Transmetropolitan Book Two

Transmetropolitan (Collected Editions) #3-4

by Warren Ellis, Darren Robertson (Illustrator), Tim Bradstreet (Artist)

In these stories from TRANSMETROPOLITAN #13-24, renegade journalist Spider Jerusalem targets three of society’s most worshipped and warped pillars: politics, religion, and television. When Spider tries to shed light on the atrocities of these institutions, he finds himself fleeing a group of hit men/kidnappers in possession of his ex-wife’s frozen head, a distorted creature alleged to be his son, and a vicious, talking police dog. Also includes the one-shot TRANSMETROPOLITAN: I HATE IT HERE.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Dystopia, Cyberpunk, Dc Comics

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2019

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

[Adam Spanos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story focus in a peripheral manner on the election, but since Spider has been removed from the streets by fame, he's too far away to really get at the heart of it.

Lastly, the artwork seems to have taken a turn for the cartoony. It's a lot more '4 color' than previous efforts and just doesn't fit with the world of Spider Jerusalem as previously depicited.
The most interesting thread focuses on the relationship of Channon and Yelena. Which is, while interesting, not what I buy Transmetropolitan for.

Overall, if you liked the first book, this is still worth reading. If the first were too offensive for you, you might find this one tolerable, but since so much of it is built on the first, it's not that good a story in its own right.

[RG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very good!! Obviosuly dont take it too seriously.

[Andy Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spider Jerusalem vs. the President… Spider Jerusalem FOR president?

[Andrew Sorrentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider covers the election.
I’m loving the artwork. Robertson is very gifted with facial expressions. And that’s a good thing with all the yelling and sneering going on.

[Hokunani Sorci · Rating 4 out of 5]

graphic novel review
Title: Transmetropolitan, Book 2, issues 13-24
Author: Warren Ellis
Illustrator: Darick Robinson
Artist: Tim Bradstreet
Pub Year: 2019 (1999)
Platform: Yomu - digital
Genre: Sci-fi Dystopian, Cyberpunk, Satire, Politics
Stars: 4

Incredibly prescient to today’s times where politics are at the forefront. I don’t usually enjoy politics but the surrealism is wild. This collection still had that initial craziness, especially with the talking dog and the headless kid, but the focus was on Spider’s necessary (to keep his job) obsession with the presidential candidates. He flip flops between hating the Beast and the Smiler but who will he ultimately set his sights on?
There was also an issue of Spider being…kind? Which felt weirdly out of character and unnerving. Seriously, it felt like an else-worlds issue. Is there a Spider clone running around? Whether this carries over into further issues or is a one-off, we’ll have to wait and see.
Art is fantastic, as usual, with hidden details throughout.

[Evelyn Blackwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike the last book, this one does not feature that many single issue arcs. Rather, the book is comprised of two major arcs and then capped off with a collection of Spider Jerusalem columns.
I took my time with Book One. But here? Pfft. I devoured this book like it was a the first meal I'd had in ten years! It feels contagious after awhile, like a drug. I was having difficulty restraining myself from it. I'm the type of reader who wants breathing room between chapters. Some time to let the subjects really simmer.
Not here. I couldn't stop.
And at the end of the day all I know for sure is this: Warren Ellis is a genius. Darick Robertson is Jesus levels of holy. The Smiler is loathsome ketchup. Yelena Rossini rocks. I love Channon. I am weirdly ambivalent to The Beast. This comic is beautiful. I love these characters. I enjoy seeing slivers of compassion seep through these calloused people. It is so wonderfully cathartic to watch.

[Paul Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warren Ellis is clearly a time-traveller

