Torpedo: Volume 3

Torpedo #7-9

by Enrique Sánchez Abulí, Jordi Bernet

Abuli and Bernet's masterpiece, The Torpedo, is the story of Luca Torelli's rise from the gutters to become the top killer-for-hire in 1930s New York City. The Torpedo, along with his constant companion, Rascal, reeks swift and terrible underworld justice on all those unfortunate enough to cross their paths.
Abuli's stories are full of cruel and morbidly dark humor, and Bernet's art style is perfect for showcasing New York as a both stylish and grim. Together they work seamlessly to create a classic and timeless series.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Crime, Bande Dessinée

144 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1986

About the author

Enrique Sánchez Abulí (born 20 February 1945) is a Spanish comics author, well known for his participation in the Spanish comics industry. His most famous work is the darkly comical gangster comics saga Torpedo in collaboration with Jordi Bernet.

He is son of the also writer Enrique Sánchez Pascual.

Reviews

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection both begins and ends with glimpses to the origin of Luca Torelli, alias Torpedo, in early 20th century Cicily (where else?). I find these stories to be considerably less funny than the rest, and far more depressing - perhaps because they add a sense of continuity into the setting, building it up into a greater whole, instead of just using it as a medium for quick short stories of black comedy. It's likely why Cerebus Syndrome exists - why once funny stories and settings tend to grow mature and somber with time.

Part of me still wants to read more of them, though, because they are pretty fascinating despite it all, and just as well-written and -drawn as the rest of it.

[Mohammed Abdikhader Firdhiye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a very different take on the gangster era of 1930s USA and its mostly stories of dark humor than straight hardboiled gangster story. Abuli writing is so funny in a very dark,brutal way. I bought this book mostly for the legendary spanish artist Jordi Bernet who has become my favorite artist of them all in recent years thanks to his work with Jonah Hex.

He is mostly known for this series and i can see why. Its not hyperbole when i say i have not seen better artwork than in this volume in any comic series, GN i have read. I was thinking more like how cool, awesome the art looked in every page. His style is very european, retro and it was an honor to read his best artwork.

[Ill D · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all the uneven quality in taste and tone of the first two offerings in these compendiums, I found the third in the series to be far more enjoyable. While still employing the same style and timbre, various improvements result in a far more pleasant read. Employing longer stories and a wider variety of perspectives, this stretching of application and know-how has refined itself and aged well. Toss in some extraordinarily eye-popping shock value that is utterly out of place in a far more politically correct era, Torpedo holds up some ~40 years later as an extremely edgy (and I mean this in a good way in this context) and thoroughly laughable series.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pure gangster/crime comics, best of the best. Can't get any better than that.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first thought when I started reading this comic was something like: "Oh my god, this is so terribly incorrect to read/see. So many moral values are being broken in my poor little mind right now". Then I kept reading.

So if you ask me now, I'd pretty much say that this book is like a deadly attraction and I would definitely not recommend it to you specially if you are a woman (readers will know).

Now, having made peace with my inner consciousness I must say: THIS BOOK WAS F**KING EPIC!!!!

Why? Here's why:

The dark humor is specially mastered in here. I mean, this dudes are a pair of twisted bastards and I definitely approve. I never thought I could laugh at so many politically incorrect things that I laughed at reading this.

Next point would be the art of this comic. Man! It is actually quite amazing. It has this vintage style that is pure perfection, and in a way it seems innovative and full of novelty.

Finally I would point out that the main reason why I loved this twisted-wicked-soul darkening-book is because it is a totally different thing from the usual gangster stories we are used to; this thing is daring, direct, totally hard boiled, and REALISTIC, I totally see this kind of stuff actually happening in the life of a mobster rather than the kind of thing that are usually depicted in let's say a movie.
Al the gangster stories I have read are very very mild in their portrayal of day to day life, this thing is pure brutality.

And for some reason I enjoyed it.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the same. One of the stories focuses on the protagonists parents and family and kind of changes things up by not really being funny at all. My favorite in this collection would have to be a conflict between Torpedo's gang of thugs and another crime family. It's so ridiculous it almost feels like an episode of Spy vs Spy.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty, violent, breaks every civilized morals code, yet somehow not offensive. A quick read.

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dark but somewhat hilarious adventures of Luca "Torpedo" Torelli continues as the gangster navigates some more sticky situations involving classic crime noir tropes. The "Torpedo" stories are largely told in nonlinear fashion, with many delving deep into Torpedo's early career and origin. The opening tale in this volume focuses on Torpedo's parents while later entries spend time with Torpedo as a fully formed hitter for the mob. The stories here don't have the same humorous punch as the previous two volumes did, but the dry black humor still shines through from time to time. There are some tasteless moments in here as well, but it generally works well if you just lean into the idea that we're really following around a god-awful person - a refreshing pace for crime comics in truth.

Jordi Bernet's artwork continues to shine here, with the stylish but still somewhat cartoonish designs doing a great job making the stories less edgy than they would otherwise read.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wie auch die ersten zwei Teile erneut ein Band voller Sprachwitz (der teilweise dann in der Übersetzung doch etwas holpert), treffsicherer Zeichnung und tiefschwarzem Humor. Ich vergebe hier mal kritische drei Punkte, da das ganze auf Dauer nicht so recht von der Stelle kommen mag. Im Rahmen der Gesamtschau aber natürlich trotzdem empfehlbar!

[Alessandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luca Torelli, alias Torpedo, diventerà forse il killer prezzolato più famoso di New York, ma in questo numero della raccolta completa delle sue storie, si vedono e leggono molti dei suoi esploit giovanili, senza parò dimenticare la “finzione letteraria” della contemporaneità di Torpedo, ossia gli anni ‘30 del secolo scorso nella Grande Mela.

[Rey · Rating 1 out of 5]

A better volume than the previous two. Longer stories and develops more on the character and his background.

Has some good storytelling moments and artwork, BUT is unfortunately interspersed with some revolting sexual assualt inclusive of incest.

Cant in good conscience rate high no matter the quality, ruins and leaves a bitter taste.

[CARLOS NEVES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente

[Bruno Rio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torpedo being Torpedo.

Sharp draw, sharper stories :)

[David]

Would benefit from a better English translation.

[TheWord · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking at the CATALAN edition- it's combined with the IDW omnibus that DOESN'T COLLECT IT!
Vol 1-3= Book 1 | Vol 4-6= Book 2 | Vol 7= 33% of Book 3
I've never seen editions more bungled than in this series

The art is solid. The guys are perfectly evil, the guns are rendered very realistically and the women are beautiful even though he only draws one type with insanely thin waists and mammoth breasts but they don't appeal to me in anything but their faces and legs.

The story is as violent as you'll find and Luca is no stranger to raping women so this is for those who don't let real life scruples effect what they read. IT'S DIRTY.

[Michael Losasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, amoral, gritty, and incredibly dirty! Author seems to top himself in how depraved Torpedo is.