Mini Review: Scott Pilgrim #1-3 by Bryan Lee O’Malley

Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Illustrator: Nathan Fairbairn
Series: Scott Pilgrim #1
Publisher: Oni Press
Published: 2004
Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Gaming
Pages: 179
Format: Graphic Novel, Hardback
Source: Borrowed from the library
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Scott Pilgrim's life is totally sweet. He's 23 years old, he's in a rockband, he's "between jobs" and he's dating a cute high school girl. Nothing could possibly go wrong, unless a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. Will Scott's awesome life get turned upside-down? Will he have to face Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends in battle? The short answer is yes. The long answer is Scott Pilgrim, Volume 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life. (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)

Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Illustrator: Nathan Fairbairn
Series: Scott Pilgrim #2
Publisher: Oni Press
Published: 2005
Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Gaming
Pages: 205
Format: Graphic Novel, Hardback
Source: Borrowed from the library
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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! (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)

Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Series: Scott Pilgrim #3
Publisher: Oni Press
Published: 2006
Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Gaming
Pages: 228
Format: Graphic Novel, Hardback
Source: Borrowed from the library
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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!" (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)
FTC Disclaimer: I borrowed copies of these books from my local library. I was in no way compensated for these reviews.
Warning: This review covers volumes 1-3 of the Scott Pilgrim series, so there may be some spoilers contained within this review.
I didn’t write down too many notes for each of these books, so I decided to just do a mini review of all of the first three volumes. And as with all my mini reviews, I’ll just share some of my notes:
- I watched (and LOVED) the movie adaptation first.
- I love how they got so many of the details so perfect in the movie! For example, Scott and Wallace’s apartment is EXACTLY like it is in the graphic novels!
- It’s very cool how, when Scott’s band (and other bands, I think) play songs, it shows the notes and lyrics on the page.
- Bryan Lee O’Malley gets 15,000 of my Bonus Points for a Ramona Quimby reference; 15,000 Bonus Points for an X-Men reference; 25,000 Bonus Points for a reference to Herself the Elf; 25,000 points for a Sonic the Hedgehog reference; and 25,000 points for a Mario Bros. reference.
- Great humor, especially from Wallace.
- Some microaggressions and unfortunate word choices.
- There are some great comedic repetitions of certain situations.
- As I got into the third volume, I noticed a lot of parts that were left out of the movie. Which is unfortunate, but unavoidable, really.
- Hmmm, it seems like some of the characteristics of certain characters were moved around for the movie, and it makes me worried that one of my favorite characters in the movie might not be in the comics, which will make me sad.
Overall, I really loved these graphic novels just about as much as I love the movie adaptation. I can’t wait to read the rest!
Andrea
Sheena-kay Graham
September 21, 2016 at 7:49 amThe character issue reminds me of how disappointed I was to discover that Astrid from the Dragons animated movies (Dreamworks Animation) is a made up character for the movie and not in the books. I mean what a heart breaker! Anyway I really want to get these books but in paperback because I can’t stand reading graphic novels on my kindle. This review was really good and the point format drove the good and bad points quickly and effectively.