We’re finally presented with Torpedo Volume 4, originally solicited for November 2011.
Book Four of Abuli and Bernet’s masterpiece, Torpedo, continues Luca Torelli’s adventures in the stinking, crime-infested waters known as New York City. There Luca and his crony pal, Rascal, maneuver their way through a black comedy of murders, mayhem and an assorted series of misadventures, all the while breathing in the most authentic version of 1930s New York ever portrayed on the comics page!
- Enrique Sanchez Abuli (w)
- Jordi Bernet (a & c)
- HC B/W
- $24.99 USD
- 144 pages
- 8.5” x 11”
- ISBN: 978-1-61377-089-4
- IDW Publishing, Feb 8, 2012
- Order Online: Amazon
This time around we’re treated to a lot more comedy from Sanchez Abuli. Luca ends up getting the brunt of quite a few adventures, losing some of his tough-guy image in the process. Don’t worry, he’s still a completely despicable character with no moral fibre: he just gets his fair share of abuse in this volume as he’s taken by a crooked card game and a wily dame, plus a nosy kid. it’s a nice range of tales that take us out of the rut we’ve been in with the previous volumes.
Rascal also gets his chance to star in a few tales, including a flashback to his youth and handling Luca. There’s a great story called Who Is Afraid Of The Big, Bad Wolf where Luca provides an alternate say no to drugs message in that messy gangster style.
Jordi Bernet delivers his artwork with aplomb, as always. The men are invariably ugly and the women beautiful. Or course in these tales there are no innocents so Bernet reveals their inner self through wonderful facial expressions and exaggerated movements. This is a black and white work that is wonderfully inked; nothing heavy, just enough blacks to tell the story.
While the cover bears the title “The Complete…” the indices and solicitations just show Torpedo Volume 4. No extras except for the one-page biography at the end. Glossy paper stock, thick enough to prevent image bleed. Sewn binding top off the excellent construction and finish of this book.
Originally published at Comic Book Daily.
