Parents' Guide to

Scott Pilgrim Series

By Teen Librarian, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Slacker turns hero for his gal in quirky graphic novels.

Book Bryan Lee O'Malley Humor 2004
Scott Pilgrim Series Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

jacksyken
jacksyken Adult
February 19, 2015
age 10+

somewhat iffy

Its a very good series, but there is a lot of stylized violence. Some sex. Only one actual sex scene in the entire book. Where the two characters are both 17 and Scott and Kim have sex in the back of Kim's car. Both characters are depicted naked, Scott is on top of Kim, and they are covered by a blanket. Also, my favorite line In the book is this. "So how does it feel to no longer be a child in the eyes of the law... DO YOU WANT TO HAVE SEX? I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE SEX! CASUAL SEX!!!!!". Otherwise it is only depicted after its done. (A two people in the same bed sort of thing.). "Every character gets drunk at least once, and two straight girls make out in a closet .

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
FilmManiac
FilmManiac Adult
August 4, 2011
age 13+

Possibly one of the best graphic novel series

I think that the "Scott Pilgrim" series is possibly one of the best graphic novel series ever written. I even dressed as Ramona Flowers for Halloween! But I am more than just a fan, I appreciate Bryan Lee O'malley and all the small genius touches and hard work he put into these fantastic graphic novels. How I think I disagree with Common Sense is that I think the series is more inappropriate then the movie, because there is more time in the 6 books to put mature behavior. The first 3 books are pretty appropriate, with cartoon/video game style violence, 1 underwear scene (but more the mention of sex), light swearing and several gay characters (one gay character sleeps in the same bed as a straight character, but they are roommates and just friends and nothing ever happens). In the last three books the mature content gets heavier. Scott and his girlfriend move in together (unmarried) and sleep in the same bed. Instead of just drinking in bars, in the last three books several characters get drunk. While drunk, a girl Kim (straight) makes out with a girl named Knives (also straight) and Kim again while drunk makes out with Ramona, who is currently dating and living with Scott. In the first 5 books the violence is not really an issue, but in the sixth book the last fight in the series is very bloody. Knives (not the character) are stabbed into the hearts of characters, and Scott even dies, but magically returns back to life.Though the only death is by Gideon, he is an villain and his death is not gory. The book does deliver good messages. Even though Scott is not very likable in the 1st book, over time you see he is a good person who truly loves his girlfriend and cares for his friends. Scott Pilgrim series is fun, hilarious, romantic, action packed, and just great. I encourage you to go and read it.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Scott Pilgrim is just your average 23-year-old living in Canada. He hangs out with his high-school girlfriend, Knives, and plays in the band Sex Bob-Omb with his friends. Everything's perfect for Scott ... until the day he sees Ramona Flowers delivering packages for Amazon.ca. Scott dumps Knives to be with Ramona, but then learns about Ramona's exes -- evil exes, that is. Ramona's seven evil exes must be defeated by Scott so he can stay with Ramona. Soon, Scott is fighting twins, vegan power, and ninjas; eventually, even Knives Chau and her dad put themselves into the ring with Scott. Will Scott defeat all the exes or will he lose Ramona forever? Who is the Gideon that Ramona keeps referring to? And will Scott's band ever get to play a real show?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (24):

The SCOTT PILGRIM SERIES is very funny, insightful, and whimsical. The story will draw readers in and as the series progresses, Scott gets easier to root for and Ramona gets more mysterious.

The illustrations, done in black and white to show off the action to greatest effect, are more derivative of Manga than traditional comic book-style drawings. They show characters' expressions beautifully even with very minimal lines. And when Scott starts fighting the evil exes, the drawings portray the magnitude of the situations, which often play out like action sequences in video games -- so of course this series also gets the video game treatment.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about relationships and how they change people. Have you ever liked anyone so much that you'd be willing to change who you were for them? Is it always change for the better?

  • Ramona uses subspace portals to travel long distances in order to deliver goods for her job at Amazon.ca. Where would you travel if you could use subspace portals? How would you use them on a daily basis?

  • For fans of Michael Cera as well as this book series, do you think he's the right guy to play Scott? Who would you imagine? What about Ramona?

Book Details

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