Before Bryan Lee O’Malley’s slacker-turned-superhero showed his true (and vibrant) colors on the silver screen, he gained his indie cred on the black and white pages of Oni Press’ six-volume run of graphic novels. Here’s a rundown of the books that begot the blockbuster.

Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life

Slacker Canuck and part-time bassist Scott Pilgrim is dating high schooler Knives Chau, but that all changes when he meets the woman of his dreams, literally, in rollerblading delivery girl Ramona Flowers. Little is known about the neon-haired enigma until a rock show goes from stereo to mano-a-mano when the first of Ramona’s evil exes crashes the scene. Enter: the league of Ramona’s evil exes.

Rating: Awesome

Grade: 7/10
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

What do Kim Pine, Knives Chau, Envy Adams and Ramona Flowers have in common? They’ve all dated Scott Pilgrim. No longer simply about Scott fighting for the right to date Ramona, this second entry takes a look at Scott’s past and reveals why old habits die hard while boasting dueling dames and the same whimsically rapid-fire dialogue amidst a backdrop of comic chaos.

Rating: The (sex) Bob-omb

Grade: 9/10
Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness

Picking up immediately where volume two leaves off, Scott finds himself battling vegan psychics and chicks with bionic arms, not to mention old flames-turned-foes in the form of Envy Adams, front woman for alt-rockers The Clash at Demonhead. “Infinite” or not, who’s to be sad when there’s bass duels and hammer fights to throw down?

Rating: Hammer Time

Grade: 8/10
Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together

Things are starting to look up for Scott Pilgrim. He’s got a girl, a job and a warm bed to sleep in at night with his gay roommate, Wallace (but not like that). However, this funniest and most balanced entry in the set is not without its surprises: Ramona hasn’t been particularly “straight” about her past, Scott is tempted by the fruit of another (yes, another!) and faces some new enemies who don’t even belong in the league of evil exes. Hint: one being his own worst enemy.

Rating: Totally Insane

Grade: 10/10
Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe

Woah, now; first the world, now the universe? As if the Japanese twins Ramona dated (at the same time) weren’t enough of a threat, Scott’s got robots to fight, all before facing the mysterious Gideon—the last of Ramona’s evil exes. With the “universe” seemingly against them, Scott and Ramona’s relationship sinks to a vulnerable low, leaving readers to wonder what will become of Scott’s quest, and just what is with everyone’s head glowing.

Rating: Heavy

Grade: 9/10
Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour

Released just this past July, this “finest hour” in question reads, well, in just under an hour and brings the comedy, action and romance full circle in an epic finale that’s been the topic of speculation for avid readers since the story’s inception. Battles are waged, heroes are tested, conclusions are reached and, unlike Lost, this one has answers.

Rating: Flawless Victory(?)

Grade: 8/10