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A review by larry1138
Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
This one was an up and down journey but I can definitively say that, at least for myself, this was the book that was the most emotional for me, and not just because of the sweet ending and the completion of a six volume series that has become such an important part of my love of the Scott Pilgrim franchise.
It was fascinating to observe my own mental state as I got annoyed at Scott for being a bum at the beginning of this volume as he continued acting as anti-social as previous volumes in which I highly disliked his character. However, the change he goes through in this volume is perhaps the most profound. There is even a line in here where he admits he may not be ready to be an adult before a friend pushes him to become one anyway. In several important ways, he does, and thus finally becomes a protagonist worthy of the term and even a heroic main character worthy of praise, a transformation I might add that was actually handled worse in the movie. Michale Cera's Scott only had to merely apologize for his previous sins and the audience just had to assume he was a changed man. This version of Scott truly accomplished mental reform and took responsibility for his past actions.
This evolution of Scott is particularly stark when compared to the final evil ex, Gideon Graves, and his interactions with Ramona and Envy Adams and a few other people he screwed over (no spoilers!). The emotional catharsis at the climactic final fight was satisfying for sure. Lot's of side characters had plotlines wrapped up neatly. Ramona and Scott walk through a door. And the series comes to an end. What a way to spend 15 minutes.
I may reread this series in the original black and white versions. I should note once again I'm reading the Evil Exes box set which itself is color and contains at the back of every volume behind the scenes pages delving in to O'Malley's creative vision and concept art for other versions of the volumes. Going through this series was an absolute joy. I am so glad I took a chance renting Scott Pilgrim vs the World on iTunes way back in 2009 so that now in 2023 I have the privilege of being able to experience this world again!
A high recommend from me, particularly since the reader of this has probably made it through the past five volumes and it sort of just wouldn't make sense to stop now. But also this is genuinely a good graphic novel!
It was fascinating to observe my own mental state as I got annoyed at Scott for being a bum at the beginning of this volume as he continued acting as anti-social as previous volumes in which I highly disliked his character. However, the change he goes through in this volume is perhaps the most profound. There is even a line in here where he admits he may not be ready to be an adult before a friend pushes him to become one anyway. In several important ways, he does, and thus finally becomes a protagonist worthy of the term and even a heroic main character worthy of praise, a transformation I might add that was actually handled worse in the movie. Michale Cera's Scott only had to merely apologize for his previous sins and the audience just had to assume he was a changed man. This version of Scott truly accomplished mental reform and took responsibility for his past actions.
This evolution of Scott is particularly stark when compared to the final evil ex, Gideon Graves, and his interactions with Ramona and Envy Adams and a few other people he screwed over (no spoilers!). The emotional catharsis at the climactic final fight was satisfying for sure. Lot's of side characters had plotlines wrapped up neatly. Ramona and Scott walk through a door. And the series comes to an end. What a way to spend 15 minutes.
I may reread this series in the original black and white versions. I should note once again I'm reading the Evil Exes box set which itself is color and contains at the back of every volume behind the scenes pages delving in to O'Malley's creative vision and concept art for other versions of the volumes. Going through this series was an absolute joy. I am so glad I took a chance renting Scott Pilgrim vs the World on iTunes way back in 2009 so that now in 2023 I have the privilege of being able to experience this world again!
A high recommend from me, particularly since the reader of this has probably made it through the past five volumes and it sort of just wouldn't make sense to stop now. But also this is genuinely a good graphic novel!