[OmniBen · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review for the series as a whole) 4.5/5
I haven't read a lot of Warren Ellis, although I rather quite like what I have read so far. This was the first long running series that I finished earlier this year when my love affair with comic books started. My local library somehow had all ten TPB's on hand, and so I voraciously consumed them, and have since bought books 1,2,3 and am awaiting 4 and 5 upon release. That is about as big of an endorsement as I can provide, going out and purchasing a series of books that I have already read. The only downside is that DC comics is releasing them in softcover larger trades, rather than in a hardcover omnibus, which is of course what they should be doing. Although DC comics is a cesspool of apathy and illogical decisions of late, so I'm disappointed, although hardly surprised.
Transmetropolitan (don't let the name fool you, this is about as far from a modern PC tale as you could get). It tells the tale of Spider Jerusalem, which may just be one of the coolest character names ever. A former journalist who fled New York City years ago for a secluded life in the wilderness, is dragged back into the neon vibrance and soul shattering dystopia of his former life. Over the course of the 60 issues, we follow Spider's exploits as he tirelessly works to expose the embedded corruption within the political system, and indeed every aspect of life. Dozens pf pages could be filled, dissecting the hideous and hilarious world that Ellis created over the course of the run, although I'll endeavour not to tumble down that rabbit hole and keep things as brief as possible. Spider is a mixed bag of a character. one minute championing the plight of the forgotten and downtrodden as he tears down the establishment in his own, enigmatic style, yet the next minute, will be stomping on a puppy in the street, or cursing humanity as a whole, and wanting to damn the whole fetid lot of them into some dark abyss so he can finally have some peace. It should be noted here, that although the book deals with some very serious and relevant issues we still face nowadays, the entire story is done with tongue cemented firmly in cheek. so the idea of stomping dogs in the street (cause Spider Jerusalem is a cat person) is no reason at all to turn away from this title. This book tries ridiculously hard to upset every single person who picks it up, yet you are so busy being entertained by it, that you'll likely never be bothered by it. It is a sad indictment on the modern comic industry, and society as a whole, that this book would never get published these days. This makes it even more precious and important. Something that should be savoured. this is how artists used to be able to create. Freely and liberally.
Darick Robertson, who does the art for the majority of the run was the first artist that I fell in love with since picking up a comic book. His detailed yet deranged style suits the series down to the ground, and is perhaps even more a part of the series than Ellis' writing, which is mostly very strong throughout. Ellis manages to blend the continuous, irreverent humour of the series with some at times, very meaningful revelations and character twists. Whilst the fairly simple premise and narrative can become a tad jumbled or repetitive at times, for the most part, Ellis has created an amazingly detailed world, that will have you shaking your head and smiling all at once.
Spider is followed by a small yet wonderful cast of characters, the stars of which is his two 'filthy' assistants. Two complex, engaging and attractive (Oh no!) women, whom admire and despise Spider in equal measure. Several slimy political figures feature as the main antagonists throughout the run, which were obviously needed as something to ground the story and give Spider something to work towards, though Transmetropolitan for me, was at its strongest when Spider was simply opining the world he sees around him. Looking at it all through his grimy rose tinted glasses, and wondering where it all went wrong.
In closing, you definitely should read Transmetropolitan. You really should. Not only is it a fantastically written and drawn comic book, but it is also a signpost for what the medium used to be. When content creators were given free reign, without fear or reproach or reprisal from any minority source, which Ellis recently became the unfortunate victim of himself. Seriously, go out there and read this book and reminisce at the former beauty of this medium. 4.5/5


OmniBen.

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spider Jerusalem covers the primaries and the general presidential election. As Spider's popularity grows again upon his return to the Word, so to does his ability to influence politics. Transmetropolitan naturally takes on political commentary as is to be expected for a dystopian cyberpunk series, and it does it pretty damn well. This volume covers two major arcs, "Year of the Bastard" and "The New Scum".

In the "Year of the Bastard" arc, Spider investigates the two main primary challengers to the incumbent president's rival political party (good to know that the two-party system is thriving in the dystopian future), and suspects that one candidate is acting as controlled opposition to the other more fascistic candidate. He also gets a new assistant, Yelena, to make up for Channon joining a nunnery in the previous arc. The meta-commentary of media and how it covers politics is well done and also really funny.

The follow up arc is "The New Scum" which takes a look at the general election following the primaries. It's similarly as engaging and we get a in-depth peek into Spider's more softer inner nature compared to his more routine facade of a misanthropic and hedonistic individual. He is still a misanthrope and hedonist for sure, but there is another dimension to him that makes him a much more compelling character.

Darick Robertson's artwork continues to impress in this volume, and the sharp color separations by Nathan Eyring are worth mentioning as well.

[Renato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I speak about Transmetropolitan to people, I speak initially of the journalism & politics angle. And it is in this volume that it ramps up, especailly since we are moving from single one-off stories to something more serialized (covering the arcs "The New Scum" and "Year of the Bastard").

Election season ramps up between "The Beast" and "The Smiler", two candidates that are equally awful, and Spider Jerusalem has found himself a willing victim between a rock and a hard place. Jerusalem declares his 2nd book will be about the election, and now he has to face that which drove him into the mountains in the first place.

As always, the political takes in here feel timeless - any critical American election could be accused of being the source inspiration for this series (which is more of a statement that everything is awful at all times).

[Michael Emond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Warren Ellis so it is a little strange I only read the first volume of is most famous run and never kept reading. I enjoyed it but it was a little too over the top sci fi political commentary for me. So I picked up this volume and wondered if I stopped reading too soon but actually...no...this was what I was expecting. We get Ellis' commentary on politics which is insightful but a tad heavy handed. It is meant to be comical and exaggerated but the shtick which was interesting and novel at the start of this series is wearing a but thin AND Spider himself seems to be less into it and calming down as a sane narrator.
Overall - it was good but it shows me why I stopped reading this series when I did.

