So here I am again, back in Warren Ellis country. I've made it pretty clear I am a fan of the writer, but now I can proudly say he is the best comic writer out there, at least in my humble eyes. Transmetropolitan was written by Warren Ellis and drawn beautifully by Darick Robertson.
The entire series takes place over 60 comic books, or 10 trade paperbacks, which I personally feel is the perfect length for a huge, yet non infinite story. It's easy to get into and impossibly hard to put down. The starting premise is that crazy hermit looking journalist Spider Jerusalem, living alone in the mountains gets a call from his publisher demanding he come back to the big city and deliver on the two book deal that he is signed on for. Spider, being the kind of person who pretty much hates everyone dreads this but is forced back to civilization immediately seeking out a job writing a column called 'I Hate it Here' for a newspaper.
Some may take this as Warren Ellis standing on a soapbox and telling the world how wrong it is about various things, and I would agree. You see this is a sci fi and the big city is deranged. This is a twisted world where morality is pretty much gone and some very twisted subject matter is dealt with. Don't believe me? There is an issue about child prostitution. Yikes.
Interestingly enough, despite such grim tones and reckless disregard for morality, what holds it all together is Spider himself. Spider is a very colorful and multidimensional character. On one hand, he treats everyone like crap, has a gun that makes people poop themselves, eats endangered animals, constantly uses every kind of drug imaginable and of course loves killing dogs (the cuter the better). On the other hand, it's interesting to see him slowly but surely show signs of being a good person. At one moment he can be almost like a cartoon character, but then the next he teaches us a real true to life lesson. That's a sign of good sci fi. Also, keep in mind all the immorality of this future world is sadly believable when you really look at how the world is changing around us today.
The story starts off decently with a great opening story and some other little ones, bit everything gets incredible when at issue 13 or trade paperback 3 it starts a giant scale storyline that runs right to the end of the series, dealing with political corruption and pretty much every otter injustice you may find in the world today (although turned up to 11). Also, around this point a great character dynamic starts between Spider and two great supporting characters that really make this series special.
While this may not be a series for the faint of heart I need to recommend it strongly. It is thrilling and intelligent and when it all comes to a close, the characters are so well fleshed out that you will likely look back, remembering them like old friends. Hell, I just finished it and I already miss Spider Jerusalem.
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