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Bandette #1
Presto!
She is ALLURING
She is MYSTERIOUS
She is BANDETTE!
The world's greatest thief is a costumed teen burglar by the nome d'arte of Bandette! Gleefully plying her skills on either side of the law alongside her network of street urchins, Bandette is a thorn in the side of both Police Inspector Belgique and the criminal underworld. But it's not all breaking hearts and purloining masterpieces when a rival thief makes a startling discovery. Can even Bandette laugh off a plot against her life?
She is MYSTERIOUS
She is BANDETTE!
The world's greatest thief is a costumed teen burglar by the nome d'arte of Bandette! Gleefully plying her skills on either side of the law alongside her network of street urchins, Bandette is a thorn in the side of both Police Inspector Belgique and the criminal underworld. But it's not all breaking hearts and purloining masterpieces when a rival thief makes a startling discovery. Can even Bandette laugh off a plot against her life?
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
3026 people want to read
About the author
Paul Tobin
925 books405 followersPaul Tobin is the Eisner-award winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Bandette, Colder, and many other comic books and graphic series.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 466 reviews
June 13, 2016
A stylishly nostalgic little package, the cat-burglar comic Bandette by husband-and-wife team Paul Tobin (writer) and Colleen Coover (artist) brings to mind the clear lines and bold colors of Hergé’s Tintin, the romanticized view of Paris typical of American movies from the 1950s and 60s (such as An American in Paris), and the strong, life-affirming, community-minded femininity celebrated in Marston’s early Wonder Woman comics from the 1940s. Ironically, Coover has created the book’s gorgeous retro look largely on the computer – not the most nostalgic approach.
While I enjoyed Bandette’s sense of design and nostalgia, I found the plot too generic and the characters too one-dimensional to be truly engaging. I never really cared about the protagonist in particular, and by the book’s end I had even grown a little tired of her always vibrant smile and charming personality – but maybe that’s just grumpy old me...
While I enjoyed Bandette’s sense of design and nostalgia, I found the plot too generic and the characters too one-dimensional to be truly engaging. I never really cared about the protagonist in particular, and by the book’s end I had even grown a little tired of her always vibrant smile and charming personality – but maybe that’s just grumpy old me...
March 2, 2019
What a delightful and fun almost all-ages read. I can't wait to read Bandette's next adventure. Bandette is a charming cat thief in Paris liberating stolen art from private individuals. She's become such a thorn in the side of F.I.N.I.S. they've decided to get rid of her. Bandette always has the perfect plan mapped out usually involving her group of irregulars.
A lovely, madcap, campy romp through the rooftops of Paris with exquisite water color art from Colleen Coover. Comics just don't get better than this.
A lovely, madcap, campy romp through the rooftops of Paris with exquisite water color art from Colleen Coover. Comics just don't get better than this.
June 24, 2015
Bandette feels like a comic book adaptation of a beloved yet campy 60s TV show like Adam West’s Batman, whose heroes and villains are gleefully parodying their roles, the storylines are wilfully crazy and a freewheeling sense of fun pervades the entire enterprise; but of course it isn’t. Bandette is an original comic by husband and wife team Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover starring Maxime Plouffe, a young lady and our heroine, who trips the light fantastic as her alter ego Bandette the gentlewoman thief, “liberating” works of art from those who have acquired them through illicit means. Assisting her is her little dog Pimento, a delivery boy called Daniel, street kids, and a trio of ballerinas! But her numerous escapades bring her to the attention of a criminal organisation masquerading as a charity: Friends In Need Improvement Society, or FINIS for short, who decide to get rid of Bandette - once and for all!
Bandette is a really, really charming and delightful character and book. If you’re looking for dark and brooding characters or a world grounded in harsh realism, you won’t find it here. Bandette is a character who is constantly smiling and is surrounded by friends who help her in her puckish rogue adventures - she’s no dark solitary operator. Paul Tobin writes the book in a very breezy, lightweight and accessible style (“How dare you shoot at me? How rude!”) where even though real threats like bank robbers and gangsters appear, they’re not dealt with with over-the-top violence; instead Bandette utilises “knockout spray” (another feature that reminded me of Batman 66) and acting to outwit her foes.
