Transmetropolitan

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Tabitha

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This is one of the best comics I have ever read. It is "Intended for Mature Audiences" though, so approach with caution.

Requirements - an interest in politics, science fiction, anarchy, and a love for damn good writing and art.

Check out: www.transmetropolitan.com - this website is the official site of series penciller Darick Robertson.
This website is good for an overview of what the comic is about: http://www.innocence.com/transmet
And, you can't miss www.warrenellis.com ....
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Transmetropolitan is a comic book published by Vertigo comics, the science fiction part of the DC Comics empire. It deals with a journalist named Spider Jerusalem, a raving lunatic (sometimes) and voice of reason in a wacky futuristic urban world. You've seen many visions of possible chaotic "world gone slightly mad" technologically insane futures, but rarely do the heroes of these worlds ever lay down the smack upon them. And that's pretty much what Spider does. Spider was a columnist many moons ago who wrote books that made him a star and beloved/hated public icon. He signed a book deal and fled to the mountains to write. However, he discovered that he couldn't write a damn thing; the only way he could write was if he was in the city, which he hated and still seems to hate regardless of how it fuels him. After paying five bucks (and a dead chipmunk) in tolls to get back into the city, he was soon on his way to assaulting receptionists, housing two-headed cats, and walking his way through a nudie bar and into the heart of a riot. And all in his first week back.

Transmetropolitan follows Spider as he harasses people with the ugly, painful truth until they are practically driven insane, fill their pants up with defecation wrought of abject terror, or simply kick his ass. Then he writes articles about them.

This critically-acclaimed, Eisner-nominated comic is available in most comic book stores and is "suggested for mature readers" (strong language, graphic pictures for the weak of heart, and terms and themes guaranteed to offend any pussies in the audience).

All of which are available at everybody's favorite online, money-grubbing, life-force-stealing, mega-corporation (embodying everything Spider hates): amazon.com.

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It has been running for a few years now, although I only got into it recently - I can't get enough! I love to sit back, relax and read some of Spider's venomous venting. The story may be set centuries into the future, but many of the themes are relevant today - albeit magnified by the lens of the medium.

Buy it. Read it. NOW!

spiderfront.jpg
 
Sounds like Private Eye meets Viz from here.

Not sure if it is available in the UK, at least by convenient sources, but I'll keep an eye open
 
Should be available at your local comic book emporium. It is published as a monthly from DC (Vertigo), but I read it in trade paperback (i.e. collected issues) form - there have been about 6 TPBs so far.
I think they are available through Amazon too.
 
I found one in Ottakers bookshop in Llandudno, sitting uncomfortably with two DC anthologies and a Manga.

Took a browse through it while waiting for the till.

Sorry, not terribly impressed. Certainly not enough to part with the £18 they wanted.
 
Sorry it didn't pique your interest Ray :( I'm a big fan and don't have anyone to natter with about it :)
 
While Preacher was extant, I endured arguments time and again who insisted that it was the best comic there was. I convinced a few people that Transmetropolitan was better.

If only the next issue wasn't the last one.
 
Originally posted by rde

If only the next issue wasn't the last one.
Click to expand...
Huh? Oh no :( I usually wait for the trade paperbacks to come out before buying Transmet, so I have no idea what is happening with the storyline right now.
What a bummer :(

I liked Preacher a lot, but overall I probably prefer Transmetropolitan - I think it might be my scifi bent coming out.
 
Should I be reading the Transmetropolitan volumes in order, or are they stand alone stories?
 
I picked up a Transmetropolitan TPB a few years ago and have read it through several times. I love the art and the writing but I've just had too many other things I wanted to go out of my way to pick any more up. I really should though, as Spider is so very good.
 
Forgive me for the thread necro, but I think Transmetropolitan needs more recognition. I was talked into reading the series by a friend who said that it was essentially Hunter S. Thompson set in a future, cyberpunk world (I'd say this is an accurate description, as Spider Jerusalem really does capture the essence of Hunter, in particular the relentless quest for truth) with a political story line. I ordered all ten volumes of the graphic novel out of the library and found myself reading through them relentlessly. It's definitely an 'adult' series as the OP noted, but it's also a mature one in the best possible sense. Wonderful writing and interesting exploration of how social ills will play out in the future. Plus, I can't help but love the little touches like an anti-cancer prescription pill for people who want to smoke.:D
 
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