Scott Pilgrim

The six-volume graphic novel series is written and drawn by Brian Lee O'Malley. It features the titular Scott Pilgrim, an average video-game-loving 23-year-old who hasn't quite learned how to grow up and his ragtag group of “friends” (I use that word strenuously). Scott's been having some weird dreams about a pink-haired delivery girl, and, when he actually sees the real thing at a party, it's love at first sight. It's all romantic-comedy fun until the girl, Ramona Flowers, informs Scott that, in order for them to date, he must first defeat her seven evil exes. And, while he attempts that, Scott must also finish things with his previous girlfriend Knives Chau, get his band Sex Bob-omb off the ground, and get a job so he and his roommate can pay the rent.

The thing that made the series so fantastic was its use of hilarious video game tropes: level-ups, free lifes, and weapon upgrades (Giant Hammer: +2 against girls) are frequent occurrences. Besides the aforementioned seven evil exes, the characters are just average joes, so it's quite interesting watching them adapt to this new action-packed lifestyle.