Transmetropolitan, Vol. 3: Year of the Bastard

Transmetropolitan (Collected Editions) #3

by Warren Ellis

Investigative reporter Spider Jerusalem attacks the injustices of the 23rd Century surroundings while working for the newspaper The Word in this critically-acclaimed graphic novel series written by comics superstar Warren Ellis, the co-creator of PLANETARY and THE AUTHORITY.

In this third volume, Spider Jerusalem begins to crumble under the pressure of sudden and unwanted fame. Having had enough of the warped 23rd century Babylon that he lives in, Spider escapes into a world of bitterness and pills. As he stumbles through this haze of depression and drugs, he must find a way to cover the biggest story of the year, the presidential election. Armed with only his demented mind and dark sense of humor, Spider embarks on an adventure of political cynicism, horrific sex, and unwelcome celebrity which culminates in a shocking and ruinous ending.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Cyberpunk, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Warren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.

The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.

He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.

Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.

A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.

Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.

Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.

Reviews

[Sr3yas · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first two bizarre volumes, I didn't expect the story to get crazier. There gotta be a limit, right?

I was wrong. So very wrong!

(I feel like Warren Ellis is talking directly to his readers here!)

It's the election year! Don't forget to vote!

This volume features a single spectacular story arc and it's all about politics this time. Spider hates the current president. Well, he hates everyone and everything, but he truly dislikes Mr.President. And the opposition is a new guy. Spider decides to enter the political landscape once again as a journalist!

Oh, he also got a new assistant. Kind of like Channon: Emo Edition.

The story started slowly with a dose of Spider's deep and inhumane drug addiction and craziness. But after a couple of chapters, the story picked up the speed and started delivering edge of the seat thrills, albeit a bit over the top at times. (This is actually a recurring criticism, I guess)


What I love most about Transmetropolitan is its reflection of our own screwed up society. Warren Ellis has captured the insane political campaigns, the unnatural smiles of politicians and the celebrity status of outrageous personalities and the effect of these games on public's imagination and sanity.

Seriously, this is one fine addition to the series!
-------------------

What a crazy world, huh?


Uh, It's for comic-con, I guess!

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wouldn't it be nice is slightly insane dystopian writers stopped being so prescient?

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two volumes of Transmetropolitan were practically anthologies, singular stories meant to showcase Spider and his deeply imaginative world. This is something else entirely, a complete, connected story, one that hasn't quite finished even as the volume closes.

It's all about politics, the perfect subject if you want to get good and enraged. And since that's where Spider lives, it makes perfect sense to do a story revolving around politics. And it's every bit as cutting and bitter and angry as you'd expect. And, roughly fifteen years on, every bit as relevant as when it was first written.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collects issues 13-18 of Transmetropolitan. Spider Jerusalem covers an election and no matter who wins, everyone is fucked. Not unlike other elections I could name. This one was a humdinger. Political machinations, violence, drugs, more politics, and more drugs. The elections of Spider's dystopian future are even bigger shitshows than some of ours. I wasn't planning on going further than this since I don't have any of the other volumes on hand but I'm going to if I can score them on the cheap.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up until now "Transmetropolitan" didn't really have a story and followed Spider Jerusalem from one bizarre story to the next but in "Year of the Bastard" a story arc that will continue for much of this series begins - the election of the President, the Beast vs the Smiler.

The Smiler is this great character who is the most superficial person alive and underneath the surface is one of the most terrifyingly blackest souls who ever lived. He's a brilliant target for the fearless Spider to latch onto and try to bring down.

Along the way Spider gets a new assistant, Yellena Rossini, and his old assistant Channon returns to be his bodyguard. The politics of the future is as filthy as it is today though there is a very brutal assassination that puts this future's politics over the present's in terms of cynicism and desperation.

Warren Ellis is on top form giving the hateful Spider plentiful dialogue to vomit on the other characters while Darick Robertson outdoes himself again building on the last two books' excellent portrayals of this dystopia and giving it more depth. His depiction of Spider's new apartment made me wish those places were real so I could live in one.

