Reading Scott Pilgrim

[angelophile]

Started reading Scott Pilgrim last night, this time with a vengeance.

I've been sat on the first two volumes for some months now. I started reading them at the time and sorta drifted away half way through the first volume.

It took seeing the movie when it came out to make it click for me. Seeing the comics translated in that way has bridged the gap where I wasn't quite getting the books or their appeal. Reading the first volume initially I just didn't care for the central characters of their situations. I'd go as far as to say I actively disliked Scott. It was only when I saw the movie that it clicked that I wasn't necessarily supposed to like him or his "precious little life". And the first volume doesn’t really do much to develop Ramona beyond suggesting she was destined to fulfill the Manic Pixie Dream Girl archetype in the series, whereas she stands as a character in her own right in the movie (and presumably later volumes).

But, it's a stepping stone to what's to come and while I found the first volume a far easier read after having the background of the movie to set it against, I still can't say I liked/loved it, but I can see as the books and characters develop I will (which is a click I was missing before). The supporting cast still give the main pleasure while the more expanded universe of the book lacks the movie's frenetic energy. But it did draw me in better, to the point where I've just ordered the remaining volumes and intend to tackle Volume 2 this evening.

I may not love this series as much as some of my other friends yet, but I'm certainly set to like it.