REVIEW: Scott Pilgrim

Scott Pilgrim, inspired by the song of the same name by Plumtree, is a story about life. A life which every single person can relate to, whether it’s about playing video games, trying to become a successful band or finding that one true love, Scott Pilgrim encompasses so much for just a simple comic book series. The series started publication in 2004, with one volume released annually and now in the face of the last volume of the series being released in 2010 Scott Pilgrim is going out with a bang. By the end of 2010 Scott Pilgrim will comprise of a film, directed by Edgar Wright creator of “Spaced”,” Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” and also a  scrolling 16-bit inspired video game.

The series of comic books, of which there are five at the time of writing centre around the protagonist Scott, a somewhat lazy twenty-three year old with no job who seems to be just coasting along being supported by Wallace, his gay room-mate who Scott lives with. The story of Scott Pilgrim doesn’t sound like much to enthral people. Countless times I’ve heard it being described as “It’s about a dude who does…well…nothing” and when you think about it that statement still holds true. Scott has no motivation for higher goals, no career and certainly no desire to create world peace. So why do the fans love this series? There must be something that draws them in and frustrates them as they have to sit on their hands waiting patiently for the next volume. The answer I’m told is simple, so simple in fact it would be easy to overlook on your first reading.

The draw of Scott Pilgrim is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. If you think back to any situation you’ve ever been in life, have you ever imagined that moment or that series of events in a comic book style? Maybe you beat a bully and in your dreams that night you envisioned how it might look to those onlookers, as some Karate Kid kung-fu spectacular. That makes this series so appealing. If you’ve ever wanted to see a normal day in, day out life story where you can experience the events unfold as if you were watching a video game then Scott Pilgrim is for you. But, it’s not only that, what stands out the most about Scott Pilgrim are the characters themselves.

In the first volume you are introduced to the characters that would become the focus of the story. The characters created by Bryan Lee O’Malley are fascinatingly simple, both in motivation and character.  So much so, that I’ve found myself more interested in the character of Kim Pine rather than our main hero and protagonist Scott. Other characters, such as Wallace for example are incredibly fleshed out and provide that much needed moral view point that Scott should adhere too, and often doesn’t.

Anyone with a sense humour and who is able to read something like a comic book and not subjugate it to stereotypical such as action, comedy, drama and so on will instantly be able to pick up this series and enjoy it. Others might be a little sceptical about whether or not they enjoy it until maybe the second volume, where facts about Scott’s past life are revealed, adding a touch of humanity to a rather bland character.  Scott’s faults are all too human, from seeking basic companionship from Knives Chau until he meets Ramona Flowers, a girl who is simply drawn to and must fight for (literally) in order to keep her.

Scott Pilgrim is in short a series which takes a leap of faith to fall in love with. It has until this year passed me by, for I have gone a whole five years not appreciating it.  Like any medium it has to be experienced firsthand, no-one will be able to encompass just what Scott Pilgrim is about as every single person will take something very different from it. With that said it’s very likely that this review is completely pointless but I urge you, give it a try. I hold it in the same regard as Evangelion, love it or hate it, you need to experience it for you to truly make your mind up and even if you don’t like it, you will take something away with you.