"Transmetropolitan" is a superb series and rightly Warren Ellis' best work. "Year of the Bastard" is the best of the series so far and is an excellent read that any comics fan would adore.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited an entire YEAR for this! Finished Vol. 2 Sept 20 2013, waited for the library to send Vol. 3, and lo and behold...they were not doing so...then they didn't have a copy left, so I asked them to replace/order a new one...then they did...and it still took 3-4 months to come in and then to make it's way into my hot little hands...it has been an ordeal.

I was so excited to read this!



I'm happy to report, it was worth the wait.

Spider is forced to cover the upcoming election; something he is loathe to actually do, but when he needs to barter for a new food-replication unit, his boss trades that for the coverage.

I don't know what I can say about this series, and Warren Ellis (as well as Darick Robertson's art) other than, they are 100% Full-power. They're tearing down the corruption of politics/politicians, pointing out the sleazy wheeling and dealing that leaves the little guy fucked over at the end.
This is no-holds-barred evisceration of the political process in democratic countries (USA especially, not sure about UK's political workings, and I know Canada is bad, but we don't have the Pres/VP tag team).
There's also an entirely blatant destruction of Fascist candidates which envokes Hitler (the guy's name is Heller; there's a fella in the audience who looks just like Adolf, and Robertson keeps putting a shadow under Heller's lip, to look like a tiny moustache.) Spider shits all over this guy, but ends up backwardly endorsing his opponent for the nomination, because he likes the female press secretary, and because the incumbent is known simply as "The Beast".
So endorsement goes to "The Smiler", who's no better at all than the Beast, and we see how things develop and just how disgusted Spider gets (and I think anyone who's read the first 2 volumes knows, he can be pretty angry) it almost seems like he's better and more righteous when he's mad as hell.

He makes it his mission to take down a puppet running mate, which ends up having unforeseen consequences at the end of the book. It's a fantastic moment of sheer




I'll be interested to see if they follow up this storyline and keep at it, because this was Spider at his most vitriolic, caustic, biting best. The first few volumes were great, but this feels like they really hit on something good, and I would love to see them keep it up.

Strongly recommended, if you hate what the American Political Process is/has been, you can read this, without even having to read the first 2 volumes, it's good that way. However, those volumes will give you more depth into the character of Spider Jerusalem and make you understand him a bit better, but this is a superb book.

Get this review and more at:

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to ever have doubts as to the worthiness of comics as a medium for social critique or dissenting opinions, they would all be washed away by this volume of Warren Ellis' masterwork, Transmetropolitan. Within these slim and splendidly decorated pages lie some of the most biting and harsh political and social truths ever uttered, words so wonderfully free of restraint and so incendiary that, were they not shielded by the disregard most high minds have for comics, Ellis would likely be removed from his home late at night by an elite team of Blackwater mercenaries, sleek black hood slipped over his head and tranquilizers pumped through his body, only to awaken after being extraordinarily rendered to Egypt, or Oman, or Yemen, or whatever dictator-du-jour is currently doing the United States' wet work.

Ellis' Spider Jerusalem is a rabid dog of a journalist. Veins racing with an ever-shifting cocktail of uppers, downers, hallucinogens, and baby seal eyes, with a soul yearning to express the Truth at any cost, Jerusalem is quite easily the best and most faithful Hunter S. Thompson caricature that I've ever come across. In previous volumes, Jerusalem has taken on the sacred cows of religion, television, and fame but here in Volume 3 is when he finally tackles my own bete noire, electoral politics, and wins my heart all over again. Sure, the set-up is nearly all cadged from Thompson's Fear and Loathing On The Campaign Trail '72, but that air of reality is what lends this volume its bite.

Trying to assuage his ever-demanding editor, Jerusalem is sent to cover the Opposition Party Convention, wherein the Opposition delegates are struggling to decide between two career hacks (Sen. Callahan, a Jerry Brown surrogate with a Joker-like grin and Bob Heller, a thick-necked white supremacist running on a platform of pure rage) to run against The Beast, a Nixon/Bush Jr hybrid that could only have been born from some dark sacrificial act. Over the course of these issues, Jerusalem unwraps a fetid taco's worth of corruption and bile, highlighting all of the backroom politicking, endorsement-buying, and victim exploitation that occurs as a matter of course in our electoral system but amped up to the nth degree and then injected with steroids. It is biting, it is harsh, and it is some of the most topical criticism I've read in a long time. This series is highly recommended for nearly everyone.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still great, but slowly Transmetropolitan began to lose the plot with a focus on presidential politics which seems less coherent today than it did in the late 90s/early 2000s... That's not to say this was badly written, but more that modern politics became even more absurd than Warren Ellis could have imagined. So more of a bad review of the 2010s/2020s if anything

[Vladimir Ćeha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one so far.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 4 out of 5]

You both love and hate Spider Jerusalem. On certain pages he is wild, doped as hell, crazy and all kinds of superlatives that is related with the word mad you can think of. On other pages (and there's only a very few of them, he is relevant, genuinely concerned about the welfare of others, a person who desperately calls for a change and a voice of the "new scum".

Year of the Bastard covers Spider Jerusalem's coverage on the presidential campaign. This volume I can say is eerily timely. People are fed with bullsh*t news snippets from the so-called amfeed, basically what *ahem* social media feed us. There is a campaign going on and it is the fascist incumbent president vs. an equally crazy opposition. Whoever wins though, the sad truth is, evil will always prevail while the sensible ones are killed (literally, and I praise Darick Robertson for those graphic images).

Spider Jerusalem shines as a character as he covers the campaign, unearthing skeletons and bringing down approval ratings overnight from just one column. This might be a far fetched idea nowadays - one person changing things, but the essence is this: journalism is cunning a virus, powerless by itself but life-changing at the very instance it latches on to someone, and by someone I mean the masses. So crazy as Jerusalem as he may be, he uses this for one thing: to show the truth.

Jerusalem has a new assistant, Yelena. She's a likeable introvert. More intelligent but less physical than Spider's previous assistant Channon (who shows up in this volume). I think the trio will make an entertaining team.

Transmetropolitan took a bit of time for me to like it. I'm in. I'm definitely in.

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was thoroughly enjoyable: a superhero story for grown ups who came to terms with the fact that super powers don't exist. In this storyline, Spider Jerusalem is covering the presidential campaign and making new enemies along the way. This is the cohesive, caustic and thoroughly focused narrative I thought TRANSMETROPOLITAN has the power to be, exposing the inner workings of a political campaign and the capital importance of public opinion for politicians. This is a futuristic series about the problems of today and I am more than overjoyed I have 7 more issues to go through. Spider Jerusalem makes me feel like a 12 years old boy who just stumbled upon a hidden treasure.

[Dev · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two volumes of this series were good but I feel like this one really just took it to the next level. Or maybe it's just that I'm reading it now when all of this is sadly even more relevant than ever.


[looks into the camera like i'm on the fucking office]

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

During election years, this should be required reading for every American over the age of 16. That is all.

[Anton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Year of the Bastard: that's what I'm calling 2017 from now on.

[Doc. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is a deftly handled departure from the formula (or lack thereof) of the first two books. Whereas the two previous instalments contain loosely connected snapshots of this dystopian world, this book tells a single coherent story that’s likely to become a focal point. Well... about as coherent as you can expect from our drug-addled protagonist, Spider Jerusalem.

In one of the chapters of the first book, Warren Ellis took on the politics that further ostracises minorities, cramming them into dilapidated housing projects and sending them hurtling into crime, whilst hiding them from the public eye. But this book delves deeper and attacks our farcical elections. Blatant corruption, shady quid pro quo deals, vote-bank policies, even assassinations dominate this volume as Ellis reminds us that there’s one thing humans crave above all else: power.

In the days of demagogues like Donald Trump, Amit Shah and Boris Johnson, this book feels almost prescient. How easily we succumb to our base instincts, breaking along cultural divides and acting upon prejudices. Ellis is disgusted by this spectacle—not just the politics of hate, but the whole damned rigged system that splits us into factions for fun before ultimately going back to serving those already at the top. It’s politics as usual, y’all. Would that we had a journalist like Spider, who—for all his faults—is the only one brave insane enough to hold the establishment’s feet to the fire.