The comic is drawn in a strongly European-influenced style, probably to match the French setting, like the Commissioner Gordon-type character, Inspector B.D. Belgique, who looks like a cross between Goscinny and Uderzo’s Asterix and Dupuy and Berberian’s Monsieur Jean, while the settings have a distinctly Herge/Tintin flavour to them. It’s also coloured in a painted style similar to Jill Thompson’s beautiful Beasts of Burden books - but I don’t want to take anything away from Colleen Coover, her art in this book is definitely her own and absolutely gorgeous, I mention all of these artists to say that she’s in good company and the comic looks great. The settings appear clearly but look almost dreamlike when the eye focuses on the characters like a watercolour, and her character designs for Bandette, Monsieur, and Matadori are outstanding. The facial expressions especially are subtle but distinct and in certain panels she even fools you into missing certain details that, when you turn back, you notice were there all along (I’m thinking of the pickpocketing scenes in particular) which displays a truly masterful technique.
The story itself of Bandette, her rival Monsieur/Leon Corvo, Absinthe and FINIS, is really fun and I loved reading it for that, but it’s the little details that put this book over the top for me. That Bandette is a hero who, in her downtime, enjoys reading books is great; that her outfit turns into civilian clothes is brilliant; and that her hideout is accessed through a puddle is amazing. I love that Belgique constantly swears but that his expletives are deleted (which again reminded me of Asterix where Goscinny and Uderzo came up with the most amazing ways to represent swearing without using words). There’s also one scene in a graveyard where Bandette fights Matadori, an assassin hired by FINIS to bring Bandette to them, and their fight - after the theatrical flourishes both love saying precisely for their theatricality: “And so. We meet at last. Yes! I’ve always wanted to say that!” - divulges into a discussion about clothing, as they’re fighting!
Bandette: By the way your cape is very nice.
Matadori: Oh, thank you!
Bandette: Did you make it yourself?
Matadori: No, I am no good with the needle…
The book ends with a series of short stories drawn by different artists and includes a prose short story by Tobin that fleshes out the Bandette/Daniel the Rad Thai delivery boy storyline, and all of them are excellent.
Bandette is the real deal, the full package, and whatever other cliches you want to call it - maybe the best one of all: a good read. It won the Eisner this year for Best Digital Comic and deservedly so. Tobin and Coover have created a wonderful character and world that I completely fell for and will definitely be returning to again in the future, especially for the prospect of reading about Bandette and Monsieur’s Great Thieving Race. Tobin’s script is dynamite, Coover’s artwork is sublime, and Bandette is pure joy expertly distilled into a perfect comic - an absolute success on every level.
Presto!
Bandette is a really, really charming and delightful character and book. If you’re looking for dark and brooding characters or a world grounded in harsh realism, you won’t find it here. Bandette is a character who is constantly smiling and is surrounded by friends who help her in her puckish rogue adventures - she’s no dark solitary operator. Paul Tobin writes the book in a very breezy, lightweight and accessible style (“How dare you shoot at me? How rude!”) where even though real threats like bank robbers and gangsters appear, they’re not dealt with with over-the-top violence; instead Bandette utilises “knockout spray” (another feature that reminded me of Batman 66) and acting to outwit her foes.
The comic is drawn in a strongly European-influenced style, probably to match the French setting, like the Commissioner Gordon-type character, Inspector B.D. Belgique, who looks like a cross between Goscinny and Uderzo’s Asterix and Dupuy and Berberian’s Monsieur Jean, while the settings have a distinctly Herge/Tintin flavour to them. It’s also coloured in a painted style similar to Jill Thompson’s beautiful Beasts of Burden books - but I don’t want to take anything away from Colleen Coover, her art in this book is definitely her own and absolutely gorgeous, I mention all of these artists to say that she’s in good company and the comic looks great. The settings appear clearly but look almost dreamlike when the eye focuses on the characters like a watercolour, and her character designs for Bandette, Monsieur, and Matadori are outstanding. The facial expressions especially are subtle but distinct and in certain panels she even fools you into missing certain details that, when you turn back, you notice were there all along (I’m thinking of the pickpocketing scenes in particular) which displays a truly masterful technique.
The story itself of Bandette, her rival Monsieur/Leon Corvo, Absinthe and FINIS, is really fun and I loved reading it for that, but it’s the little details that put this book over the top for me. That Bandette is a hero who, in her downtime, enjoys reading books is great; that her outfit turns into civilian clothes is brilliant; and that her hideout is accessed through a puddle is amazing. I love that Belgique constantly swears but that his expletives are deleted (which again reminded me of Asterix where Goscinny and Uderzo came up with the most amazing ways to represent swearing without using words). There’s also one scene in a graveyard where Bandette fights Matadori, an assassin hired by FINIS to bring Bandette to them, and their fight - after the theatrical flourishes both love saying precisely for their theatricality: “And so. We meet at last. Yes! I’ve always wanted to say that!” - divulges into a discussion about clothing, as they’re fighting!
Bandette: By the way your cape is very nice.
