Customer Reviews

Transmetropolitan Vol. 6: Gouge Away

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This TPB is a little bit lighter than the extremely dark volumes that came before it -- Spider shakes off his depression and resumes the fight against the exploitative powers that be with new vigor. The absurd (rather than purely black) humor of the early volumes returns, particularly in the hilarious first issue of this volume, in which Spider's life is parodied in a variety of genres... Ellis' comic writing is at its peak here.

As always, however, the comedy and vulgarity are tempered by a genuinely disturbing dystopian vision of a modern Western democracy gone subtly totalitarian. Among the comics being written today, _Transmetropolitan_ is nearly unique in its skillful satirical handling of serious issues.

Thats the best way to describe this trade paperback. In this story arc, Spider grapples with the fact that his overexposure has made him a cartoon of sorts. He decides it's time to step up with war with The Smiler, a.k.a. President Gary Callahan. I cant reveal much more, except that it's a pivotal point in the overall Transmet story. If you read the series, you must pick this up. If you don't, START, then get this one. If you cant read learn. Yes I am ranting, but it's that damn good.

This series is, as my title proclaims, worthy of multiple readings. As if you haven't heard, Spider is an amazing journalist with a knack for telling it like it is, in the most misanthropic but profoundly truthful way possible. By the time you get to this volume, you should be well on your way to needing all ten. I hope you didn't look ahead. This one is worth taking bite-by-bite! You'll be glad you did.

Warren Ellis, Transmetropolitan: Gouge Away (Vertigo, 2002)

Gouge Away starts off with Spider Jerusalem facing the greatest horror of his career--commercial success. Comic books, daytime dramas, even porn. What does an outlaw journalist do when faced with pop culture emasculation? Gouge away, of course. Find the story that no one wants him to tell, and tell it. In, of course, the funniest way possible. Another winning episode. *** ½

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Spider Jerusalem is the man! Warren Ellis has created an amazing thought provoking series. Collect them all.

Great comic book (graphic novel)! Basically Spider J. is a journalist in pursuit of the "Truth" in the not-so-distant future. He is disgusted by "The City" and the depraved diversity of the hundreds of mini-cultures, religions, and cultists that the population swarms to. He writes on his laptop, he takes drugs, he is an outsider of civilization, preferring his cabin deep in the wild "up a (*&%^^* mountain" to hedonistic city life, but the city NEEDS him and his perspective. His prolific writing has made him a reluctant celebrity. And now it's time for him to tell the truth about the ultimate evil politician with a generic happy face, "The Smiler!" The art is fantastic, the story is awesome, highly recommended!

Jerusalem has become a famous rich bastard type of journalist.

Spider thinks he finally has enough dirt on the President to go public, and he publishes with the help of some allies, and then does a disappearing act so that the President and hoods can't find him to take action, or force him to recant. This will also help with the worries about losing his edge from being a fatcat type.

Let us not forget the bowel disruptor gun, either.