Gängkrig 145 Reprise from Wahlström & Widstrand

Swedish graphic novel Gängkrig 145 by Jens Lapidus and Peter Bergting was published originally by Wahlström & Widstrand in 2009. And now it's out as an app for the iPad.

"Compared with the print version, the colors and dark are better, and the high resolution of the screen lets the reader enjoy the photos in a way that wasn't possible before," says Isabella Falkowska, PR and information direct for Wahlström & Widstrand. "As a bonus you can read it as an 'animation,' box by box, with the reader guided through the book. Even if the story is the same as in the print book, it gives it a whole new dimension."

The publisher has an ad campaign on a big outdoor screen at Stureplan in the center of Stockholm (check it out on YouTube).

"Stureplan is a central spot in Stockholm with a constant stream of people during the day as well as at night," says Falkowska. "And Stureplan and the people there figure in Jens Lapidus' books so it felt perfect to grab people's attention and put our efforts there."

Jens Lapidus, who has sold nearly 1.2 million books in Sweden, with editions in 30 countries, likes the project.

"It's fun to work with new technology and I'm convinced that the visual and dramatic impact of Gängkrig 145 will be a big success in this format," he says.

You can download the first chapter for free here. The entire book costs 38 kronor and can be downloaded here.