Matadori: Oh, thank you!
Bandette: Did you make it yourself?
Matadori: No, I am no good with the needle…
The book ends with a series of short stories drawn by different artists and includes a prose short story by Tobin that fleshes out the Bandette/Daniel the Rad Thai delivery boy storyline, and all of them are excellent.
Bandette is the real deal, the full package, and whatever other cliches you want to call it - maybe the best one of all: a good read. It won the Eisner this year for Best Digital Comic and deservedly so. Tobin and Coover have created a wonderful character and world that I completely fell for and will definitely be returning to again in the future, especially for the prospect of reading about Bandette and Monsieur’s Great Thieving Race. Tobin’s script is dynamite, Coover’s artwork is sublime, and Bandette is pure joy expertly distilled into a perfect comic - an absolute success on every level.
Presto!
March 2, 2019
Girl bandit, wildly fun, with a Chief Inspector Dreyfus-like boss (Pink Panther), but she is no Clouseau, she is funny and fun and accomplished in martial arts, and no buffoon. She is like Robin Hood in that, while she is a thief, she steals from the rich, while she also works for the police… This is a colorful, Eisner-award-winning digital comic that has now been turned into a book, which in this volume ends with stories written by Tobin and drawn by artists other than the original artist Colleen Coover…. and there are really cool and instructional sections at the end of the book about how the writing and art got created, which is pretty impressive. This is really good stuff, with a strong girl character. Way fun, maybe especially for teens, even tweens, though younger kids might like it, too, and, well, I did!
October 29, 2016
So simple, so charming, so fun... nothing more is needed to put a smile on my face
August 14, 2016
Welcome to the camp caped-crusader world of Bandette, the world's greatest thief!
Presto! was a fun and entertaining read and reminded me of 1960s Batman in a lot of ways (I suspect the illustrations and the silly dialogue had something to do with it) nevertheless, it whisked me away into France and set the scene beautifully.
Bandette is a fun, crime-loving girl who has a huge heart. Her biggest rival, Monsieur, is also looking for the biggest heist and you see them get one over each other, adding to the playfulness of the narrative. There is also an appearance by Matadori and the showdown between her and Bandette is pretty hilarious (take special notice of their banter).
The chain-smoking Detective Belgique relies on the quick-thinking/doing Bandette to bring the "true" criminals to justice, and, once again, restores a sense of harmony to the streets of France.
Lastly, there is the ultimate villain - Absinthe, who wishes to see Bandette dead, and the concluding pages to this first volume ends on an ominous, and pretty sinister, note. I have no doubt though, that Bandette will triumph again - she is a super kick-ass caped crusader!
The one drawback to this first volume were the additional urchin stories included at the end which were devoid of any real humour and didn't contribute in getting to know the various characters better. I felt they were too short to be of any real value or add any great depth to the story; if the second volume contains these, I think I'll just skip them.
Overall, Presto! contains a cracking little story and sets up the second volume nicely. I shall definitely continue with Bandette to see her kick ass again!
Presto! was a fun and entertaining read and reminded me of 1960s Batman in a lot of ways (I suspect the illustrations and the silly dialogue had something to do with it) nevertheless, it whisked me away into France and set the scene beautifully.
Bandette is a fun, crime-loving girl who has a huge heart. Her biggest rival, Monsieur, is also looking for the biggest heist and you see them get one over each other, adding to the playfulness of the narrative. There is also an appearance by Matadori and the showdown between her and Bandette is pretty hilarious (take special notice of their banter).
The chain-smoking Detective Belgique relies on the quick-thinking/doing Bandette to bring the "true" criminals to justice, and, once again, restores a sense of harmony to the streets of France.
Lastly, there is the ultimate villain - Absinthe, who wishes to see Bandette dead, and the concluding pages to this first volume ends on an ominous, and pretty sinister, note. I have no doubt though, that Bandette will triumph again - she is a super kick-ass caped crusader!
The one drawback to this first volume were the additional urchin stories included at the end which were devoid of any real humour and didn't contribute in getting to know the various characters better. I felt they were too short to be of any real value or add any great depth to the story; if the second volume contains these, I think I'll just skip them.
Overall, Presto! contains a cracking little story and sets up the second volume nicely. I shall definitely continue with Bandette to see her kick ass again!
March 4, 2014
It took me the entire first issue of this collection to get into the spirit of Bandette. The tone is just so light and irreverent that it took me awhile to get into it. It isn't just irreverent, it's joyful. It isn't just Bandette herself that's joyful. By the end of the book, I was absolutely sure that both Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover were having a blast working on it. And that sense of fun is wonderfully infectious. I thought this book was cheesy after the first few pages, but by the end, I was having a blast. I'd love to read more of this.
