We are Sex bob-omb! Here to make you feel sad and stuff!

Hey folks,
Catching up on some reviews for books that I read last month during the insane period.

Great Expectations: Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour
Just gonna make myself clear up front: I love Scott Pilgrim. Ever since I took home and read volume one titled Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life, I was hooked. I remember sitting down with volume 1 and reading it in the course of an afternoon without being able to stop. It was so much fun. I got instantly caught up in this video game-esque world where vanquishing opponents turns them into coins. So finally we come to Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour. For me, your humble reader, expectations for this conclusion were ridiculously high. Waiting 18 months will do that. As I picked up my pre-ordered copy I was nervous. Would I be elated or disappointed? Well having read the book I’d use a different word to describe my feelings: Surprised.

Writer/Artist Bryan O’Malley finished up his epic with a lot of action, a touch of darkness, and ultimately a hopeful ending. I did not predict that nearly ¾s of the book would be the final battle between Scott and the “super-boss” Gideon Graves. Although we had some cameos from side characters, and wrap up to their stories, this really came down to the triangle of Scott, Ramona, and Gideon. He eschews the focus on characterization in order to give us as much visual eye-candy as he can.

O’Malley has shown great improvement in his use of sequential art over the years. He has always emulated a manga-esque panel style. He mashes it with video games visuals to create a unique look. In volume 6 O’Malley uses this to explore dreamscapes and psychology more in-depth than in previous entries. In particular this pertains to Ramona and her own relationship issues. I found this very interesting because Ramona has maintained an air of mystery and emotional aloofness. It’s been implied that this enhances her attractiveness. It is her ability to constantly be cool but unattainable that has so many evil ex-boyfriends willing to fight for her.

This was a surprising turn in characterization to shift the focus to Ramona. Whereas the book is called Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour it could easily be called Ramona’s Darkest Therapy Session. Like Scott Ramona has her own issues to overcome that are linked to her fears. I never expected any of this from this series. Ramona has been held up on a pedestal until the aforementioned Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe. Call me pathetic or a “shipper” but I’ve always felt invested in the Scott/Ramona romance. I’ve felt that Ramona is a great dream girl in volumes 1-4. Her supercool ever-changing hair color and deft use of the subspace highway are just a few of her awesome attributes. However I was not happy when in Vol. 5 Ramona suddenly became an unlikable character. It was like a betrayal to see this sudden turn in character. She’s pissed and unhappy with Scott at the end of Vol. 5. Now I see that O’Malley was laying the groundwork to de-mystify Ramona in Vol. 6. As we head into the final confrontation Scott and Ramona are on equal footing which completes an emotional arc for the two of them.

Ultimately this elevated storytelling shows a maturity in O’Malley’s writing. It’s unfortunate that O’Malley doesn’t extend this to the side characters as he wraps up this story. I was really hoping for a cool ending for Kim Pine, Stephen Stills, and Wallace. These characters are fun enough to have spin-off books of their own. Instead O’Malley settles for some cheap laughs. I was not impressed and it felt like a step back compared to the finale that O’Malley gave Scott and Ramona. The lack of characterization with these side characters, especially Kim Pine, was particularly cheap.

Endings are hard. As a fan of the series I wanted everything to be great. In the end it turns out that Vol. 6 fits in somewhere in the middle quality-wise. I still feel that the series peaked during volumes 3 & 4 with its strong focus on the characters and relationships. However it’s not like the final volume ruins the whole series for me. It’s hopeful view of Ramona and Scott’s emotional journey is enjoyable, without being schmaltzy. It’s unpredictable and ambiguous which is one of the wonderful things about Scott Pilgrim. I hope that O’Malley continues to maintain this aspect of his style. Can’t wait for his next book.

Hey here's the past reviews for the other books in this series in chronological order (BTW I read Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life before the blog, so no past review to link): Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Infinite Sadness, Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together, Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe.

Have a great week! Book Slave.

How I develop a ghostly pale look.

Hello,
I hope you are all having a great week. I have had a lot of great time off. And being the kind of person that I am I've spent it inside curled up. That has to be why I am so ghostly pale and have never won awards for being athletic. Well Onward!

Reviews
Sweethearts
Jenna Vaughn has spent the last 5 years reinventing herself after the loss of her only friend Cameron Quick. She is shaken to discover that Cameron Quick is back in town. This is the second book from Sara Zarr who wrote acclaimed book The Story of a Girl. (Just to disclose: I've met her a few times and she's very nice.) Her specialty, thus far, is portraying the inner trauma of being the outsider. The first half of the book details in painful detail how terrible it is to be the least popular girl. Having been one myself I could easily identify with Jenna's psychological state and feel that Zarr captured it very well. She also did a lot to make Cameron Quick a mysterious, enigmatic figure. I wish that she had paid a little time to develop his character so we can better understand his motivations. At first I thought he was meant to be more adjusted than Jenna, however he seems just as troubled. I would have liked more of a view into his head since he's the catalyst of the story. The character of Jenna is so well drawn, it is unfortunate that the other teens in the story are not more realistic. I didn't buy the character of Katy, no realism there. And Ethan, Jenna's boyfriend, is so unlikable that I don't understand why she stays with him for so long. Ultimately I was drawn into the relationship between the two main characters which made the book an enjoyable, fast read.

