Gängkrig 145 – Stockholm Noir

Gängkrig 145 – Stockholm Noir Gang War 145 - Stockholm Noir

Following the success of Easy Money – Stockholm Noir I and Never Fuck Up – Stockholm Noir II, European crime fiction’s young superstar Jens Lapidus takes his authorship in a new, exciting direction. Gang War 145 is a spectacular stand-alone graphic novel set in the Stockholm Noir world, created in a unique collaboration with one of Sweden’s most prominent graphic artists, Peter Bergting.

The story commences with a promising girls-night-out resulting in a tragic assault. Under the influence of alcohol, the younger sister of small-time gangster Mahmud is lured by two men into a situation she cannot control. The effects of this event spread like wildfire through the suburbs of Stockholm, and Mahmud’s quest for vengeance leads to a full-out gang war. Against direct orders from his superiors, lone wolf police officer Martin Hägerström is doing everything he can to stop the bloodshed from escalating. His desperate one-man effort not only puts his career in jeopardy, but also the treasured relationship to his only son. With Lapidus’ gripping original story, and Bergting’s rare ability to capture emotions and details in his images, the result is an extraordinary exposé of a Stockholm few dare to acknowledge. We recognize the main characters of this outstanding graphic novel, gang member Mahmud and police officer Hägerström, from Never Fuck Up – the second installment in the Stockholm Noir series. Among the young men depicted by Lapidus and Bergting in this novel, respect and honor are of crucial importance and must be defended at any cost. But sometimes the price to pay for violence becomes too high, even for a gangster…

Reviews

  • “Here we have something extremely rare: a best-selling Swedish author who actually dares to challenge his winning concept by trying something entirely new. Because sadly, Swedish crime/thriller graphic novels are practically unheard of. A few years ago, Jens Lapidus became one of those authors whose books you would see in the hands of at least ten people while making a half-an-hour journey by public transport. First with Easy Money and then with Never Fuck Up. Lapidus and Bergting skillfully and convincingly describe the shadow world that has arisen, where a growing part of the Swedish population live outside of society, writing their own laws and creating their own hierarchies. /…/ Bergting´s realistic drawings in faded color schemes correspond brilliantly to Lapidus´ sharpened sense for contemporary language. A very successful pioneers' work.”

    Dagens Nyheter, Sweden

  • Gang War 145 is strikingly illustrated by Peter Bergting, it´s cinematically and personally done. Text and image complement each other well – almost like in Beckett play where the stage directions provide new dimensions to the dialogue.”

    Göteborgs-Posten, Sweden

  • “[It is] the graphic novel medium's dual capacity to create atmospheres and to constantly change perspectives, that brings it to life.”

    Aftonbladet, Sweden

  • “Together with Peter Bergting´s thoroughly professional narrative imagery, Lapidus has created an action comic of high quality. /…/ The narrative style of Gang War 145 is reminiscent of Frank Miller, the creator of the Sin City comics. It´s paired down and driven, a page turner that charges on like an action movie.”

    Borås Tidning, Sweden

  • “It is about time Swedish comics establish fresh and non-biographical points of departure. Lapidus and Bergting convincingly reintroduce the dark, American, graphic novel to Sweden.”

    Helsingborgs Dagblad, Sweden

  • “This season's most important novel is sneaked out onto the market disguised as a graphic novel. And not just any old comic book, but possibly – objectively speaking – the best Swedish comic book ever. /…/ Bergting illustrates realistically. So well that it brings tears to my eyes. Everything is just right: proportions, perspectives, composition, disposition, facial expressions. /…/ With Gang War 145, Jens Lapidus and Peter Bergting prove that one can create meaningful graphic novels in Sweden in 2009.”

    Kristianstadsbladet, Sweden

  • Gang War 145 has more in common with Matteo Garrone´s Napolitan gangsters in [the film adaption of Roberto Saviano´s] Gomorra than with Coppola´s Godfather movies. There is no mythology for mafiosos to flatter themselves with in Lapidus and Bergting´s depiction. Just like in Gomorra, a boring and unglamorous reality filled with tragic individuals with cheap motifs is depicted. This is the best Swedish graphic novel I have ever read.”

    Norra Skånes Tidningar, Sweden

  • “I'm sucked into a realistic thriller about a Stockholm noir in gloomy, intelligently set colors. /…/ A hair-raising Stockholm battle with credible, frightening characterizations of gang members, and the policeman Hägerström as a worn out lone wolf and workaholic. Gang War 145 is heavy, tough, and unforgiving all the way to the final show down.”

    Östgöta Correspondenten, Sweden

  • “Bergting´s illustrations and color scheme emphasize the dystopian atmosphere in Lapidus´s stories – which he labels Stockholm Noir – even more. /…/ In conclusion this is a very pleasant, new element in the Swedish crime field, and it passes with great distinction.”

    Värmlands Folkblad, Sweden

  • “In the fantastic hands of illustrator Peter Bergting, the Stockholm settings where Mahmud, Javier, Babak, and the policeman Hägerström operate are more raw and dark than ever. /…/ The result is an eye-catching novel, a moment of entertainment, and a credible portrait of the shady Stockholm underworld.”

    Östersunds-Posten, Sweden

  • “Bergting´s dark, dramatic, and action packed illustrations are a perfect match to Lapidus´s language and style, and I also detect a hint of irony aimed at the hard-boiled genre itself. Very liberating and highly entertaining, and I can´t wait to get back to the couch because I still have a few cool pages to enjoy.”

    Skånskan, Sweden

  • “This is a graphic novel for thriller-lovers and those who appreciated Lapidus's earlier books. They will, guaranteed, enjoy Gang War 145.”

    Nya Wermlands-Tidningen, Sweden

Author
Photo: Pierre Björk Jens Lapidus
Published
2009
Genre
  • Graphic novel
Pages
168
Reading material

Swedish edition

Spanish edition

Rights sold

Denmark, Modtryk

Finland, Like

Netherlands, Bruna

Norway, Cappelen Damm

Spain, Suma (World Spanish)

Sweden, Wahlström & Widstrand

More From Jens Lapidus

Top Dog

Stockholm Noir

Stand-alone