[Paul S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You want to know about voting. I'm here to tell you about voting.
"Imagine you're locked in a huge underground nightclub filled with sinners, whores, freaks and unnameable things that rape pit bulls for fun. And you ain't allowed out until you all vote on what you're going to do tonight.
"YOU like to put your feet up and watch [television]. THEY like to have sex with normal people using knives, guns, and brand-new sexual organs that you did not know existed.
"So you vote for television, and everyone else, as far as your eye can see, votes to fuck you with switchblades.
"That's voting. You're welcome."

[Tom Roller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of Book two revolves heavily around the subject of elections. Ellis gives spotlight to running candidates, Spider's angry world views and his downward spiral. All this meat feels slapped on weak bones as storytelling drags at a worryingly snail's pace in "Year of the Bastard". With "The New Scum" Transmetropolitan regains a lot of its energy and inspiration but eventually stands as a scatter-brained recollection of Book one.

[Arun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spider at his usual hate for everything. This volume has a political penchant and if you are into that this will definitely stimulate your senses, else it could be like unleashing a bowel disruptor on your self. Art and colors are at its usual crisp best.

[David Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still undeniably powerful and disturbingly prophetic. This book does wane a bit in terms of narrative variety as it deals essentially with one macro story to the detriment of everything else. And the final 'summary' issue feels a bit out of place despite the amazing artwork.

[Andrii Rudenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good example of a graphic nove genre, it's harsh, direct, full of swear words and is almost screaming how adult and cynical it is. And still it has some pretty naïve and appealing concepts under the hood, and is worth giving a try. Ellis had to learn how to write good, and he succeeded

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good book, poking humour at elections. There was also a nice overarching story beginning to form here with the eventual presidents true colours showing throughout the book and seems like an antagonist for later in the series. Nothing mindblowing here but good fun!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Anton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Очевидная крутизна, но в конце ожидаемый клифхэнгер.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow even better than book 2. This series is superbly written and has to be some of, if not Warren Ellis’ best work. Brilliant commentary about the future, and yet somewhat about today.

[Stijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff. Dark, humor, corruption, back-stabbing, bold journalism. Great stuff. Can't wait for the next one.

[Kamil · Rating 4 out of 5]

W tej części śledzimy przede wszystkim czas wyborów i jest on bardzo intensywny. Nadal jest zabawnie, ale atmosfera jest już dużo gęstsza!

[Jeff Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dark, very cynical, very true. Well done.

[John Doe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Второй том "Трансмета", относительно васянского первого, намного более серьёзное чтиво в плане журналистики как таковой и событийного концентрата. Это всё ещё сатира (думаю, такой история и останется), но уже не только ради комического эффекта. Двойное дно двойного дна, дно.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as fun as the first book. Getting a bit heavy handed with the political aspect.

[Matt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The craziness continues in book 2, although this is a more straightforward story and doesn’t meander in fun one-shot issues. Some people prefer the straight story but personally I missed the single issue detours exploring the futuristic city Spider lives in. It was still a blast to read though.

I loved Spider’s dig into the political candidates and how even he gets mislead by “The Smiler,” and becomes a the-enemy-you-know scenario when the election results are in.

And that ending… I will be reading the next volume ASAP!

[Alex Memus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Скучноооо!

Из хорошего здесь только три потрясающие обложки от Квайетли и симпатичный новый персонаж Вита.

Из плохого всё остальное. Арка Виты не проработана и ей не хватает экранного времени, поэтому ее смерть в конце вызывает мало эмоций. Новая ассистентка Елена в комиксе особо не нужна (ей Эллис так и не сможет придумать занятие прям до самого конца серии), Сцена секса с ней тоже не обоснована и ни к чему не приводит. Эта сцена особенно настораживает в контексте обвинения Эллиса в токсичности его бывшими. Наблюдать за борьбой Биста и Смайлера тоже решительно не интересно. Колонки Спайдера в конце тома — слабые.

Короч, нудятина стала.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75. Book two was absolutely messed up—in the best way possible.

This arc dives deep into the politics of this world, and the way it tackles the subject feels more relevant than anything in the first book. That’s both a testament to its brilliance and a chilling reflection of reality. It also sets the stage for some serious stakes in the books to come.

What stood out even more were the profoundly human moments for Spider Jerusalem—venerating and heartbreaking in equal measure. These glimpses into his character added layers of depth that made the satire hit even harder.

All in all, a splendidly dark, satire-rich second outing that leaves you both drained and eager for more.

[Loki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of the greatest works of political satire of the last few decades. Smart, funny, weird as hell and not afraid to ask why you're not paying attention when politicians screw you over. Absolutely fantastic.

[Christopher (Donut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Not to be taken seriously.
On the back cover it says "disturbingly prescient.". That's about right.