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geekwayne's review
5.0
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.
erincataldi's review
3.0
The cover of this graphic novel inspired me to pick it up, it's truly eye catching! I was able to read it in it's entirety over my lunch hour. Bandette is the story of a masked thief (I'm assuming she's in her teens or early twenties, her age is never referenced) who enjoys stealing priceless treasures, helping catch bad guys, and hanging with her buddies and dog. Her rivals and enemies are memorable and her banter with them is beyond witty. Whenever she is outnumbered or in a tight spot all Bandette has to do is press her "panic button" and her friends (ballerinas, baseball players, and her "boyfriend" the thai delivery man with the sweet vespa) come running. It's a cute, light hearted read that is geared for teens but younger kids may enjoy as well (light swearing is the only "bad thing"). I look forward to checking more of these humorous volumes as they're published. Truly refreshing.
suspiciouspinecone's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Charming, the art is wonderful.
kice7788's review
1.0
This was a DNF...couldnt finish it because I just didnt like the story line and the graphics were to harsh for me.
christajls's review
This review originally posted at The Improbable Chuck: Canucks on Comics
Bandette hit my radar this year when it was nominated for an Eisner award. It was a bright and lively digital comic that was popping up left, right and centre. So when I saw it was going to be released in a printed collection I knew this was my opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.
This comic is written in the French style. I haven’t read too many French comics before now but the ones I have read I’ve really enjoyed. I like the quirky art and the humorous story telling and in this sense Bandette fits right in. This may be a comic about a vigilante but it has none of the dark and angsty overtones that comics like Batman are known for. In fact quite the opposite, this comic is the furthest thing from dark. Instead it’s lighthearted and funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Bandette is actually quite campy – there’s a lot of witty one liners and banter between Bandette and her foes. At one point “knockout spray” was used, reminding me of the old Adam West Batman show.
The story moves along quickly, shoving you right into the action. Bandette is always on the run – both from danger and towards it. In a short amount of time you meet her arch nemesis – Monsieur, as well as organized crime ring that wants to bring her down. I liked how you were always sure Bandette was going to come out alright but you were never entirely sure how she was going to pull it off. She’s definitely one for thinking on her feet and using resources (like her friends) to their full potential.
Overall this is a fun, all ages comics that you should read when you’re looking for something light, fast paced and need a few laughs.
*side note: My advanced copy was really blurry and hard to read and sometimes I felt like I was missing something. This most likely won’t be a problem for the print so chances are this comic will be ever better in it’s final form!
Bandette hit my radar this year when it was nominated for an Eisner award. It was a bright and lively digital comic that was popping up left, right and centre. So when I saw it was going to be released in a printed collection I knew this was my opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.
This comic is written in the French style. I haven’t read too many French comics before now but the ones I have read I’ve really enjoyed. I like the quirky art and the humorous story telling and in this sense Bandette fits right in. This may be a comic about a vigilante but it has none of the dark and angsty overtones that comics like Batman are known for. In fact quite the opposite, this comic is the furthest thing from dark. Instead it’s lighthearted and funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Bandette is actually quite campy – there’s a lot of witty one liners and banter between Bandette and her foes. At one point “knockout spray” was used, reminding me of the old Adam West Batman show.
The story moves along quickly, shoving you right into the action. Bandette is always on the run – both from danger and towards it. In a short amount of time you meet her arch nemesis – Monsieur, as well as organized crime ring that wants to bring her down. I liked how you were always sure Bandette was going to come out alright but you were never entirely sure how she was going to pull it off. She’s definitely one for thinking on her feet and using resources (like her friends) to their full potential.
Overall this is a fun, all ages comics that you should read when you’re looking for something light, fast paced and need a few laughs.
*side note: My advanced copy was really blurry and hard to read and sometimes I felt like I was missing something. This most likely won’t be a problem for the print so chances are this comic will be ever better in it’s final form!
belle_fiction's review
4.0
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!