The Drained Brains Caper

Chicagoland Detective Agency #1

by Trina Robbins, Tyler Page (Illustrator)

Raf knows Megan is trouble from the moment she steps into his mom's pet food store asking for a tarantula. But there's one thing you can count on in weird things happen several times a day.

Megan is a vegetarian, manga-reading haiku writer. She definitely doesn't fit in at Stepford Academy, her new summer school. The other students are happy to be in class. Too happy. And everyone looks and acts exactly alike. That's weird.

Megan is determined to dig into Stepford's secrets, but soon she's in way too deep. Raf may be the only human being she knows who can help. But with zombified students, very mad scientists, and the school psychiatrist on their trail, they're going to need a whole lot more help.

We did say that Chicagoland is weird. . .

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Mystery, Science Fiction, Comics, Childrens, Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Trina Robbins is an American comics artist and writer. She was an early and influential participant in the underground comix movement, and one of the few female artists in underground comix when she started. Her first comics were printed in the East Village Other. She later joined the staff of a feminist underground newspaper It Ain't Me, Babe, with whom she produced the first all-woman comic book titled It Ain't Me Babe. She became increasingly involved in creating outlets for and promoting female comics artists, through projects such as the comics anthology Wimmen's Comix. She was also the penciller on Wonder Woman for a time in the '80s.

Trina has worked on an adaptation of Sax Rohmer's Dope for Eclipse Comics and GoGirl with artist Anne Timmons for Image Comics.

Trina designed Vampirella's costume for Forrest Ackerman and Jim Warren.

In addition to her comics work, Robbins is an author of non-fiction books, including several with an emphasis on the history of women in cartooning.

She is the first of the three "Ladies of the Canyon" in Joni Mitchell's classic song from the album of the same name.

Trina Robbins won a Special Achievement Award from the San Diego Comic Con in 1989 for her work on Strip AIDS U.S.A., a benefit book that she co-edited with Bill Sienkiewicz and Robert Triptow.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, what a huge disappointment. After a great setup, the story descends into cliches and tired storylines. It's a shame, because it starts with a bang: thirteen-year-old Megan bursts into a pet shop and asks to buy a tarantula. The unsuspecting young man at the counter- Raf- informs her that they don't actually sell animals at this pet store, and the foundation of an eventual friendship is laid. Megan is sent to a summer prep school, tellingly named the Stepford Preparatory Academy, and thus begins the descent into mediocrity. OF COURSE the students are being brainwashed and OF COURSE it's because the school cook is drugging the food and OF COURSE she's disguised as the school doctor and principal and OF COURSE there's a talking dog who learned English by watching old Private Eye movies and OF COURSE the boy and girl join forces and defeat the bad guy with a COMPUTER PROGRAM that WIRELESSLY DELETES FILES IN THE HUMAN BRAIN. Bleah bleah bleah.

The art is nice, however. Clean lines and bold inks. This is apparently going to be a series. I hope it gets better.

Note: "Drained brains" isn't even an accurate description of what the villain does to her victims- she actually performs a partial lobotomy and injects sheep genes into their skulls. Which, of course, is scientifically ridiculous. And which, of course, is miraculously reversed when Raf uses his delete program. Ugh. Such sloppy storytelling. And condescending to the book's audience.

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really surprised by this when I opened the pages. I knew absolutely nothing about the author, Trina Robbins or this series. What an eye opener! Trina Robbins has been writing for thirty, yes I said thirty years. Her website is @ http://www.trinarobbins.com/; it is cute and very informative. She has penned a variety of graphic novels; just the covers give you a glimpse into the diversity of her work.
My fingers cramp up just typing the title to this graphic novel: Chicagoland Detective Agency: The Drained Brains Caper. I enjoyed many things about this: the artwork was really good, the dialogue was engaging, the characters were spot on, the plotline was enjoyable and the young adult theme was refreshing. Trina Robbins has put together a very nice graphic novel and one that can be shared with the whole family. I like the fact I can share this with my youngest children and discuss the reading experience. That now a days is difficult as far too many cross lines that don’t need to be crossed.
Here is a bit from the graphic novel itself: “Raf knows Megan is trouble from the moment she steps into his mom's pet food store asking for a tarantula. But there's one thing you can count on in Chicagoland: weird things happen several times a day.
Megan is a vegetarian, manga-reading haiku writer. She definitely doesn't fit in at Stepford Academy, her new summer school. The other students are happy to be in class. Too happy. And everyone looks and acts exactly alike. That's weird.
Megan is determined to dig into Stepford's secrets, but soon she's in way too deep. Raf may be the only human being she knows who can help. But with zombified students, very mad scientists, and the school psychiatrist on their trail, they're going to need a whole lot more help.
We did say that Chicagoland is weird...”
I hope that you give this graphic novel a chance, pick it up, and have some fun that doesn’t come from the DC/Marvel stable. Trina Robbins delivers the total package here and then some.
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[Brian Alvarado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine that you just moved to a new town and had to go to a school that has a strange environment, what would you do?. Well in this fictional graphic novel about mystery, whose title is Chicagoland Detective Agency, The Drained Brains Caper by Trina Robbins and illustrated by Tyler Page, was great, because of of it’s enjoyable illustrations and dialogue, plus it was so enjoyable that it even felt short when I read it.

