Colleen Coover

I picked this up utterly by chance, because it was on a display at the library and the bright red cover looked so stylishly appealing. I regret that because it was unplanned, I left it to the very last of the books I read from that visit.

Bandette in Presto! is a fun, light-hearted comic book, very stylishly drawn. There isn't much depth to it, but there also isn't a lot of violence. The story is all about indulging in the pure fun of being naughty - the arguments and matched-wits with a show more rival, the cunning plans and successful heists, the thrilling risk of nearly being caught. I tried several Squirrel Girl books because I wanted a fun, somewhat goofy story and was disappointed - Bandette gives me exactly what I want! I suspect it's the influence of bandes-dessinées rather than American superheroes that makes all the difference for me.

I didn't care as much for the extra comics at the end, drawn by people who aren't Colleen Coover. Some of them were quite nice and fun stories, but for the most part they didn't appeal to me as much as the main story of Bandette, and definitely I prefer Colleen's art. The additional extras, about how Paul Tobin does the writing and how Colleen Coover creates the art, were very nice, though, and I enjoyed seeing a little of their processes. show less

I love Bandette and her joie de vivre. I'm ever so happy when a new adventure of hers makes its way into my hands.

The Six Finger Secret

In the main story, Bandette is one of six thieves trying to get their hands on the painting know as "The Six Finger Secret," which has been used for centuries to pass along secret messages hidden in the many small paintings within the painting. (The image is based on the real painting by Pierre Subleyras entitled "The Artist's Studio.") The action and comedy show more is nonstop, and many members of the vast cast get some quality time and/or development even amidst the introduction of many new characters. (This is not a good jumping-on point for new readers!)

Fun in all the ways that make Bandette so addictive!

Urchin Stories: Freckles in "No Bandette"

Bandette is not often denied that which she wants (usually something sweet), and it's funny to see one of her street agents, Freckles, tell her, "No," again and again.

Monsieur in "Souvenirs"

The gentleman thief -- Bandette's rival/comrade -- gets to have a gentlemanly fling back in the '60s/'70s while making off with a treasure.

Don't Speak Her Name

This illustrated text story is actually my favorite part of the book. An amateur artist is devastated to be victimized by Bandette when she steals all the paintings out his tiny little studio. His grief quikly turns to anger, and he sets out to get revenge. The ending is obvious, but oh so effective.

FOR REFERENCE:

This volume collects issues fourteen through eighteen of the Monkeybrain comic book series Bandette.

Contents: Previously -- Bandette in "The Six Finger Secret" / Paul Tobin, writer; Colleen Coover, illustrator -- Urchin Stories: Freckles in "No Bandette" / Paul Tobin, writer; Sarah Burrini, illustrator -- Urchin Stories: Monsieur in "Souvenirs" / Colleen Coover, writer and illustrator -- Don't Speak Her Name / Paul Tobin, writer; Colleen Coover, illustrator -- What's Bandette Stolen Now? / Colleen Coover, writer; Colleen Coover and Pierre Subleyras, illustrators -- Special Thanks -- About the Authors show less

I didn't expect to like this. I picked it up because books that are not the standard size appeal to me, and this one had a fun pop-art cover. The blurb on the back seemed a little... cliché, but had promise. I expected a kind of sci-fi mystery, about humanity and emotions and twins and connection.

What I got was a kind of vignette about Annah, an emotionally manipulative and stunted young women who might or might not be crazy, told through the eyes of those who love her and those who barely show more know her. And I loved it.

The art is standard; no complaints. I liked the black-and-white and gingerbread palate, and the fact that there are no easy answers. Chili's little concluding speech, where she recounts some of Annah's likes and dislikes, and that she's a good kisser (and totally glosses over the fact that she might or might not have a twin who was extracted from her brain when she was a child) and says that that's "All she knows about Annah" is sublime. show less

The acrobatic, charming, and whimsical Bandette is back for continued capers. This book picks up where the last one left off, providing a quick one-page recap of the previous title before launching into the conclusion of that story. A very deadly foe has Bandette in his sights, but the teen-aged costumed thief is quick on her toes and has a variety of helpers on her side. The plotline started in the last book is completely wrapped up here, yet a third volume of the Bandette series exists show more and, after reading this one, I'm interested in continuing the series.

Once again, Paul Tobin's dialogue is quick and witty while Colleen Coover's artwork is expressive and captivating. The book ends with a number of shorts containing further adventures of Bandette and her band of urchins. A longer prose story gives the reader more insight into the character of Margot, helping to make sense of her part in the larger arc. This particular story starts out dark and noir like a novel starring Phillip Marlowe but then slowly grows into a more light-hearted and cheery tale as Bandette appears on the scene.

Like with the previous title in this series, supplemental materials include a photographic look at some of the historic items stolen by Bandette and Monsieur in this book. There's also a behind-the-scene look at the process of making this comic with short essays by both the author and the illustrator. show less