SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD: Be cool before seeing the film.

SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD arrives in theaters Aug. 13th, and early reviews are very favorable. I was lucky to see a screening of it a few weeks ago, and enjoyed it tremendously. Judging from crowd reaction, everyone else liked it too. It's a repository of pop-culture references to video games and comics books, but blends in the universal themes of love, responsibility, and relationships seamlessly so as not to alienate the non-gaming crowd. It's a fine, funny, if flawed version of the comic book series that inspired it.

What? The movie is based on comic series? Yup. Consider this a Beginner's Guide to Scott Pilgrim. In true geek-culture form, you can tell everyone you knew about the comic series before it ws a movie. Impress your friends...if your friends are easily impressed.

Since 2004, SCOTT PILGRIM has been released as a series of graphic novels from Oni Press, the final book (volume 6) was just released this July. The plot is simple enough. Scott is 23-year old slacker/wannabe rock star/lover/hero who falls in love with the new girl in town, Ramona Flowers. To "win" the chance to date her, he has to battle her evil ex-boyfriends, all of whom have various super-powers. (I won't tell you what the powers are, it's too much fun when they're revealed.) Did I mention Scott has a girlfriend already? He does. Her name is Knives Chau, she's 17, kicks butt, and isn't thrilled about Scott's current behavior.

With the help of his fellow band members and gay roommate, Scott embarks on his quest to win Ramona's heart. During this time, he battles Ramona's ex-boyfriends, avoids his own girlfriend, competes against rival bands, and maybe learns a little something about himself along the way. Each comic serves as a video-game level, complete with power-ups, with Scott battling the boss/boyfriend at the end in order to move ahead.

Despite the heavy nod to video games and pop-culture references, this is a series that will appeal to anyone who's passed through the strange world of young adulthood. Even with the over-the-top battles, the series never strays far from it's human core. Always funny, very entertaining, and easy to relate to, SCOTT PILGRIM is a recommended read for everyone. Now go tell your friends about the comic before the movie is a hit.