Megan Yamamura moved recently in the Chicagoland during summer. She met Raf Hernandez, a pet supply store clerk, who also was making a computer program. Also, she became friends with him. Anyway, as she goes to her first day in summer school, she noticed that everyone was acting weird, even the teachers, they seemed too happy. So she was intrigued and wanted to find out what was the secret behind the school. But as she searches, she finds herself captured by Dr. Vorschak, a psychiatrists, also the cook, principal and founder of the Steppford Preparatory Academy, the school Megan goes to. By this, Megan finds out the reason why the students at the school acted weird, it was because Dr. Vorschak wanted a Nobel Prize from making his new Ultra-Teen Transition formula, in which in other words meant to make the students perfect citizens, and by this then he would get rewarded with a Novel Prize. Then, as the doctor starts the procedure to have Megan’s brain change like the other student's brains. The doctor gets distracted by the barking of her testing dog, so during that time, Megan messages Raf for help. Raf finds Megan and stabs the doctor in the leg with a tranquilizer needle, after that Raf frees Megan and on their way out they also saved the testing dog. They discovered that the dog could talk. After this, Megan and the dog got to the top of the building and Raf went to get his computer because he had an idea. After time past there was a whole mob of “hypnotized” students and teachers plus the evil doctor that joined them as well. Then as Raf arrives he shows the doctor his program by hacking the doctor's computer files and deleting them and also, the program also restored the hypnotized minds of the students back to normal, and then they
went back to Raf’s pet supply store and then they got the idea to build their own detective agency, and from then their detective agency was born.

The theme was that you should torture others for you benefit, because the doctor hypnotized the students and staff to make them better citizens and so she could get a Nobel Prize.
One of the conflicts in this book was person vs. society because the doctor as well as the hypnotized students wanted to change meagan into one of them but Megan refused.

For my analysis, the author builds tension and suspense when Megan is captured by Dr. Vorschak and the doctor is going to make some sort of surgery of Megan in order to get Megan think like the other students, to think in a way as a perfect citizen. I personally thought that the doctor was going to get away with it and make Megan think like the other students. But there was a plot twist when Megan texts Raf, and Raf saves her. So with this, my analysis is proved.

In my opinion, I was satisfied by the ending of the book because Megan, Raf, and the testing dog, whose name was Bradley, by the way, unite and create their own detective agency, and also that Raf became the guardian of the abused testing dog, Bradley. I also founded it a bit heartwarming. Then, my favorite part was when Megan and Raf discover that Bradley could talk because I didn't even expected it and it took me by surprise.

I give this book a 4 star rating out of 5 because even though it was great, it had some confusing language and words, but overall I found enjoyable and entertaining as I read it. I would recommend this book to people who like graphic novels and to people who would like to read a quick and entertaining book in their freetime. So have you imagined what would you do if you just moved to a new town and had to go to a school that has a strange environment, Well, Chicagoland detective agency, teaches you a lesson but don’t forget that it’s a new agency that is always ready to serve.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I had a hard time getting started with this book. The first couple pages didn’t jump out and grab me. Then I the book took a shift and started getting good, until I just couldn’t put it down. My favorite character is the dog followed by RAF. The girl is okay but she annoys me at times.

[Paula Lyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a funny, short origin story about 2 kids and a dog who solve crimes. Great for tweens and others looking for a way in to graphic books. Fun!

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

With eco-friendly lifestyles becoming increasingly more visible & popular, it makes good sense for someone to put out a book filled with those themes & similar ones. After all, kids can be into cruelty-free pet shops, animal rescue, & anti-establishment issues too, you know.

