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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was told to read this as a way of easing into manga.
“Scott Pilgrim is dating a high schooler” a quote that would either discourage another sale of this comic, or will either form another super fan that completely misunderstands the series and both Scott and Ramona’s character and continue to live within a Scott Pilgrimesque life wearing rose colored glasses while looking through aspects of adult living such as relationships, career, and other mundane things that a zen slacker wouldn’t care about. Either side you're on, it is undeniable nor one can't underestimate the graphic novel’s influence within pop-culture and the current zeitgeist of young adults living through their 'dazed and confused' years of their early to mid 20s.
Keeping in touch with his earlier pieces, Bryan Lee O'Malley’s work resonates well with people in their 20s - like myself - with the monotonous absurd realm of being tossed into the real world and capriciously labeled as young adults. Scott embodies the t-shirt wearing, indie-band music snob, broke slacker who lives through a life as if he was continuously daydreaming. Devoid and stripped by any form of personal commitment, and sense of responsibility, embodied by his need to be intimately infatuated by anyone who gives them an ounce of attention, and by being in a band which he expects to be famous without actually having to pour an ounce of effort. Although being a dependent lowlife lady killer, Scott’s path to redemption is indeed one for the books. Brought about excellent and meta-comedic writing, accompanied by Lee O’Malley’s simplistic and fitting art work of the late 90s and early 2000s band aesthetic and sound (Especially Volumes 1 to 3), which later evolved into the iconic modern art style that we all know and love. Aside from the art, although being plagued by ambiguous and incoherent writing, due to the series uncertain disposition, being that it is by default an “Independent Comic”. It does however, from a writing perspective, makes great use of the spontaneity and ambiguity within the meta-like world they're situated in as evident in later volumes. Being a different cup of “tea” compared to other volumes in the series, it started and paved the way of the Shonen like narrative that becomes the main plot, and is accompanied and layered by the rich lore of side stories which revolves around relatable side characters that embodies the complexities of Scott’s turbulent life. The quirky and wholesome themes of the book are in stark contrast with themes of forgiveness, hopelessness, isolation, and even angst that Scott and other characters experience in anyway, shape, or form. Although introducing a plethora of characters all at the same time, it does not bring the story down, nor lose interest with our main protagonist's shenanigans. “Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life” perfectly encapsulates the initial volumes run and is an amalgamation of every idea that Lee O’Malley has been conjuring of and taking note with. The fast paced nature of the volume, results in it being a quick humorous, sometime romantically mushy, action packed read which leaves readers baffled and greatly puzzled of what lies ahead. While subverting and later retaining reader’s expectations and getting a kick out of the stories momentum.
The series would not be what it is today, if this book wasn't materialized in its purest and most authentic form. I’m not even sure why I’m rambling so much with this book, when taking into consideration that this book is enough to become an extension of the fiber of my being. Just go read it.
Keeping in touch with his earlier pieces, Bryan Lee O'Malley’s work resonates well with people in their 20s - like myself - with the monotonous absurd realm of being tossed into the real world and capriciously labeled as young adults. Scott embodies the t-shirt wearing, indie-band music snob, broke slacker who lives through a life as if he was continuously daydreaming. Devoid and stripped by any form of personal commitment, and sense of responsibility, embodied by his need to be intimately infatuated by anyone who gives them an ounce of attention, and by being in a band which he expects to be famous without actually having to pour an ounce of effort. Although being a dependent lowlife lady killer, Scott’s path to redemption is indeed one for the books. Brought about excellent and meta-comedic writing, accompanied by Lee O’Malley’s simplistic and fitting art work of the late 90s and early 2000s band aesthetic and sound (Especially Volumes 1 to 3), which later evolved into the iconic modern art style that we all know and love. Aside from the art, although being plagued by ambiguous and incoherent writing, due to the series uncertain disposition, being that it is by default an “Independent Comic”. It does however, from a writing perspective, makes great use of the spontaneity and ambiguity within the meta-like world they're situated in as evident in later volumes. Being a different cup of “tea” compared to other volumes in the series, it started and paved the way of the Shonen like narrative that becomes the main plot, and is accompanied and layered by the rich lore of side stories which revolves around relatable side characters that embodies the complexities of Scott’s turbulent life. The quirky and wholesome themes of the book are in stark contrast with themes of forgiveness, hopelessness, isolation, and even angst that Scott and other characters experience in anyway, shape, or form. Although introducing a plethora of characters all at the same time, it does not bring the story down, nor lose interest with our main protagonist's shenanigans. “Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life” perfectly encapsulates the initial volumes run and is an amalgamation of every idea that Lee O’Malley has been conjuring of and taking note with. The fast paced nature of the volume, results in it being a quick humorous, sometime romantically mushy, action packed read which leaves readers baffled and greatly puzzled of what lies ahead. While subverting and later retaining reader’s expectations and getting a kick out of the stories momentum.
The series would not be what it is today, if this book wasn't materialized in its purest and most authentic form. I’m not even sure why I’m rambling so much with this book, when taking into consideration that this book is enough to become an extension of the fiber of my being. Just go read it.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
TLDR: I will come back and rate the series as a whole series. But this specific volume was enjoyable. I'd recommend it if you like graphic novels.
Longer Review: I like it overall but I just feel it is a bit early to make the call.
One quote I liked:
"This song is for the guy who keeps yelling from the balcony and it's called 'We hate you, please die.'
Sweet! A song for me!"
Longer Review: I like it overall but I just feel it is a bit early to make the call.
One quote I liked:
"This song is for the guy who keeps yelling from the balcony and it's called 'We hate you, please die.'
Sweet! A song for me!"
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Saw the movie first. It is unbelievable how they translated this thing from the page onto the screen. It's almost frame for frame. I wish I didn't have Michael Cera in my head, though.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes