It’s often said that the second book is the hardest for an author. For Bryan Lee O’Malley, it might be more accurate to say that the eight book is the hardest. Following his graphic novel debut with 2003’s Lost At Sea, O’Malley devoted most of his energy to the Scott Pilgrim series. Six volumes and one movie adaptation later, O’Malley has earned numerous awards and a legion of rabid followers. Where does a creator go from there? Is there anywhere to go but down?

Seconds is appropriately titled, because it’s both a story about second chances and a chance for O’Malley to launch the next phase of his artistic career. It showcases an artist maturing in his visual style and mode of storytelling without losing any of the charm or whimsy that made the Scott Pilgrim series stand out. So while it’s a very different kind of graphic novel from the Scott Pilgrim books or Lost at Sea, O’Malley fanatics will feel right at home with Seconds.

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