Other Reviews
WMPL Rocks! | Teen Book Review
| slayground

Monster Vol. 1
Yes I decided to try another manga. Monster was very different from Whistle which I read last year. I was very surprised to discover that about 90% of the story is a medical drama. It was like E.R. where the main character Dr. Tenma is morally conflicted when he has to choose between patients. He's literally told to let a little boy die to operate on the mayor. Manga is never subtle but I did find the writing here to be a massive improvement. Sure the one major female character is a one-note horrible woman. The villianous medical administrators have no shades of grey, they would rather get ahead above all. They sort out who is worth saving and who isn't like gods. Dr. Tenma resists this mentality. Urasawa does a great job of layering in the thriller elements with a clear discussion of medical ethics.

Other Reviews
Comics Worth Reading | IGN | Comic Book Bin

Scott Pilgrim Vol. 5
I was heavily anticipating this next volume because I have become a huge fan of this series. As much as I am annoyed by Scott's immaturity, I understand what it's like to be 24 years old. O'Malley has done a great job of showing Scott pull himself together in order to deserve the love of Ramona Flowers. It's chivalrous how Scott has to continuously fight evil ex-boyfriends. Unfortunately for him it seems that Ramona Flowers is no longer impressed. In Vol. 5 their romance has soured. O'Malley does a great job of dropping hints throughout that makes the conclusion inevitable. Again he does a great job showing action visually and in original ways. He also does a great job portraying the mundane as well as the emotional. In the end I think that the conclusion is a set up for the final volume. I cannot wait.

Past Reviews
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 2 | Scott Pilgrim Vol. 3 | Scott Pilgrim Vol. 4

The Reading List
Books
Girl on the Fridge
Deathnote vol. 1

Comics
Captain Britain and the MI-13

Magazine
Newsweek

Check Out Count: Working on it.

Comic Pull List: Dynamo 5 #0, Outsiders #15, Trinity #38

Have a great week folks! Book Slave.

Getting my "read-on"

Hello,
Summer has finally come here with a vengeance. It is awesome. I have also had the opportunity to get my "read-on" so here we go!

Reviews
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 4
This volume is subtitled "Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together" and he does indeed. As the titular subject of this series I have often found myself amused and frustrated by Scott's immaturity. I am so glad that O'Malley finally shows some growth and change. He gets a job, a new place to live, and continues to woo the mysterious Ramona Flowers. I have loved the humor and "video-game" style of this series. It definitely is unique. While this is not my favorite of the series, (shame on O'Malley for gimmicky lesbianism) I still found myself laughing out loud. Favorite line:"Scott, if your life had a face, I would punch it. I would punch your life in the face." Bwah!

Armageddon in Retrospect
As is usually the case, this last collection of unpublished stories is a mixed bag. Vonnegut is at his best when he is discussing the evils of war. Being grounded in real experience I was shocked at his accounts of men being driven to the brink. He reminds us that there is no "good war." Some of the more oblique stories didn't hold my interest as much. Still worth a read, especially at this moment.

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 2
This rip-roaring sequel brings our team together to fight a martian invasion. It also seems that there is a traitor within their own group. The "war of the worlds" plot provides action, however this volume is more about character moments. I loved the psychological insight into the character of Mr. Hyde. Moore continues to write amazingly complex characters. As a writer he is willing to take great chances. He doesn't settle for soft characterizations and easy redemptions. Unfortunately Moore leaves us with a cliffhanger that he still hasn't resolved five years later. Why do you hate me Alan Moore? Why?

What's In My Bag
Books
Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned
A Fine Brush on Ivory

Comics
Detective Comics #844

Magazine
Film Comment

Check Out Count: Far Less Insane

Have an excellent Memorial Day Weekend! Book Slave.

Hello cyberworld,
How are you? After 4 days off in a row you'd think I'd have more read, but unfortunately other projects beckoned. However I do have some reviews for you. So Enjoy!

Reviews
Scott Pilgrim #3
This is such a fun book! It's unique and funny. This book involves Scott and his former flame Envy Adams. Adams is a great satire on bitchy pop stars, who are lost in their celebrity image. The story of Envy and Scott is a clear step toward more mature writing from O'Malley. Of course Scott has to fight another Ex-Boyfriend in order to win Ramona, but we also get to see the awesome fighting skills of Knives Chau. Highly Enjoyable.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume 2: No Future For You
This story arc is a collection of issues #6-11. Technically not yet out in a trade paperback, but it is only a matter of time so I grouped it together. I think that the greatest strength of this arc is the amazing writing of Brian K. Vaughn. Rather than Buffy, the main character in this story is Faith. Under cover to assassinate a rogue debutante slayer, Faith continues to be morally conflicted. She is the one sent in to do the dirty work and it is psychologically wearing her down. Vaughn mixes her grey morality with a need for redemption. I'm a sucker for redemption stories.

The Spirit #12
I know this is old but I am just catching up. I loved this issue. Darwyn Cook has revived an amazing series. Cook has brought in a romanticism to this final issue of his run. This tale tells the story of Denny Colt and Sand Serif, the childhood love that got away. The story spins a heady mix of lovers who are thrown together but ultimately cannot emotionally be together. Denny will always try to save her no matter how much she pushes him away. I loved it. And the art is amazing from J. Bone.

The Spirit #13
Now on the other hand I was very dissapointed in this holiday special. Half the time I had no idea what was going on. Although I will say that the woman with the tiger was pretty cool. Unfortunately we only got an 11 page story. The rest of the comic was a reprint of an old Denny O'Neill comic. Not to say that I don't like Denny O'Neill, but without a context or any investment I was lost. I'd have rather had a full issue.

What's In My Bag
Book
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
The Somnabulist

Magazine
Comics Now!

Comic
Captain America #35

Checkout Count: 48

Have a great week! Book Slave