The Postman From Space: The Biker Bandits

In this second instalment of Perreault’s “Postman from Space” graphic novel series, model employee postman Bob is tasked with delivering a very special letter to a very important recipient. Before leaving, Bob is asked to show the ropes to a new trainee, Marcelle, who not only follows the rules but has the manual memorized. After Bob and Marcelle arrive at their destination to find only a crater where the building should be, they set off in search of the letter’s new destination. Along the way, they meet a hitchhiker, take a few detours, and find themselves the target of a gang of biker thieves who want to get their hands on that letter.

The story here is simple but fun; a humorless but dedicated employee is consistently foiled in his mission to get the job done. There is also a lovely message about trusting people and seeing the good in everyone. When Marcelle convinces Bob to pick up a hitchhiker, Bob’s initial instinct is to mistrust Yolain, the ukulele-playing, small-talking, detour-creating guest. In the end, Yolain saves the day despite Bob’s misgivings.

The artwork is the star of this graphic novel. The details in the settings and backgrounds are full of clever and important details. One brief scene has the mail delivery spacecraft crash landing on a planet made up entirely of ice cream, with upside-down cones for trees, little cherry-shaped aliens, and swirling mounds of soft-serve for mountains. It’s just perfection.

Overall, The Postman From Space: The Biker Bandits is a cute, funny graphic novel that will make a great addition to my school library’s collection. I’ll be looking for Volume 1 and any subsequent sequels!