Torso

A unique way to experience true crime.

The first word that I would use to describe this phenomenal true crime graphic novel is 'gripping.' It was so exciting, I consumed it in what felt like record time, and the climactic action scene near the end of the story was so effective, that at times I actually gasped out loud. The award-winning comic is set in 1930s Cleveland, where The Torso Killer (also known as The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run) is leaving gruesome, headless bodies for police to discover. While the story is obviously quite graphic, the art makes it not only more palatable, but also stylized and engaging. The black and white art is sometimes layered over real black and white photos, which aside from just looking really cool, reminds the reader that this is based on a true story. Though the facts of the case are less straightforward than how they're presented in Torso, it is presented in a narrative that instantly takes hold of the reader and holds them the whole time. The writing, the art-- everything comes together to create a graphic novel well deserving of the Eisner Award it won in 1999. It might be my new favorite comic book, and it is certainly one of my favorite books that I've read this year.
This book is recommended for readers with an interest in true crime and thrillers.