Chicagoland #1 follows the adventures of Trina (a free spirited young vegetarian who isn't afraid to speak her mind) & Raf (a computer savvy son of a pet-free supply store) as they attempt to figure out exactly what is wrong with Trina's summer school. Initially Raf is slow to warm up to our haiku creating heroine but he slowly begins to come around as Trina opens up to him about her disastrous school past as well as her creepy new school environment. Little do they know that there's a heinous plot behind the sloppy joe wielding staff members & Stepford Child-esque school children...

Robbins set out to create a comic filled with issues near & dear to her heart. For the most part she succeeds with creating a story that will not only strike a chord in many children's hearts (who hasn't had a teacher who tried to make us conform?) but also show them several issues that need to be addressed. (It'd be fantastic if there were more pet-free stores out there!) The artwork is wonderfully playful & characters such as the adorable Bradley stand out as the highlights of the book.

It's not all fun & games in the book though. While I agree whole-heartedly with many of Robbin's viewpoints, at times those themes seemed to be a little awkwardly placed. There were also points in the book where the character speak seemed to be a little off for kids who are supposed to be in their early teens. I also wish that there were a few links to some kid-friendly sites where kids can learn about some of the issues discussed in the book. But those were somewhat minor complaints & overall this was a decently solid book that should appeal to a wide age group of kids. (I could see my 6 year old nephew totally digging Bradly.) While the book is full of various themes (too many to list here), Robbins manages to make the child aware of them without making them overly horrifying. (This is aimed towards a younger audience, after all.)

In the end, parents can relax in peace, knowing that their kids are not only learning valuable lessons but also reading a book that has no real violence to speak of or objectionable language. Very kid safe, which is becoming a rarity with some of the books out there today.

(ARC provided by NetGalley)

[Skjam! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan Yamamura wants a pet. Unfortunately, the young poet’s (she specializes in haiku) father is allergic to all fur-bearing animals, so she’s thinking maybe a tarantula, which is fuzzy but not furry might be the best bet.

She’s been looking all over her new city of Chicagoland and having no luck when she comes into the pet supply store Raf Hernandez is manning the counter of. The young computer whiz is helping out his mother, but the store’s policy is clear–they sell pet supplies, not animals.

Megan has other problems. One of the reasons her family had to move was because she’d been expelled from her old school (a total overreaction to a minor offense) and she now has to spend the summer at Stepford Academy. The students and teachers there are all smiling zombies, and the meat-laden school lunches (anathema to vegetarian Megan) have unusual effects if overeaten.

Raf is the only person her age she kind of knows in the neighborhood, so she has to turn to him when her father ignores the warning signs that something’s not right at Stepford Academy. (In the tradition of middle-school stories, Mr. Yamamura is totally oblivious to what Megan tells him and only listens to other adults.) The kids are soon joined by Bradley, a talking dog, and must stop the mad scientist, Dr. Vorschak, before she can bring the entire city under her sway.

This is the first volume in the Chicagoland Detective Agency series of children’s graphic novels. Trina Robbins is a long-time comics creator, and her writing here is decent if perhaps a bit shortcut-heavy. There’s not much mystery here, but then the detective agency hasn’t been formed yet. The detective himself doesn’t come in until halfway through, and he just happens to have known what was going on all along.

The city of Chicagoland is about 90% Chicago (it has the El and the Cubs), but presumably isn’t just Chicago so that the creative team can shove any odd buildings or fictional organizations they want in.

There’s some slapstick violence, and Dr. Vorschak engages in unethical animal testing as well as unethical human testing. But in general, this should be suitable for middle-school readers.

Recommended to fans of things like the Scooby-Doo cartoons.

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a digital copy of this book through Netgalley. It looked like a fun little graphic novel and sounded like an amusing premise.

When Megan walks into Raf's pet store he knows she is trouble, she is asking for a pet tarantula afterall. Megan's dad sends her to a exclusive summer prep school where she senses something is not right about the strangely monotonous children there. Will Megan and Raf be able to unravel a devious plot that is set at brainwashing a subset of the juvenile population?

Mainly this book is an intro to Megan, Raf and their talking dog friend. It gets the three set up as the Chicagoland Detective Agency.

There are some great things about this book. It talks about animal rights, prevention of cruelty to animals, and also touches on the value of independence and creativity. So there are definitely some good messages presented here. The illustration was also very good; it is done in kind of an Americanized Manga style and it is easy to follow and conveys the story well. I was never confused about who is who or what was going on.

My biggest complaint with this graphic novel is the dialogue and the plot, both seemed a little second rate to me. The majority of the dialogue is corny and forced sounding, like it fell out of a bad 80's cartoon. I understand that this is a juvenile book, but there are lots of juvenile books out there that are easy to read but don't sound so corny. Also the plot is incredibly predictable and has been done before. Given the premise I was expecting more humor and there is some, but overall the book takes itself pretty seriously.

Overall this is an okay read. It would be good for younger reluctant readers and sends some positive messages. The illustrations are spot on but the story itself is pretty corny and predictable.

[Wandering Librarians · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan Yamamura, anime lover, and writer of haiku, has just moved to Chicagoland and unfortunately for her, is now starting summer school at Stepford Preparatory Academy. Megan knows something strange is going on on her first day: why are all the kids so...weird? Will she be able to find out what's going on at Stepford Prep? Or will she become one of them?

As the name of the school suggests, all the kids were being brainwashed by an evil scientist. Megan is captured, but escapes with the help of Raf, her computer programmer friend. The two manage to destroy the evil scientist's computer program and free all the kids. They also find a super intelligent talking dog, which they free and take home. The three then form the Chicagoland Detective Agency.

I've read a few graphic novels by Trina Robbins, and they're always fine. Some better than others. I love reading her histories of comics. I think that is her strong point, rather than the fictional stories.

I read the first two Chicagoland stories: The Drained Brains Caper and The Maltese Mummy. It looks like the bad guy is the same in each story. She always escapes at the end, and will no doubt keep showing up to cause more mischief.

While neither plot nor dialogue is especially stunning, what I did like was that the fact that Megan's a girl and Raf's a boy played no part whatsoever. Sometimes Megan needs saving, and sometimes Raf needs saving and they work together and help each other out. They have different strengths and weakness. So that was nice.

[Gecky Boz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bountiful Brains

I read this book at NetGalley.com.

This book gets a 3 gnomes and a hat out of 5 gnomes, it's a really fun read and the drawing is well done but sadly the one I read was in black and white it would have definitely would have been a 4 out of 5 if the whole book was in color.

The two main characters are pretty well fleshed out for what's essentially an origin story. Megan's writing in haikus is a nice touch to the dialogue. The villain is great and reminded me of Count Olaf from the A Series of Unfortunate Events books with the way she kept changing her persona.


Megan's new in town and looking for a tarantula but instead she meets Raf at his Mom's pet store. She and Raf become friends and she is definitely the more outgoing one. Megan goes to school at Stepford Academy where everyone is just way too happy and doesn't say anything negative about the school. I really liked the reference to the Stepford wives they threw in there with the naming of the school. One day Megan sees a kid say some weird stuff in class after she shares her lunch with him. So of course she has to figure out why.

So as to not throw out too many spoilers you do indeed find out why the kids are so happy. My favorite character that we get to meet in this volume is Bailey, a talking dog who likes old detective shows.

Overall a fast and fun read that I would recommend to anyone who like zombies or detectives.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: This is a Cybils '10 nominee and required reading for me as a graphic novels panelist.

Honestly from the cover and title I was expecting corny and campy but what I got was an entertaining old-style private eye detective story involving a mad scientist. The plot is similar to that of Brain Camp, though this time it is a summer prep school where the students seem to all be brain washed into achieving. Add our main character, Megan Yamamura. The new kid in town, a vegan, manga reading, haiku writing girl with gusto and this book is a success. Megan carries this book and is an unforgettable character, whom one just wants to meet up with again. She is joined by Raf, a nerdy computer guy and Bradley, a special dog they rescue from an experiment lab. The story covers their first case and determines how they set up the Detective Agency which will be open for business in book 2 advertised on the last page. A funny, silly, "scoobby doo" type mystery.

The art work is fantastic. Done in b/w, at first glance it may disappoint but once you start reading, I realized Megan couldn't have been depicted otherwise. Her beautiful Japanese look dressed in a combo of goth and emo style clothing perfectly suits her. The backgrounds aren't very detailed but the facial expressions are delightful and the sound effects add much to the action. An impressive story. Will look forward to book 2: The Maltese Mummy.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interest group: Boys or girls
target audience: grade 5+, although younger grades should be able to read it

This graphic novel is a take off of the Stepford Wives story but geared for kids but with a twist! The graphics were great and the story was really funny! Megan reminded me of the girl from Beetlejuice but younger. The premise of the story is not new and the characters are not all that new either but they are really funny! Sometimes I didn't understand what was being said and I had to think about it (may be an adult thing) like why the boxes at the top of some pictures that told a book title? Well I figured out it was her point of view in a book title but some kids may not get that. Also I think it was pig latin that was used in one spot that stumped me and it took me a few minutes to figure it out (didn't use pig latin growing up).