I wasn’t sure the creators could top the amazing second volume, but they outshone themselves here. The only reason I’m not burning through the series is that each book so far has called for introspection... Haven’t we turned a blind eye to the machinations of those in office, letting them prey on the most vulnerable members of our society? Turns out, Spider’s futuristic world is more familiar than distant, and I don’t think I can withstand too much of it all at once.

SOUNDTRACK:
Songs for a Trump-free America

My reviews of the Transmetropolitan series:
1. ‘Back on the Street’
2. ‘Lust for Life’
4. ‘The New Scum’
5. ‘Lonely City’
6. ‘Gouge Away’
7. ‘Spider’s Thrash’
8. ‘Dirge’
9. ‘The Cure’
10. ‘One More Time’

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

After months and months of this fucking political war going on I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy this volume of Transmetropolitan focusing on presidents getting elected. However, the ending really made it for me.

This is basically Spider just pushing his way into both the people who could be president and shitty on each one by giving us facts. Funny enough one is basically like Trump, other more like say Clinton, and them bickering back and forth is...eerily the same as what we had to go through as the people. But the biggest thing I got from this all was Spider hates everyone and everything, except woman...cause he sleeps with them all.

I will say the plot itself was entertaining and the ending is so shocking it really boosted my score up to good to great. I think the ending is the punchline this storyline needed and it worked on every level. I also can't comment enough about the awesome art, nothing really looks like this world they live in. The negatives would be Spider yammers on SO much sometimes to the point it is annoying and for him to sleep with someone like 20 years younger than him...after what came out about Warren Ellis, wasn't a good look.

But overall, good stuff, really funny at points, and sadly very realistic despite it being in the future. a 4 out of 5.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this and now we are into new comics that I never got this far into when I lost my collection. This one is all politics, and the new presidential candidate becomes the focus of Spider Jerusalem's affection and respect to begin with and then turns into his bitter enemy. The Beast, also known as the current President simply must be beaten, and yet Spider hates the new guy trying to get the job. He goes on a drug induced rampage and writes his heart out before he switches gears when betrayed by the candidate, Callahan and sobers up, stands up and turns up the heat. Spider discovers that Callahan's running mate is in fact a clone put into place by The Beast, Heller. Spider calls him out and the turn drops Callahan's approval rating so badly that the popular opinion has voters clamoring for his political advisor, Vita to step up and take the job. Bad things occur and Spider is left in a downward vortex of danger. What will he do next?
Well.....I just don't know because I haven't bought the next couple of volumes of this amazing book yet. I gotta get on this, ASAP !!!
Oh, btw this was AWESOME!!!!

Danny

[Otherwyrld · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a couple of times when I had to double check that the date of this story was 1998 and not 2016. Put simply, Spider Jerusalem covers the US Presidential election and manages to make it only slightly less surreal than our current reality.

Along the way the author, speaking via Spider quite rightly excoriates the voting public for their apathy, their willful ignorance, and their willingness to shaft everyone (including it seems themselves) if it screws everyone else. I wish I had a way to show some of the stonking good images that illustrate this storyline but I don't have a file sharing account (if you have copies of the graphic novels look up issue 15 page 6, issue 16 pages 13 and 14 for examples)

One thing I haven't mentioned so far is the artwork, which is elegantly simple in the foreground while still containing a myriad of details in the background that you could spend hours poring over and still find new things to marvel at. It makes the story more realistic and grounded even as it displays the most grotesque images. It also must have been a bugger to draw, considering how many tattoos Spider has over his body.

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real plot kicks in, and shit immediately gets real.

It's also the first time Spider lowers his guard and starts to show his weaknesses. He's very good at what he does - borderline invincible when at the top of his game - but he's also an emotionally vulnerable, often downright fragile, individual. He feels angry and scared and guilty. He doesn't even want to be here: it's in the name of his column! This volume, him going up against both sides of the presidental election, him feeling crushed with how it all ends up, showcases it all great. It makes me look forward to more.

And of course it gets us the villain as well. At first glance a grinning little weirdo, but you already see the first signs of the sheer sociopathic villainy hiding underneath. He's a worthy foe for Spider.

