Pilgrim’s progress

Scott Pilgrim is a wannabe rock star who plays bass in local band Sex Bob-Omb, and is in love with American delivery girl Ramona - but, to date her, he must defeat her seven 'evil' ex-boyfriends. Strongly keyed in to both slacker and video-game culture, Bryan Lee O'Malley's acclaimed saga has developed into a sizeable cult hit since its 2004 debut, and is sure to become even bigger with Edgar Wright's forthcoming film version starring Michael Cera. Despite the relative simplicity and cartoonishness of O'Malley's Manga-inspired artwork, he impressively manages to achieve rich characterisation and vivid emotion as the hero indulges in his amusing power fantasies.

Danny Graydon