There's a bunch of bonuses at the end of the book, but the best by far is Coover's step-by-step walkthrough on how she did the pencils, inks, and coloring for this book, largely digitally. Honestly, it really didn't mean anything to me, since I'm not at all artistic. But I can picture this being hugely helpful with aspiring artists. And I really can't remember ever seeing a tutorial this detailed as a bonus in a comic book.
There's a bunch of bonuses at the end of the book, but the best by far is Coover's step-by-step walkthrough on how she did the pencils, inks, and coloring for this book, largely digitally. Honestly, it really didn't mean anything to me, since I'm not at all artistic. But I can picture this being hugely helpful with aspiring artists. And I really can't remember ever seeing a tutorial this detailed as a bonus in a comic book.
July 11, 2016
Such a delightful and fun little book! Campy, colorful, with a good sense of humor, it feels like some good old adventure TV show in all the best ways. And awesome artwork by Colleen Coover adds so much charm to this already great series. Perfect comic book for a quick summer read!
April 4, 2017
Bandette is a quirky book. The main character is a thief operating in Paris. She is obsessed with books, candy, stealing, and magic (or at least saying presto). Her main competition is a man known as Monsieur. And the police enlist her help to catch other crooks rather than spending much time trying to capture her. These elements add fun to the book.
For all that, the book never really hooked me. I appreciated it more as the cast of characters expanded and the setting filled out. Bandette's idiosyncrasies give the book most of its personality. It is wonderful for the silliness that she brings. But she is a bit too flighty for me.
The art is good. It has a cartoonish style that might appeal more to younger readers. This fits the book perfectly since Bandette is a teenager and runs around with a band of urchins. Plus, the lighter art style meshes well with the tone of the book.
Definitely pick this up if you're looking for something offbeat and fun.
For all that, the book never really hooked me. I appreciated it more as the cast of characters expanded and the setting filled out. Bandette's idiosyncrasies give the book most of its personality. It is wonderful for the silliness that she brings. But she is a bit too flighty for me.
The art is good. It has a cartoonish style that might appeal more to younger readers. This fits the book perfectly since Bandette is a teenager and runs around with a band of urchins. Plus, the lighter art style meshes well with the tone of the book.
Definitely pick this up if you're looking for something offbeat and fun.
June 3, 2016
I finished this book with a, "meh," kind of feeling. It was O.K but not what I was expecting. There was parts that I could see the appeal in, but for the most part it fell flat. It wasn't what I would call volume 1 material. This was because,
1) I didn't like the main character, Bandette
2) The story gave no background
3) I didn't like Bandette
I think getting to know the main character is really important in the first volume, and hopefully liking them. But, for me Bandette seem self-absorbed, and un-relatable. Maybe if I knew a little more about her I could understand her, but this story was mostly action and focused on the secondary characters. So, I don't feel inclined to continue with this series because I wasn't fond of our "heroine" or the story itself.
1) I didn't like the main character, Bandette
2) The story gave no background
3) I didn't like Bandette
I think getting to know the main character is really important in the first volume, and hopefully liking them. But, for me Bandette seem self-absorbed, and un-relatable. Maybe if I knew a little more about her I could understand her, but this story was mostly action and focused on the secondary characters. So, I don't feel inclined to continue with this series because I wasn't fond of our "heroine" or the story itself.
July 28, 2015
Part of me feels like I should have liked this more than I did. Full-color, superhero/French-style Tintinesque heisty stylized hero story, I think I was even the person who asked our library system to purchase this in the first place.
But in the crowded field of redhead femaleish gumshoe-types (Harriet the Spy! Jason Little's Bee!), The Adventures of Superhero Girl won my heart. And this left me feeling flat.
But in the crowded field of redhead femaleish gumshoe-types (Harriet the Spy! Jason Little's Bee!), The Adventures of Superhero Girl won my heart. And this left me feeling flat.
December 22, 2018
A simple, fun and entertaining story with a charming art style.
November 10, 2014
Von der Qualität dieses Web-Comics bin ich vollkommen überrascht. Warum habe ich geglaubt, dass Web-Comics zeichnerisch eher weniger ansprechend sind? Tobins BANDETTE ist toll gezeichnet und in gewisser Weise vergleichbar mit "Die fabelhafte Welt der Amelie":
BANDETTE ist unkonventionell, charmant und setzte sich über übliche Genregrenzen mit spielerischer Leichtigkeit hinweg. Ein "Wohlfühlcomic" - und das ist in keiner Weise abwertend zu verstehen! BANDETTE hat etwas kindlich Naives, und diese Qualität findet sich in heutigen Comics viel zu selten. Von Superman & Co. ist sie genauso weit entfernt wie von Donald Duck.
