The Grande Odalisque

By Jérôme Mulot, Florent Ruppert and Bastien Vivès. Published by Fantagraphics.

Hardcover, 128 pages, Colour, 2021. 

In this graphic novel, two women art thieves bring in a third wheel for their biggest caper yet.

Alex and Carole, friends since childhood, are now (literal) partners in crime. But the heist - to steal the Ingres painting The Grande Odalisque from the Louvre in Paris - is too much for the duo to handle, so they bring in Clarence, a bureaucrat's son with a price on his head by a Mexican drug cartel and, more importantly, an arms dealer. Next is Sam, a stunt motorcyclist and boxer by trade, who proves trigger happy with tranquilizer darts. Using soda can smoke bombs, rocket launchers, and hang gliders, Alex, Carole, and Sam set off a set of circumstances that results in a battle with the French Special Forces - and their partnership, which was on the rocks, will never be the same again. Ruppert and Mulot, two of the most innovative comic creators in the world, team up with multiple Angouleme prize winner Bastien Vives to bring you this impossibly funny, violent, and sexy action-packed thriller.

"If you like comics, and you're also in need of some serious, escapist fun, I suggest that you dive straight into The Grande Odalisque." — The Guardian

"Readers will devour this action-packed, wildly sexy, witty, and ultra-cool crime story built around the complicated relationship between three charismatic women." — Booklist (Starred Review)

"Mixing top-notch thrills with introspective character study, this adventure never takes itself too seriously. It's a delicious caper with all the trimmings." — Publishers Weekly

"A fun, sexy crime story that's incredibly entertaining and full of jaw-dropping gorgeous art." — Panel Patter

"Recommended for art history lovers, crime novel fans, Francophiles, and anyone who wants to see a trio of professional criminals kick butt indiscriminately." — Shelf Awareness