Valet Reader

Perhaps if you’ve been living under a rock you would be unaware that Scott Pilgrim vs. The World comes to the big screen in this weekend. Alright, that’s not entirely fair, had my loving sister not told me about the movie I would probably be oblivious too. Actually, before her mention I had no idea who Bryan Lee O’Malley was, but now, now I’m a fan. Here’s your wake-up call, jump on the band wagon and get ready, I have faith that this one is going to be good. Not good in the, “I’m going to wait in line like a rabid Twilight fan for 12 hours” kind of way, but good in the more sensible, “Gee, that looks like it’d be a really fun, entertaining movie that I’ll be sure to catch at some point during it’s run in the theaters.”

Before I spoil my review by providing you with the trailer to the movie I’ll give you a brief rundown and a little review of the books, comics, graphic novels, whatever you wish to call them.

Scott Pilgrim and I have a lot in common. Well actually, I don’t nor have I ever played in a rock band, never dated a 17 year old when I was 23, have never lived in Canada (but I have visited), never dated a woman named Ramona with 7 evil ex-boyfriends, never lived in a studio with a gay best friend or had a sister that was more mature than I (ok, that last one may actually be something that Scott and I have in common). Regardless of these, let me say unimportant differences, Scott and I are still a lot a like. I’m not so sure how but take my word for it we are.

In short, O’Malley has created a comic based upon a naive 23/4 year old who plays bass in a rock band and has no idea how to handle love. He is surrounded by friends who are gay, more naive, snotty, annoying and often times, ex-girlfriends. When Scott meets a girl named Ramona Flowers he is instantly smitten and must have her. There’s only one catch, in order to have her he must defeat her 7 evil ex-boyfriends.

Part comic book, part video game in a comic book, and all humor, Scott battles these 7 ex-boyfriend’s in the 6 book series created by Mr. O’Malley. You may be wondering how there are 7 ex’s but only 6 books, but in order to find that out you’ll have to read the books or I suppose you could just see the movie but I’d consider that cheating. I mean it, cheating. The books themselves are only, on average 198 pages long, with many pages consisting of solely illustrations. Come on people, it’s easy and it’s worth the one hour each of these books takes to read.

I’m sitting here trying to be somewhat cynical and think of negative things I can say about these books. Why? Well, it’s kind of my style. I don’t like writing and telling you that this series is all good, but honestly, I’m drawing a blank. (Oh, it’s just come to me, I didn’t exactly love the last volume as much as the others but still, it’s not enough for me to even attempt to dissuade you. I’ve already mentioned that they’re quick, they’re fun and they’re funny.) Not only that, but you my friends should consider yourselves lucky if you have not read any of them to date. Mr. O’Malley’s first volume of Scott Pilgrim came out six years ago and the final and sixth volume has just now been released. You get it? You don’t have to wait! Some series of books (Not to name names but Collins’ Hunger Games, Westerfield’s Leviathan & Evans’ The Walk) make you wait and wait and wait for the next installment to come out. That’s the beauty of catching a series right at the end, no waiting.

I could or almost could understand you if you told me that you weren’t interested in reading or being seen with a comic book. But again, my friends you would be mistaken. Taking a flight somewhere? Bring one with you. Going to the beach for the day? Take one with you. Laying in bed while your girlfriend, boyfriend, significant other sleeps? Have one next to you. Get the point?

I think I’ve said my piece. Oh and here’s the trailer for the upcoming movie…