I've honestly never heard of the comic until the movie. So what does everyone think of it? Greatest comic of the decade? Just something new and different? I'm curious and about to buy some on Amazon. Thanks!
All I can say is that it's entertaining through and through. Some of it is a little confusing and you can somewhat tell Bryan Lee O'malley wasn't sure where he was going with something or someone, but overall it's a satisfying read. Personally, I think the whole thing amuses me because the trailers seem to so closely follow the comic (I saw the trailer and decided to read the comic because I knew a friend already recommended the comic). However, the comic has some priceless expressions by the characters I don't think the movie could replicate.
After reading the first volume to see what the fuss was about, I'd say no. Copied from my post in the "rate it out of 10" thread here. Add to that annoying characters, not one of them was sympathetic or interesting, or particularly different to one another. I'd probably have more complaints too, but I'd have to re read it to remind myself, which I'm not gonna do.
Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I don't really get the concept. I mean, the basic question of any story is "why?", right? What the hell do Ramona's exes have to do with anything? Why does Scott need to "defeat" them to date her? I dunno, it smacks of the a really old-fashioned notion of "Beat this guy up and I'll date you." stuff, like out of Popeye or something. Maybe it's just me, but my instinctive reply to anything of that nature would be "No. Fuck off, crazy bitch.". Unless it's some sort of abstraction? I just don't know, but it doesn't grab me. - Coeloptera
It's all revealed in the last book. It's an awesome series as a whole, if you read just the first, you're not getting the whole story.
I didn't warm up to it until some point in volume 2. Haven't seen the movie yet (will do tonight though) but I just can't imagine it translating over all that well.
I think it's definitely overrated, but still really good. I was kind of iffy after the first volume - the random video game fight scene seemed to come out of nowhere and totally fail to fit with the enjoyable "slice of life" comic it had been up to that point - but as the series went on I grew to enjoy it more and more. It's not as awesome and perfect as some of the fans claim it is, but it is a really fun series with some enjoyable characters and great humor.
I've never read it, but if you're a podcast fan, it's discussed here. The panelists had various opinions on it, and I find them always interesting to listen to. http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-1139.php
I hadn't heard about it until the movie either, but I am curious enough that I want to read it. I've placed a hold at my local library for the first three volumes. I wasn't willing to shell out money sight unseen, so this is a good option.
But if something doesn't grab you in the first volume, where's the incentive to even pick up the second?
I don't see how it's any different from any other piece of media that has a lacking or average first book/issue/episode only to get better as it goes.
No, you're right. You shouldn't pick up the second volume. You obviously don't have the time to have fun in your life. *Skips away merrily*