Wunderbar eigensinnig, eigenartig und einzigartig: Presto!
BANDETTE ist unkonventionell, charmant und setzte sich über übliche Genregrenzen mit spielerischer Leichtigkeit hinweg. Ein "Wohlfühlcomic" - und das ist in keiner Weise abwertend zu verstehen! BANDETTE hat etwas kindlich Naives, und diese Qualität findet sich in heutigen Comics viel zu selten. Von Superman & Co. ist sie genauso weit entfernt wie von Donald Duck.
Wunderbar eigensinnig, eigenartig und einzigartig: Presto!
May 25, 2016
I thought the art was lovely but the story too random and full of fluff. It just wasn't for me.
January 12, 2024
I really enjoyed my time reading this graphic novel. Bandette is such a fun character- confident, cunning, and completely herself. The art style hearkened back to classic comic books without dating itself, and it represents Bandette's characterization well.This is a wonderfully wholesome homage to Detective Comics-esque comics. I can't wait to read her next adventure.
February 11, 2014
Bandette is a great comic. Light-hearted and full of fun it’s a breath of fresh air in a world of super serious post-modern comics. Bandette is a thief. She bounces around rooftops, fights with agility, all while staying one step ahead of her opponents and the law. She yells out her trademark ‘Presto!’ with a joy that seems to elude most modern comics.
She steals but isn’t above helping those in need, or assisting the law. She even helps her nemesis on the police force, Inspector Belgique, to stop a bank robbery with hostages. Her criminal opponent in Monsieur, and there is a sword-wielding criminal named Matadori. Whether these are all actually enemies or just good-natured friends who occasionally fight for fun is unclear (and really doesn’t matter). Bandette has a whole troupe of orphans that assist her in her capers. Even the shadow organization that wants to put a stop to Bandette can’t put a damper on this charming heroine.
Art by Colleen Coover has a cool retro 1960s vibe and is just fabulous. The story takes place in Paris, and has the feel of the New Wave film movement of that time. I really enjoyed this book and hope to see more of Bandette. Very recommended.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this very fun graphic novel.
She steals but isn’t above helping those in need, or assisting the law. She even helps her nemesis on the police force, Inspector Belgique, to stop a bank robbery with hostages. Her criminal opponent in Monsieur, and there is a sword-wielding criminal named Matadori. Whether these are all actually enemies or just good-natured friends who occasionally fight for fun is unclear (and really doesn’t matter). Bandette has a whole troupe of orphans that assist her in her capers. Even the shadow organization that wants to put a stop to Bandette can’t put a damper on this charming heroine.
Art by Colleen Coover has a cool retro 1960s vibe and is just fabulous. The story takes place in Paris, and has the feel of the New Wave film movement of that time. I really enjoyed this book and hope to see more of Bandette. Very recommended.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this very fun graphic novel.
August 7, 2023
I've always been a fan of Coover's fun art style, and Tobin is a good storyteller. This book knocks it out of the park! Bandette is an irrepressible Parisian teenage master thief with the proverbial heart of gold and an affinity for first editions of good books. The police love to hate her but sometimes need her help. Her rival "Monsieur" wants to save her life, even though she's after his reputation as the world's greatest thief. The ballerinas and street urchins just want to help. And poor Daniel! Will his heart belong to the mysterious Bandette forever? This book has a retro, French/Belgian adventure comics feel, like Tintin, but completely fresh. Keep your eye out for the female matador!
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March 14, 2017Charming crime capers set in a pastel France with the same charm as old cartoons or even Ghibli Europe, as Bandette uses misdirection and unlikely allies to pull off grand gentlewoman thefts in between teaming up with a long-suffering Lestrade type to foil more sinister offences. Though I did keep getting thrown by the way the plucky teen heroine of an essentially all-ages story had a face so reminiscent of one of the leads in another Coover-drawn series, the utterly filthy Small Favors.
January 2, 2016
This is a wonderful graphic novel that bursts forth like a ray of sunshine through the gloom of modern comic books. It is buoyant, irreverent and ingenious. Actions are always benevolent and affirming in this story of a thief with a heart of gold. I give this digitally produced work my highest recommendation.
May 21, 2017
Bandette is to professional thieves what Nancy Drew is to Private Investigators. She's witty, skilled, mysterious, and somehow, oddly normal. Despite her occupation she's obviously good-hearted and appreciative of the (well researched and recognizable) pieces she steals. The minimal color palette gives this a 50's feel while making it oh-so-readable, and the short stories at the end allow us to stay in the universe but get to know some of the other recurring characters.