[Mohamed Metwally · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Jerusalem packs his gear and goes to war against the corruption of the president, but faces a difficult dilemma when he moves to support the competing presidential candidate when he finds that both sides are corrupt, so which side will he support? Which is the lesser of the two evils that his conscious can choose to live with?
A very good book, enjoyed reading it...

MiM

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the third volume of Transmetropolitan came out nearly twenty years ago and is an outlandish piece of science fiction, it’s story of the corruption and madness of a presidential election cycle feels a little too accurate. Right down to a lying, racist leading opposition candidate.

[Rituraj Kashyap · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two volumes got readers acquainted with Spider Jerusalem and the city that he loves to hate. The stories were primarily single or double issues with the overall narrative running in the background. Volume three gives us a story over six issues, "Year of the Bastard."

The presidential election is coming up, and the Opposition Party convention is in town. Spider is assigned to cover it. Two candidates figure prominently, and Spider wants to know if either is capable of taking down the current president, aka "The Beast". He interviews one and attends a campaign rally for the other. Neither of which make him feel good inside. As the convention convenes and a candidate is nominated, Spider smells a rat and digs until he finds the truth.

With the departure of his first personal assistant, Spider receives a new one: his editor's niece, Yelena. Spider's not exactly a charmer, so it doesn't take long for her to hate him. While resolving their conflict, Ellis gives a bit of insight into Spider. There's also a back-and-forth between Spider and Vita Severn, a political director for one of the candidate's campaigns. She recognizes the importance of having the press on her side, and he enjoys the access to the candidate that she provides. But there's more going on there.

Written over 1998-1999, it is just as relevant now as then. Besides the obvious oversaturation of media in our daily lives, there's the politics. This quote from Vita Severn about one of the candidates sounds like it could've been about the 2016 campaign:

"His Florida campaign for the candidacy rested entirely upon cultural and economic divides, the exploitation of tensions and the vestiges of prejudice. His appearance in Sanford looked like a Nuremberg rally."

Spider relies on the usual assortment of cigarettes, booze, pills, and sex to help him cope with his resurgent celebrity as well as sift through all the political bullshit. Inspiration is typically the result of intuition and amplified by the biochemical mixture in his system. After the binge required to write a column, there's always the comedown and hangover. Copious amounts of coffee and cigarettes get him through it. Going forward, it might take more than that. While this volume has concluded, it is clearly just the first act in a much larger story arc.

Darick Robertson's artwork continues to vividly convey the story. All of the characters' emotions, the action, the minutiae of city life, and the chaos of the political maelstrom are exquisitely rendered in fine detail.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blame Warren Ellis for every fucked up thought in my head and the entirety of my Twitter stream. Reading Transmet is like getting repeatedly kicked in the nuts. Your brains nuts. This make brain mad. Make brain write things not normally write. Or at least with vastly increased frequency.

In fact, that's my pitch for Trasnmotropolitan (and Warren Ellis in general): Think weirder shit, faster!

[Arctic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll always love the nasty, trashy, completely psycho characters in this series. If you're a wholesome type person, please avoid. It is a very politically orientated graphic novel with situations in which you could never think of yourself.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nearly 20-year-old comic is surprisingly relevant to what's happening in politics today...

[Pat the Book Goblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And I’ve only begun fucking with you people.” –Spider Jerusalem

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time for the Election, and Spider is here to cover it, and it goes as well as you think it would. This has been a favorite series since I read it long back, and re-reading it is giving me all the joys of reading for the first time, as it's been a very long time since I read it for the first time. So let's go on and Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I have I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and hope always to love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.

[Jeraviz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asusta ver que la sátira política que hace Ellis en 1999 sea tan parecida a lo que está ocurriendo en Estados Unidos hoy en día.
Por cierto, hay diálogos que harían enrojecer hasta a Chuck Norris. Voy a lavarme los ojos con jabón a ver si se me va la imagen.
Una brutalidad de cómic.

[Gabriell Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Konečně se začínáme víc nořit do politické situace a rozhodně to bude stát za to.
Oni jsou totiž politici budoucnosti očividně naprosto stejní zmrdi jako politici dnes.

Mohlo by se vám (ne)líbit viz první book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...