One thing that may bother some parents/kids is that they mention doing experiments on the students and a dog. This may offend some people because it does show the dog all beat up. It didn't bother me but just wanted to mention it.

A great beginning to a new series. I would have definitely bought this for my Third grade class when I taught Third grade. I am debating whether to purchase for my Second Graders though. I will probably see if I can get a copy through the library to see if they like it before I will buy it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of an odd start, but I liked it in the end. Will be interesting to see how the joke holds up over a series.

[Jessica at Book Sake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel for kids 9-12 was a quick read for me and I can see it being a fun read for kids. This is something I think that my niece, who’s in elementary school, would get a kick out of reading. It was quirky and silly from beginning to end and it was easy to follow what was going on. The haiku writing teenager was a different twist as haiku’s showed up in different forms throughout the story. Having a genius kid as a best friend never hurts a story and who can resist a plot that contains a sweet and furry dog in it’s midst as well.

As it is the first story that shows us how the detective agency is born, I can see that there could ultimately be many more volumes of this series to come. An author has a lot of room to move when a detective agency is at the base of the storyline…anything could happen. This is a great book for those reluctant readers that still want picture books or short stories but are making the transition over to more complex stories.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried another comic book and let me tell you I adored it. It was awesome, yet a little bit too short for my liking, but still very good.

Megan is a young girl who has to go to a new school, where the kids are a little too weird for her liking. Megan is as it says in the description, bubbly, fun and a tough young girl. I also found her straightforward, I mean walking into a shop and asking the boy who works there to be your friend is pretty straightforward.

The plot is fun. Yet as I said too short. But I do have to keep in mind that it is a comic story. So for that it’s perfect. The story is predictable and I would have liked to see some more strange things happening in it. Just to shock me. But besides that, it was fun to read and I can see how this is going to be a fun series.

The drawings are awesome. Truly beautiful.

All in all The Drained Brains Caper is a fun, short story. You should try it if you love comic stories and a quick read.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a couple of kids who discover some very weird happenings in their town. The art by Tyler Page is well-suited to the subject matter, and his characters are both appealing and well-designed. The story from the renowned Trina Robbins has the right general tone, but the telling is sometimes very old-fashioned in its approach, and can throw a reader used to modern comics. (For instance, it's not unusual for her characters to jump from one emotional beat to the next in moments, without any of the expected transitions which generally smooth such changes.) All in all, it's a pretty decent kids' book - especially given the graphic novel's exceptionally low price point - and even if it doesn't deliver on all levels, it does score often enough to make an entertaining read. I mean, heck - halfway through, they meet a talking dog who was raised on detective noir. And how awesome is THAT?!

[Maya Orama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about this girl name Megan and she was in school and she was at lunch the lunch teacher was mean she gave Megan sloppy joe and this boy ask for it she gave it to hime because he was her only friend so when she got back at the lunch room every body was having a food fight prince Abel took her out of school because she start the food fight and her father took her to the doctor and the doctor was the evilly lunch lady and she gave her a shot to go to sleep to open her brain but the boy soy what was going to happen so withe his skate board he let the evil lunch lady go down down down And she got knocked out but the other people wAs still brAins caper and the we're going to kill them but they didn't so the lunch lady so the went back home and the lunch lady went to jail the end

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in a series. New girl at school is misfit but who would guess this is due to the fact that everyone else is brainwashed? Obviously something is up since wearing a band-aid on your forehead, which every student is doing, isn't likely to be a fashion statement nor is liver and onions a popular lunch choice. Fortunately for the new girl, she met another kid outside of school who can come to her rescue when an evil doctor is about to brainwash her (only need two thumbs to get phone out of back pocket and then for texting. much easier than the old days). Toss in a talking dog who has watched a lot of old movies and you're set for Chicagoland Detective Agency to officially start solving mysteries in the next book. Artwork was okay, the story was better.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan's dad has signed her up for the Stepford Academy's summer school program. But what's up with the other kids? They all dress alike, have the same toothpaste smiles on their faces, and seem to march in step. And what's with the bandaids they all have on their foreheads? Megan, an independent thinking, haiku writing, vegetarian doesn't want to dress that way and she's absolutely NOT going to eat liver and onions for lunch, required or not.

Enter the mad scientist. Megan, her friend Raf, and the mad scientist's talking dog uncover a heinous plot and come up with a rescue plan.

