deirdreanais's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. I mean, how could I not, since it's a heist/vendetta tale about a multigenerational crew of Black women? Roxane Gay shows that she knows how to write a successful comic script. It leverages the interest of genre readers and the strength of comics (heists, vendettas, snippy dialogue), but it also includes allusions to heftier themes while still being fun. For instance, the tension between generations, and one generation sacrificing and doing "menial" or questionable work for the "success" of later generations, is portrayed especially between Celia and her grandmother. The nuance that the main detective chasing the Banks women is a Latina did not escape me, especially because people of color, especially women of color, have intentionally been pitted against each other, and Latinx employees, who are closer to honorary white status, work in significant proportion in law enforcement and military. In general I enjoy Ming Doyle's art, and it was solid, but nothing special for me in this volume. I also found it irksome that the printed size of pages was, in my opinion, unnecessarily large, which contributed to the panels looking a bit sparse. (I'm not sure if these dimensions are just the preferred ones for TKO, since it is the first book from the publisher that I think I have read.)
jenuinereads's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't bad. I just feel the character development and relationships didn't get the depth they needed for this story. Like you kind of understand the treadmill fiction but not why or how it got that bad (specifically between grandmother and granddaughter).
Even tho some, not all, sections had dates, it was hard for me to get a feeling of the pacing of the present-day story.
Overall, I didn't hate the story but it definitely felt like a lot of detail or content was missing.
*****Semi spoiler but not really*****
Also, I don't know how a granddaughter who didn't know the full story of how her grandfather died, a very strained relationship with her grandma (and Mom honestly but that's a parent/child relationship), and no established relationship with her grandfather, suddenly felt so emboldened to try and kill the guy who caused it (who deserved it honestly).
Even tho some, not all, sections had dates, it was hard for me to get a feeling of the pacing of the present-day story.
Overall, I didn't hate the story but it definitely felt like a lot of detail or content was missing.
*****Semi spoiler but not really*****
Also, I don't know how a granddaughter who didn't know the full story of how her grandfather died, a very strained relationship with her grandma (and Mom honestly but that's a parent/child relationship), and no established relationship with her grandfather, suddenly felt so emboldened to try and kill the guy who caused it (who deserved it honestly).
rosasparks's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third graphic novel I've read from Gay and let me tell you, sis can write the hell out of a graphic novel! Her graphic novels are the perfect balance for people who enjoy comics and graphic novels but need a little extra text. While The Banks isn't too text heavy, Gay makes sure all her points and story is understood!
OK, so the story. A generation of smart, slick and successful Robin Hood types who make a living of robbing mostly white rich and undeserving people. The grandfather who is infamously known for his work gets locked up not once but twice for refusing to snitch. Unfortunately, not snitching isn't enough because the person who forced him to do the job still wants his product back and unfortunately granddad is out of jail and just wants to retire and enjoy his family. This causes the first conflict and murder. Years later, grandmother, mother and granddaughter/daughter try to build a safe life for their daughter/granddaughter. She grows up to work in finance and she's sharp as a tack.
Revenge is sweeter when it's served and that's what this family plans to do. It's a story of forgiveness, love, revenge and using what you got to get what you want.
OK, so the story. A generation of smart, slick and successful Robin Hood types who make a living of robbing mostly white rich and undeserving people. The grandfather who is infamously known for his work gets locked up not once but twice for refusing to snitch. Unfortunately, not snitching isn't enough because the person who forced him to do the job still wants his product back and unfortunately granddad is out of jail and just wants to retire and enjoy his family. This causes the first conflict and murder. Years later, grandmother, mother and granddaughter/daughter try to build a safe life for their daughter/granddaughter. She grows up to work in finance and she's sharp as a tack.
Revenge is sweeter when it's served and that's what this family plans to do. It's a story of forgiveness, love, revenge and using what you got to get what you want.
carrienation76's review against another edition
5.0
Look... Roxane Gay could sell a scrapbook of used makeup remover wipes and I would give it five stars. But this collection deserves more hype --- the illustrations are phenomenal! The storyline is pretty basic but the wrapper is new - three badass generations of women robbing garbage whyt men? Yes, please! Several funny lines in this made me snort. Overall, I dig this.
snchard's review against another edition
3.0
Very fun. Dialogue was a little clunky, a bit too much text for what I usually like in a comic. Art was lovely. Felt like it would make a great movie heist, I would absolutely watch an adaptation of this on a screen.
laurensalisbury's review against another edition
4.0
Strong, multigenerational Black women's revenge heist. What more do you need really?
Parts of this felt one dimensional or like it was playing into the genre but honestly that isn't a problem for me. I got exactly what I wanted out of this read.
Parts of this felt one dimensional or like it was playing into the genre but honestly that isn't a problem for me. I got exactly what I wanted out of this read.
eraofkara's review against another edition
3.0
Super disappointed. I love Roxane Gay's work and I was excited to read a story about an intergenerational trio of black women super thieves, but this was super stodgy.
bog_elfin's review against another edition
I love graphic novels, and this one didn't dissapoint. It felt like an old school comic, but with well-rounded women of color.
probably_reading_right_now's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Banks is a really quick read I really got into it. It’s a look into a family of professional thieves told through the POV of the three generations of women. Following past, and present you see each woman, how they got to where they are, and what motivates them. I really recommend this if you want a fun, exciting read.