The answers to all these questions and more!

***

SCOTT PILGRIM AND THE INFINITE SADNESS chronicles Scott trying to defeat the third evil ex. Scott is adorably dorky, and he and Ramona make an interesting pair. What I love so much about this volume was the back story. Not that there hadn't been back story in previous volumes, but there seemed to be even more here.


Synopsis:

Ramona's third evil ex-boyfriend, Todd Ingram, is currently dating the former love of Scott Pilgrim's life! Envy Adams broke Scott's heart a year and a half ago. Now she and her evil art-rock band are back, and they're getting Scott's band to open a show two days from now! That's just enough time for Scott to fight Todd, keep Ramona happy, fend off demented ex-girlfriends, and practice that new setlist. Right?? Don't miss the latest chapter in the graphic novel saga The Globe and Mail calls "Canada's answer to Tank Girl!"

***

And now I can't wait to see the movie. It comes to theaters in one week, August 13, 2010. I'll review that then.

Don't forget to check out the site. It's a lot of fun. http://www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com


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