World Famous Comics: Transmetropolitan Vol 01: Back on the Street
Transmetropolitan Vol 01: Back on the Street
By: Warren Ellis Publisher: Vertigo Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 72 Publication Date: February 01, 1998 Release Date: February 01, 1998 Studio: Vertigo
Product Description: DC's new editions of TRANSMETROPOLITAN begin here, with this volume collecting issues #1-6 of the acclaimed Vertigo series from writer Warren Ellis and artist Darick Robertson! After years of selfimposed exile from a civilization rife with degradation and indecency, cynical journalist Spider Jerusalem is forced to return to a job he hates and a city he loathes. Working as an investigative reporter for the newspaper The Word, Spider attacks the injustices of his surreal 23rd century surroundings.
In this first volume, Spider ventures into the dangerous Angels 8 district, home of the Transients — humans who have decided to become aliens through cosmetic surgery. But Spider's interview with the Transients' leader gets him a scoop he didn't bargain for. And don't miss Spider's first confrontation with the President of the United States . . . in a men's room.
I Love Ellis but not this. ^ If you spend your time hanging in front of Hot Topic in your Che' t-shirt complaining about how "the man" is oppressing you or are going though a faze where you think Hunter Thompson is the coolest man that ever lived than you will enjoy Transmetropolitan. If you are over 16 or aren't a teenager perpetually mad at your mom and dad then you might want to try something else written by Ellis like Planetary. I tend to enjoy anything Ellis writes but just found Transmetropolitan annoying and sophomoric.
Back to Urban-ness ^ I was dumb enough to start the "Transmetropolitan" series at another volume, which, while not fatal, left a large number of issues unresolved. It is this volume that Spider Jerusalem, journalist with the venomous feed, is introduced to the unsuspecting reader. Jerusalem is a complex character, with massive emotional issues, a raging drug habit, and definite authority-figure issues. This complexity is only more deeply developed in subsequent volumes.
Set in the future, "Transmetropolitan" portrays an Earth that is the den of just about every vice you can imagine and then some. With a sub-culture quaqmire that includes Transients, (a sub-class of humans who opted to genetically alter themselves toward alien lifeforms), and more, the society that is protrayed is one of pure individualism, decadence and a government that strives to control the populace and thinks nothing of coming down on dissident groups with force if needed. This volume plots Jerusalem's return from drugged-out hippie-dom to the city to take up his role as journalistic thorn in authority's side. Within a short time, he has done just that, exposing attempted cover-ups and giving the government a severe migraine.
The series takes a stark look at a dizzying array of social issues including, political freedom, identity, social issues, freedom in general, work ethics, drugs, hypocrisy and more. The issues are dealt with brutally, but indirectly. Part of the genius of the series in my opinion is that it forces us to look at issues in a new light, which seems to be something graphic novels have a knack for doing.
The artwork is very good, and only serves to heighten the dark atmosphere of the story itself. Avoiding shocking colours, and employing a well-placed use of shadow and various perspectives, "Transmetropolitan" is well drawn and is impressive in the details. This is no "paint-by-numbers" graphic novel. The pictures are vivid and dramatic.
It has to be confessed that I was no fan of the graphic novel before. "Transmetropolitan" has changed that and shown that graphic novels are a genre not to be dismissed lightly. The series has shown that this genre can have something valuable to say on a range of issues, and though we may disagree, books like "Transmetropolitan" serve to stimulate thought and discussion. As a bonus, "Transmetropolitan" is just great entertainment and science-fiction! Definitely recommended for all, even if you have never read a graphic novel before.
Good things from dark packages ^ You should be offended by at least one thing in this book. Thats the point. It shocks you into attention since thats what it takes these days. But dont be fooled! This is not just some angry mans hate spewed onto paper, no, there are messages about life in here. Fancy that, entertaining AND enlightning. What a concept. And it works. The art is fantastic with a great use of the pages/layout. You really get sucked into it. There is no way for me to even explain how well written this is. Its just something you have to experience for yourself. You wont be dissapointed (unless your so closeminded, but then what are you doing here anyways?) bottom line. Essential Comic reading. No, Essential Life reading.
Start collecting now! ^ Transmetropolitan was first released in trade paperbacks several years ago, with each volume containing three issues at a time. Now, the re-releases contain six issues per volume, and are cheaper than the original trades.
On top of that value, Transmet has one of the most compelling stories of any comic series I've read (believe me, that's a lot.) Therefore, you have no excuse not to start collecting with these new releases!
Fans of Hunter S. Thompson's work will appreciate Spider Jerusalem's larger-than-life journalistic personality as he fights to discover the truth at all costs, including his own sanity. Similar to the "Fear And Loathing" stories, Transmet is full of twisted characters, rampant drug use, and the scummy parts of human life, all through the setting of a vaguely futuristic and corrupt America. If this sounds offensive to you, then don't bother: Transmetropolitan is meant for the reader who would want to hear the truth unfiltered and raw, in the most pure form of democracy.
Warren Ellis uses this series as an outlet after years of writing tame superhero comics, but never skimped out on his trademark strength of writing deep characters and flawlessly executed plot elements into his cyberpunk masterpiece, written during our own society's increasing involvement with the incorporation of technology into our personal lives.
This is at the least a highly entertaining read, and at its best a shockingly accurate window into human nature and an interesting look at what the future may actually hold for us. This is a perfect follow-up for a graphic novel fan in passing looking for the depth of Watchmen or Sandman, as well as an essential series for any true comics collector.
Addicting! ^ It starts out a little slow, setting up background info, but it's definitely worth the wait. You won't be able to stop reading.
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