Graphic novel, quite short, funny. The illustrations contribute to both character development and plot. I'm looking forward to reading Book 2 in this series.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan, new in town, finds Raf working behind the counter at a pet store and befriends him. She is a new student at Stepford Preparatory Academy, where she discovers that all the kids are under mind control devised by Dr. Vorshak. As she is shackled by the doctor for her own mind treatment, Megan is saved by Raf and the evil doctor's plan destroyed. They rescue a dog which was used in experiments (which rendered him able to speak) and together form the Chicagoland Detective Agency. Graphic novel. Frames are easy to follow and the illustrations are decent, although in black and white (I think the author was going for a 1950's feel).

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun to read with my kids. I love Megan! She's someone any girl could relate to . Raf is an amazing. I love that he is a complete computer geek but also a great person to have on your team. I love that he had Megan's back after only knowing her for a few days. it shows how strong friendship can be after even a short period of time. I loved Bradley when he came into the story he is just awesome. This was a fun comic to read for anyone it has a great mystery. I recommend this for any one who likes comics with a fun story line. The art is awesome. It is definetly a fun comic to read with your kids.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this, the art is engaging and the story idea quite clever but the writing was so juvenile and stilted, it felt like an adult trying to "talk" the way they think kids do and for me it came across as vaguely insulting. I realize I'm not the age group this was aimed at but it felt like it was talking down and over simplifying things.
Again the art is amazing, I love the idea of a Chicago setting and there are good story ideas and potential here, sadly it was just never fully realized. Hopefully future books in the series improve and this is just a case of an author having to force to much of the exposition of the world into a short book.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not perfect, this was clever and interesting. Trina Robbins is better known for her work for adults, but she does okay when writing for children.
The central character is fun, but I hope she gets a little bit more development as the series progresses. The "getting expelled from schools" thing could get tired, especially since the one over the fire alarm seems a bit of an overreaction. Detention or a suspension, maybe, but expulsion?

Her ability to compose haiku under stress was quite remarkable.

I don't recall seeing other art by Tyler Page, but this worked pretty well.

[Shannon O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun books for kids who love the Bone series by Jeff Smith and other comic-style stories. They are surprisingly full of voice and provide an appealing detective story format for middle readers. Despite being in black and white, the graphics (by Tyler Page) are very well done. I love the characters! Megan and Raf are funny and totally likable, and Bradley is too cute for words.

My 3rd grade son and surprisingly, my 6-year-old daughter, enjoyed both books. I recommend both this one and The Maltese Mummy, especially for reluctant readers and comic fans.

[Drew Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Drained Brains Caper is a funny, witty and quirky graphic novel that has all the right ingredients for a fabulous afternoon read. If you like action, humour, quirky illustrations and suspense then I guarantee you will enjoy the first book in this series that features some crazy ass times and introduces us to a cast of interesting characters- my favourite being Bradley the Detective Dog. Perfect for kids who enjoy a little adventure and but-kicking and for adults who want a light and fast paced read.

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan loves manga and writing haiku (she's also looking for a pet tarantula). Raf works at his mom's pet food store and writes computer programs on the side. They end up joining forces to discover just what evilness is happening at Stepford Academy, where the students love algebra just a little too much. Oh, and there's a talking dog! Great black and white illustrations, instantly likeable characters and funny, realistic dialogue. I hope this is the start of a series!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short graphic novel about the beginnings of the Chicagoland Detective Agency.

A new girl in town stops by the local pet supply store looking for tarantulas, and befriends the owners son. Later when she discovers something amiss at her new school, she calls her new friend who breaks into the evil principal's lab and helps save her AND a talking dog. After their success defeating the principal the three decide to band together to form a detective agency.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl meets boy, boy saves girl from labotomy, dog convinces girl and boy to start the CHICAGOLAND DETECTIVE AGENCY. The Drained Brains Caper is volume one of a new graphic novel series aimed at younger readers. This bright and engaging story may suffer from a deus ex machina ending, but readers may be much more excited about the talking dog and well behaved children zombie mob to care.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too dissimilar from Brain Camp. Again you have two kids investigating a school where kids seem strangely zombified. This time the intrepid duo is joined by a talking dog. It's okay, but while the art is fine the story isn't quite up to snuff. It's not bad per say. It's just not particularly memorable. - B

[Tyce Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good easy read its about a kid who just moved to town and has to go to a boarding school and she doesn't like it there because all the kids at the boarding school seem very perfect and are really boring she investigates and eventually finds something you will have to read the book to find out what happens to the school