Publishers Weekly
After three volumes of hilarious slacking-a jobless trek of playing in a band, wobbling between romantic entanglements and battling the seven evil ex-boyfriends of his current girlfriend, Ramona Flowers-Scott Pilgrim must finally make choices. Does he truly love mysterious messenger Ramona? Will his band SexBobOmb play out? Can he pay the rent? Can he keep a job? And why is be being followed by two ninjas? O'Malley's manga-tinged youth comedy has gotten more confident as the series has become a veritable institution, with an eight-page color section to open this volume, but the story, too, reveals new layers of character. This time out the main complication in Scott's life is Julie, a high school might-have-been-girlfriend. Cute Julie keeps showering him with attention, forcing him to deal with his feelings for Ramona, who also has a visitor from her past. The references from indie band lore, video games and manga keep the story sharp, while the occasional fight scenes-Scott must face two opponents at once!-are perfect metaphors for the uncertainty and excitement of being an early 20-something. O'Malley's sparkling dialogue captures the bravado, insensitivity and engaging cluelessness of a generation for whom a dishwashing job constitutes "getting it together" big time. (Nov.)
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