The real treasure in this haul though is the appendix, if you will, that Tobin has put together of how he draws his graphic novels and brings Bandette from a simple sketch to life, sharing such details as what programs he uses and step by step images. It's such a gift to anyone wanting to do graphic novels, computer design, animation, etc. that he's earned big kudos with this reader, and good karma in his future.
The real treasure in this haul though is the appendix, if you will, that Tobin has put together of how he draws his graphic novels and brings Bandette from a simple sketch to life, sharing such details as what programs he uses and step by step images. It's such a gift to anyone wanting to do graphic novels, computer design, animation, etc. that he's earned big kudos with this reader, and good karma in his future.
June 13, 2018
A first volume that actually makes me want to read the other two installments! The story and characters are very fun, and the thieving quest, while not necessarily based in the most original motivations, sounds like so much fun to continue with. Art theft, evil organizations, and quirky characters make this a quick and enjoyable interlude read.
I'm putting in a library request for the other two volumes as I write this, which is very rare for me to do after reading any first installment of a graphic novel.
I'm putting in a library request for the other two volumes as I write this, which is very rare for me to do after reading any first installment of a graphic novel.
February 19, 2019
Such a wild, hilarious and quirky story featuring one of the most adorable chaotic good-ish antiheroes the world has ever seen. Also featuring an impressive number of doggos AND a cat, so all in all it is a fabulous read! Also loved the francophile elements of this since it very much reads like an homage to the BDes.
August 29, 2023
Quirky, face-paced read, heavy on the witty banter.
June 23, 2016
Forever in search of scandal, lost paintings, and the gentle teasing of a romantic interest, Bandette of BANDETTE is a freight train of artless ingénue and raw compulsion. She finds purpose in the purposeless and defines herself more by what can never happen (or go wrong) than by what can (or does). Bandette, to a point, is less of a character than she is a caricature: everything is fun and everything is great as long as she believes it to be so.
The extravagant optimism of BANDETTE is grating. However, this winding tale of a French teen and her crew of homeless youths builds its momentum the good 'ol fashioned way: stealing prized possessions from bourgeois socialites and then returning home to binge on a bowl of candy bars.
There isn't much to this comic. Bandette is a tease. She fends off an assassin with rudimentary puns and dodges guard dogs with a curtsey and a comical "tut-tut." She kisses her non-boyfriend Daniel on the cheek to assuage his worries and cackles when local police inspector, B.D. Belgique, curses her out ten times over. Bandette is a whirlwind of, I really couldn't care less.
To the comic's detriment, then, is how the story evolves to include multiple threats on Bandette's life from a social-welfare magnate and shady art collector (who else?). The young thief brushes off the impending danger as she would any other worry (with laughter), and proposes making a game of it by teaming up with another local burglar to pilfer her foe into submission.
Could be fun, one supposes. Except, it's not . . . because even with the scent of murder lingering in the narrative, the actual risk to happy-go-lucky Bandette and her friends is totally negligible. The stakes are no different than before. Nothing has changed.
Elsewhere, Coover's art in BANDETTE is a fashionable array of limited coloring of maximum utility. The number (and variation) of primary colors in a panel are often limited, with two or three elements popping, nudging the reader along. The overall aesthetic is simple but effective, particularly because Coover's lines/inks are equally simple. The result is such that visually, this comic is far more clever than it is arresting, but that doesn't mean the final product lacks impact. Indeed, BANDETTE may have a flashy, over-the-top main character, but its art no doubt thrives on simplicity.
Another misfortune, then, is how the comic so often gets in its own way. To be fair, there are occasions when readers are treated to dash of punk philosophy ("If there is not folly in the world, then the world itself is folly. You must understand that mistakes are not always regrets."). However, the simple truth is that Bandette talks way too much. There is a golden-age brand of devilish flamboyance associated with characters such as this -- characters who prefer twisted rhetorical flairs and idiotic nonsequiturs as opposed to calling it like it is (or just plain shutting up). And yet, as it has been in the past, so it is now: the overwriting slows the action to a crawl, and what is meant to be roguish and clever instead peels away the book's spontaneity bit by bit. (Why waste four whole pages arguing with an inferior opponent? Just kick their butt and move on.)
This book is lighthearted fun with periodically charming execution. The impulsive inclination of its lead character seems nonetheless a good metaphor for how BANDETTE rolls to the finish line: "I am Bandette! And so, our fight is uneven."
