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Scott Pilgrim in Panels

By | July 20th, 2010
Posted in Columns | % Comments

Today marks the release of the final Scott Pilgrim book from Bryan Lee O’Malley, as (non-Alaskans) bask in the glory of Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour. With such a momentous occasion coming, and one that is met with a mix of glee and sadness, it only made sense for me to look throughout the series and figure out what my favorite moments were. Sure, these aren’t going to the biggest moments or even the best, but they are my favorites.

Click through the jump to find out what my favorite 15 moments of this series are (in chronological order!), and make sure to let us know what your favorites were in the comments.

Scott and Drunk Wallace Have a Conversation (Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life)

Why It Makes the Cut: Everything in this entire series is awesome pretty much, and every character in it is similarly awesome. However, not all of them were created equal, and in terms of second tier characters Wallace (Scott’s roommate until the end of book 4) has to be my favorite. He’s completely ridiculous and his relationship with Scott is one of the most bizarre and oddly pure ones he has. This scene from book one shows Scott trying to explain his obsession with Ramona to drunk Wallace, as Wallace attempts to spin the story in his mind to make it more interesting for him. Priceless.

Scott Pilgrim: Gifted Youngster (Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life)

Why It Makes the Cut: While I was greatly enjoying the book up until this point, I think this bit of Ramona and Scott’s first date was the moment I first realized “holy crap, I love this book.” Scott’s explanation to Ramona as to what the “X” patch on his jacket meant was fantastic, and gave hope to patch wearing comic fans the world over. It just set it even more in stone that Scott was just another one of us, except one with a ridiculously interesting life where lines like that wouldn’t make girls immediately disinterested.

Scott and Kim: Lovers?! (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)

Why It Makes the Cut: There are a number of reasons for this. First off, it’s the ending of one of my favorite SP flashback sequences. Second off, I’m an unabashed Kim Pine fan. Third off, I’m convinced that in Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour, our boy Scott will end up with Kim. Could I be wrong? Most definitely. But if I’m right? Genius! Still, a great scene.

Wallace Owns Scott, Much to Scott’s Chagrin (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)

Why It Makes the Cut: This two page combo wouldn’t make it on anyone else’s list more than likely. However, it makes mine. Why is that? These are the first pages of Scott Pilgrim I ever saw.

Really.

When Scott McCloud was off doing his every state speaking tour, I saw him in Anchorage and he used this two page spread to help convince everyone in the audience that Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim was the best comic in the world. I remember it like it was yesterday, McCloud announcing to the audience the tiny little insults Scott shouts at Wallace as the latter walks back to their home. For that, these pages will forever matter just a little more to me.

Skateboard Proficiency (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)

Why It Makes the Cut: Just like the X-Men shout out, there’s something awesome about Scott getting loot every time he defeats an evil ex. Every time he beat one, he earned some sort of prize, and this one just happened to be my favorite. He takes out (well, sort of) Lucas Lee and then gets money and a sweet Mithril Skateboard (Final Fantasy for the win!), much to his chagrin. Who wouldn’t want a Mithril Skateboard? Scott, who didn’t pick up skateboard proficiency in the 5th Grade. Wah wah wah. Hilarious and easily relatable…just the way I like it.

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CRASH AND THE BOYS! (Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness)

Why It Makes the Cut: Remember when I mentioned how some characters stand out throughout the series? For the second tier, Wallace is the champion. But for the third? Crash and the Boys!!! This is my favorite example of them, as the recently vomiting Stephen Stills looks on impressed as they rock the house with…no instruments. Not only that, but we have some of O’Malley’s trademark self-referential business, as Ramona comments on the fact that Crash and the Boys will almost certainly factor into the comic later on. Just a fantastic page.

SEX BOB-OMB! (Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness)

Why It Makes the Cut: Sex Bob-omb is one of the most ever present elements of the series, as Stephen Stills, Kim and Scott’s band is the tie that binds so many of the characters. This is my single favorite moment involving them, as the trio wears their dark costumes and Kim announces them boldly for all to hear. It’s a dynamic page of illustration that is filled to its brim in awesomeness.

One Up (Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness)

Why It Makes the Cut: After Todd Ingram (the third ex) is vanquished by the combo of Scott and the Vegan Police, Scott gets perhaps his most impressive reward yet: a one up! When I was reading this the first time, I remember audibly saying “YES!” when I saw the little Scott head appear out of nowhere. The build up and reaction from Scott was hysterical too, as the mix of panic and pure confusion that surrounds this moment (in contrast with the cavalier attitude of Ramona and Kim) makes it one of the most memorable of the series.

Thirst Versus Cash (Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together)

Why It Makes the Cut: This three panel combo always killed me. In the midst of a heat wave with no air conditioning at his apartment, Scott runs away to the local mall to cool down. While he’s there (and before he runs into former friend Lisa), he sits down to consult the contents of his pocket to see if he can afford to buy a drink. O’Malley uses a device here that he goes to from time to time, but uses it far more effectively here as juxtaposes the full thirst meter with the empty cash meter. Poor Scott, your misfortune is so hilarious.

Scott Dreams of Hyrule (Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together)

Why It Makes the Cut: Throughout the series, Scott often has his dreams invaded by Ramona when she’s taking subspace cuts through his brain. It happens a lot, but my favorite by far is the ridiculously entertaining one from the fourth book in which Scott imagines himself dressed as Link from Legend of Zelda. He’s off gallivanting with a forest elf (“Look out! Random encounter!”) when Ramona shows up to chastise him for the dorkiness. Who hasn’t imagined themselves traipsing through Hyrule off for adventure? I guess in some ways, this page shows us the genius in O’Malley’s work — he realizes on the page the things all of us twenty somethings imagine all of the time.

Scott Gets a Job…and Experience! (Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together)

Why It Makes the Cut: This is the first moment where Scott really takes a leap as a person, as in the first 3.5 books Scott was jobless and pretty much helpless. It may have just been a job as a dishwasher, but still, 500 experience points!
working with Stephen Stills! This is a big win, and it ended up being perhaps the most iconic image from the entire series. A big moment and just a damn good panel.

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Peep! (Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together)

Why It Makes the Cut: This isn’t a particularly important page (besides the fact he realizes that Roxanne was Ramona’s girlfriend at some point), but it is a hilarious one that entertains me to no end every time I see it. The idea hatching in Scott’s brain is such a literal manifestation by O’Malley, and that’s what makes it so damn funny to see. Not only that…adorable bird!

Badass Ramona! (Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together)

Why It Makes the Cut: This image is on my Scott Pilgrim shirt, and always stood out as hilariously awesome because it shows off why Ramona is so badass and why O’Malley is so damn creative — Scott in Ramona’s bag with an awesomely terrified face on! It is another of the more iconic images from the series, and it entertains me to no end when I see it (even when I’m wearing it). Plus, Scott asking about whether or not there is a bathroom in the bag is a gem and a half.

Scott Earned The Power of Love (Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together)

Why It Makes the Cut: These are the best pages in the entire series in my mind. It fills me with pure unadultered happy and makes me grin ear to ear every time I see it. Scott leveling up (+3 to heart!), getting a sword, and the phenomenal lettering from O’Malley just makes it work all the better. It’s a huge moment for Scott and for the series as a whole.

One Million Hours Later (Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe)

Why It Makes the Cut: This is like every day I’ve ever went to work ever. I love it so much. Scott Pilgrim…you will be missed.


David Harper

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