The Scumbag: Complete Edition

The Scumbag #1-3

by Rick Remender, Roland Boschi (Artist)

The fate of the world rests in the hands of the worst person on it! From New York Times bestselling writer RICK REMENDER and a murderers’ row of all-star artistic talent, comes the story of Ernie Ray Clementine―a profane, illiterate, drug-addicted biker with a fifth-grade education who accidentally received a power-imbuing serum making him the world’s most powerful super spy. He is a relic of a bygone era, the living embodiment of sex, drugs, and rock and roll―which doesn’t make things easy for the spy organization that needs his help as they bribe, cajole, and manipulate him to choose between his own self-interests and doing what's right.

Collects THE SCUMBAG #1-14

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

424 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2023

About the author

Rick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.

Reviews

[Gold223 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey Rick, that ending, hurtful...

[Anthony Rizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irreverent, raucous, and action-packed with biting social commentary throughout. I wasn't sure what I would think of this, but I really enjoyed it. It really drives home the point of recognizing perspectives and hypocrisy, but it also delivers a rampaging story that had me engaged for all 14 issues.

[Wouter Dhondt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had it’s ups and downs but loved the ending.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear and Loathing In Lost Vegas meets The Bourne Identity! Here's something that sticks with you thanks to flashy superpowers, how nobility can be as selfish and stupid as your neighbor, and grand spanking artwork.

Ernie Ray Clementine is one of those scumbags you wish only existed in movies. In real life Hunter S. Thompson might've been too much with how self-destructive he was. But frankly, I think that's the point. Despite the numerous figures who would be as heroic or overbearing in service to keep our known world spinning, are they really doing anything? We all know that the politics that could make things better are complicated and that it takes effort. But what's the point of making a fight out of ideologies when they only serve parties who want to prove their moral superiority.

Then there are people like Ernie; the reprobates, the patsies, the squares, and other outcasts. These aren't a third or fourth party compared to the analogues of the left, right, and centers; they're everybody who just can't stay in a corner. Ergo, they're the silent majority, the ones who keep their heads down because they can't afford to stay in the social loop. The kind of people who are labeled enemies because "if you're not with me, you're against me". But it takes an outsider's perspective to see the hypocrisies of every party. The Central Authority isn't doing enough for sure, they have all of the technology to help solve crises including a sentient AI, but they just don't apply themselves.

As for that twist ending, if people are thrown off because they feel it's a cliche, they're missing the point. You can't save the world by getting everybody to agree with you; you need an idea that inspires you to get a casual perspective from outside your wheelhouse to stay in tune with the public. May Ernie remind you: "Don't fight for your party; fight for your right to party!"

[Rumi Bossche · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Scumbag by Rick Remender and lots of artists (every issue has another artist)

Ernie Ray Clementine is a relic of the past, a hippy, a drunk, an addict and a loser. When he accidentaly receives a power imbuing super serum, making him a terrible version of James Bond, he must save the planet. Man my dad would have loved this one ! Ernie is terrible person but with 's big heart, and this is a very funny innappropiate read.

3.5 stars

[TheMadReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I read something straight through in one sitting. This was it. A comical yet genius approach to the foolishness we all experience on committing to either side of the political spectrum. Just live your life and don’t conform to any cults! I’ve read some folks not appreciating the ending but, it was perfectly fitting in my humble opinion.

Art was amazing and this deluxe edition offering is ideal for such a trippy tale.

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for everyone, but I personally loved it. Half social commentary, half fun debauchery on paper. And I really liked the protagonist too. P.s no spoiler, but you can expect a typical Remender’s ending.

[Emiliano De Napoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ipersottovalutato. Critica feroce alla società mascherata dal faceto e iperpoliticamente scorretto Ernie Ray Clementine. Personaggio leggendario. Storia, sceneggiatura , disegni da paura. L'ho amato. Fucking A.

[Heavymetalpaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

💉🩸🧬🦠🧪💊🚬⚰️⚔️💣🧨🧨🔪🗡️🤢🤮🤧😈💩👻☠️👉👌💋💄👀 is all I can really say about this book.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art wasn't for me, story was okay. Probably my least favourite of their outings.
I enjoyed that both sides politically were taken down.

[Elorm Atsrefi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnificent.

[John Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favourite Rick Remender book. Art was good, story was okay but not for me.

[Jean-Sébastien Goulet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ride, very funny stuff and some pretty good reflections on all the silliness happening with the world right now by the most anti-hero possible. The ending was absolutely glorious.

[Savage Spawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't fight for your party; fight for your right to party!

[Paul Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look how they massacred my boy.

[Omar Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Landon Schmidt-Warnecke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Score: 62
Art: 17/20
Story: 8/20
(don’t give the nazis a happy ending)
Characters: 10/20
World-building: 13/20
Writing: 14/20