The extravagant optimism of BANDETTE is grating. However, this winding tale of a French teen and her crew of homeless youths builds its momentum the good 'ol fashioned way: stealing prized possessions from bourgeois socialites and then returning home to binge on a bowl of candy bars.
There isn't much to this comic. Bandette is a tease. She fends off an assassin with rudimentary puns and dodges guard dogs with a curtsey and a comical "tut-tut." She kisses her non-boyfriend Daniel on the cheek to assuage his worries and cackles when local police inspector, B.D. Belgique, curses her out ten times over. Bandette is a whirlwind of, I really couldn't care less.
To the comic's detriment, then, is how the story evolves to include multiple threats on Bandette's life from a social-welfare magnate and shady art collector (who else?). The young thief brushes off the impending danger as she would any other worry (with laughter), and proposes making a game of it by teaming up with another local burglar to pilfer her foe into submission.
Could be fun, one supposes. Except, it's not . . . because even with the scent of murder lingering in the narrative, the actual risk to happy-go-lucky Bandette and her friends is totally negligible. The stakes are no different than before. Nothing has changed.
Elsewhere, Coover's art in BANDETTE is a fashionable array of limited coloring of maximum utility. The number (and variation) of primary colors in a panel are often limited, with two or three elements popping, nudging the reader along. The overall aesthetic is simple but effective, particularly because Coover's lines/inks are equally simple. The result is such that visually, this comic is far more clever than it is arresting, but that doesn't mean the final product lacks impact. Indeed, BANDETTE may have a flashy, over-the-top main character, but its art no doubt thrives on simplicity.
Another misfortune, then, is how the comic so often gets in its own way. To be fair, there are occasions when readers are treated to dash of punk philosophy ("If there is not folly in the world, then the world itself is folly. You must understand that mistakes are not always regrets."). However, the simple truth is that Bandette talks way too much. There is a golden-age brand of devilish flamboyance associated with characters such as this -- characters who prefer twisted rhetorical flairs and idiotic nonsequiturs as opposed to calling it like it is (or just plain shutting up). And yet, as it has been in the past, so it is now: the overwriting slows the action to a crawl, and what is meant to be roguish and clever instead peels away the book's spontaneity bit by bit. (Why waste four whole pages arguing with an inferior opponent? Just kick their butt and move on.)
This book is lighthearted fun with periodically charming execution. The impulsive inclination of its lead character seems nonetheless a good metaphor for how BANDETTE rolls to the finish line: "I am Bandette! And so, our fight is uneven."
June 2, 2015
Charming and light!
I really enjoyed this series, I saw this series at SDCC in 2013 (I think) and immediately the art captured me. I've never read anything from both Tobin or Coover so I did not know what I was going into. What I found is a fun tale that's simple and charming and does not take itself seriously. It's really light and fun and a perfect palate cleanser from all the dark and dreary books that little the creator owned comic book landscape:
World: Colourful, whimsical, bright and full of charm. I will start with the art, Coover is amazing, her colors the framing her line work and character designs are so very very charming (I really want to own a piece of her art after reading this first arc). Just the cover will tell you that her art is absolutely lovely. In terms of world building there is a little but it is fairly minimal. I don't know why, but I get a really strong Sunday funnies vibe with the world (and the writing). The world is not only there as backdrop, but it's not really all that important, it's there to serve the story. It's gorgeous cause of the art, but narrative wise it's just there.
Story: Simplistic but also exciting. I can't really express the writing, it feels like a Sunday funny with it's simple story and structure. Good is good, bad is bad, nothing is taken serious, there are not huge ups and downs in terms of drama it's like eating a light salad. I don't know if that makes any sense, but yeah...it's light and fun and crisp and perfect when you want just light. As I said, the story is basic, nothing is serious, it's just fun and sometimes that's all you want. The art and the story work well together to create a wonderfully basic but fun tale.
Characters: I can't say there is any real character development in the book. The characters are pretty much come fully formed the moment they show up in the book. However, that's not a bad thing. As I said throughout the review, it's light, it's charming, it's a fun read, that goes for the characters also. Bandette is charming and fun, she's a very cute and likable character. Just read the book!
Fun and light. This is exactly what I needed after reading all the doom and gloom that is in comic books these days. I can't explain why I liked it so much (except for the art...the art I can explain, it's absolutely gorgeous) but I just do. Give it a try, you'll love how light and fun it is!
Onward to the next book!
