The penultimate volume of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s almost universally adored Scott Pilgrim comics, chronicling the adventures of a Canadian hipster on a quest to defeat his new girlfriend’s Seven Evil Ex-Boyfriends, will make a lot of readers very happy.

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Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe

Bryan Lee O’Malley

Oni Press, $12.

Beyond the Weekly

Scott Pilgrim

Amazon: Scott Pilgrim Volume 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. The Universe

Scott Pilgrim Vol. 5: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Universe opens with our dim hero making a birthday pledge to be “the best 24-year-old … ever!” And indeed there’s a newfound level of maturity to both Scott and the narrative. He still engages in wacky, video-game-style combat with his foes, but the battles mostly take place as background gags.

The real drama this time revolves around the relationship between Scott and Ramona, a relationship that might not last until Scott can reach the final level and defeat the series’ “boss,” to extend O’Malley’s arcade metaphors. As much fun as the action dramedy has been, it seems like O’Malley is intent on making it about something more than just awesomeness before it ends.