I really enjoyed this series, I saw this series at SDCC in 2013 (I think) and immediately the art captured me. I've never read anything from both Tobin or Coover so I did not know what I was going into. What I found is a fun tale that's simple and charming and does not take itself seriously. It's really light and fun and a perfect palate cleanser from all the dark and dreary books that little the creator owned comic book landscape:
World: Colourful, whimsical, bright and full of charm. I will start with the art, Coover is amazing, her colors the framing her line work and character designs are so very very charming (I really want to own a piece of her art after reading this first arc). Just the cover will tell you that her art is absolutely lovely. In terms of world building there is a little but it is fairly minimal. I don't know why, but I get a really strong Sunday funnies vibe with the world (and the writing). The world is not only there as backdrop, but it's not really all that important, it's there to serve the story. It's gorgeous cause of the art, but narrative wise it's just there.
Story: Simplistic but also exciting. I can't really express the writing, it feels like a Sunday funny with it's simple story and structure. Good is good, bad is bad, nothing is taken serious, there are not huge ups and downs in terms of drama it's like eating a light salad. I don't know if that makes any sense, but yeah...it's light and fun and crisp and perfect when you want just light. As I said, the story is basic, nothing is serious, it's just fun and sometimes that's all you want. The art and the story work well together to create a wonderfully basic but fun tale.
Characters: I can't say there is any real character development in the book. The characters are pretty much come fully formed the moment they show up in the book. However, that's not a bad thing. As I said throughout the review, it's light, it's charming, it's a fun read, that goes for the characters also. Bandette is charming and fun, she's a very cute and likable character. Just read the book!
Fun and light. This is exactly what I needed after reading all the doom and gloom that is in comic books these days. I can't explain why I liked it so much (except for the art...the art I can explain, it's absolutely gorgeous) but I just do. Give it a try, you'll love how light and fun it is!
Onward to the next book!
October 8, 2013
Cute and cheeky, this book was a fun read. It's imbued with french style and culture as well as lots of silly jokes and quips. Bandette is a thief who's kind of a good guy, she only steals from those she deems evil enough such as weapons dealers or criminal organizations. Her world is built up quickly and easily, and she has a slew of neighborhood friends who help her out whenever she needs it (and she needs it often!). She even has a little dog named Pimento who runs along with her. Of course, a masked crusader wouldn't be complete without a rival of some sort, and that's Monsieur, another masked thief who has beaten Bandette to quite a few choice pieces. Rounding out the story in this volume is a criminal organization FINIS, which has plans to assassinate Bandette!
I'd recommend this series to kids and adults alike, it's reminiscent of The Princess Bride or 60's era Batman with Adam West.
I received a digital galley of this title through Netgalley.
I'd recommend this series to kids and adults alike, it's reminiscent of The Princess Bride or 60's era Batman with Adam West.
I received a digital galley of this title through Netgalley.
September 26, 2013
Bandette is a fun, charming Robin Hood-esque criminal who is as much a bane to the police as to the criminals she sometimes helps them apprehend. Bandette is a cat burglar with a love for art and literature but her heart lies with her "urchins," various groups of young people within the city whom she can summon to her aid as the perfect distractions. Everyone but the bad guys and the inspector she continuously foils loves Bandette, including the handsome Danny, whom she elegantly strings along.
This was a cute and campy read that continuously brought a smile to my face. Her banter was cute and I especially appreciated the technical pages at the end describing the process from word to image.
This was a cute and campy read that continuously brought a smile to my face. Her banter was cute and I especially appreciated the technical pages at the end describing the process from word to image.
April 15, 2015
This is a fun comic that is a bit of an intentionally cheesy heist comic, complete with a gang of "urchin" helpers for the sassy master thief Bandette. The layouts are standard pages of flush rectangles, but I love the bright colorful art, and the character that the watercolors impart to the story. I'll likely read more when I'm in the mood for light, bright fare.
P.S. I read the comic in its English translation, and as someone who studied abroad in France, it seemed like, every once in a while, there was a stilted line of translation, that was literally correct, but sounded awkward.
P.S. I read the comic in its English translation, and as someone who studied abroad in France, it seemed like, every once in a while, there was a stilted line of translation, that was literally correct, but sounded awkward.
September 1, 2017
How much do I love love love Bandette? It's such a delightful blend of girl detectives, daring heists and madcap French adventures. I'd read the digital versions of this series, but I loved this edition, especially being able to read all the urchin side stories together and the process-y bits. Presto! Formidable!
December 22, 2015
Bandette, you are the most sprightly, delightful heroine I've come across in a long time. Reader, if you enjoy capers, thieves with hearts of gold, clever literary & art historical references, and feats of derring-do, all held together with self-assured, witty dialogue, Bandette is for you. Presto!, indeed!
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