Customer Reviews

Transmetropolitan Vol. 2: Lust For Life (Transmetropolitan - Revised)

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The first book in the collected Transmetropolitan comics, Back on the Street, covers the first three issues. This, the second book, covers issues 4-12. While the first is pounding with intensity, here Spider Jerusalem settles into his setting and is put through his paces. Having gotten Spider out of his mountain retreat and back to reporting, it seems writer Warren Ellis started casting about to find something for Spider to do. A few of the issues are slower than the insanity of the first three, possibly meant as quiet, sarcastic reflection on social issues. That the series is, if not strictly autobiographical, at least very close to Ellis's heart, is clear. I would hope that the comic could remain as intense, even when its protagonist is writing about somber topics. Then again, Spider's columns are what the comic is about, and if these issues aren't full of heart-pounding action, they are still very good. The issue in which Spider becomes TV is almost completely static (a full three pages, 18 frames, consist of nothing but a view of Spider sitting in his chair) but is still one of the best stories. The pace picks up again in the last three issues, a 3-part story that has Spider pursued around The City by a neatness cult carrying his ex-wife's head in a jar. Extra-spectacular is the death of the police dog.

"I Hate it Here." Perhaps this best sums up the personality of Spider Jerusalem, renegade reporter and cynic of the first degree. Disgusted by the world around him, he leaves the city and lives as a hermit.

Years after his escape, his publisher drags him back into the city, wanting the books he was promised five years back. Needing money to live in the city, he whores himself out to The Word, a newspaper run by an old friend. These are his "adventures."

Spider is brilliant, witty, and cynical. Through his eyes, Ellis gives an outlook of a bizarre future in which Aliens have landed, corporate America manages to advertise in your dreams, and reporters can write off their drug habits as a journalistic expense.

This is the second collection of Transmetropolitan, following back on the streets. Reprinted are issues 4-12. Spider is both hostage and witness as events unfold. Fortunately, it's ammunition which he fires right back at the world.

Spider can turn anything into an article, from the consequences of cryogenic freezing and restoration to simple Television. He visits reservations from the sensible to the logical extreme, and provides political commentary (And even rearranges their bowels). He encounters death threats and tangles with religion.

Let's not beat around the bushes here. This is a comic book. Fancy words aside, it's packages exactly as Spider-Man or Batman would be. That's where the similarities end. This is not aimed at children, and probably shouldn't be read by children. There is blood, gore, nudity, and thought-provoking material

What we do have is Warren Ellis' own use of the medium--A twisted, often dark, and humorous look at a futuristic world. his portrayal is brilliant, steps ahead of almost every other writer in the field of comics.

Brilliance in such a simplistic medium. Such a refreshing and innovative series.

With this second collection of Transmetroploitan stories both Ellis and Robertson have really found their feet. One story shines in particular about the revival of the cryogenically frozen Mary, this short complete tale alone makes the book worth buying. Transmet isn't sci-fi, it's a comment on today, on where we're going and how we react to life in general- enough psyco-babble- just buy it and see for yourself.

Warren Ellis had already established the "who"-- outlaw journalist Spider Jerusalem-- of TRANSMETROPOLITAN with his introductory arc, "Back On The Street"; now, he defines the where. The futuristic sprawl of the eponymous City is the future-shock extrapolation of all the cultures in every modern city; a new religion is created every hour, the TV plants ads in your brain, and on every corner there's a man in a suit full of speakers who'd just love to get you on the air for the feedsites. In this collection of six one-shot stories (And the uproarious pandemonium of "Freeze Me With Your Kiss"), Ellis and Robertson point their camera at the little things that make the City what it is, from brain-fried cryogenic refugees of the twentieth century (In the unbelievably touching story "another cold morning") to the Foglets, men and women who love technology so much that they were willing to have their minds transferred into functionally immortal clouds of floating nanotechnology. Through Spider Jerusalem's cynical eyes, however (And Ellis' perfect writing), there's no way to miss all the raw humanity flowing through all of these far-out visions. Profane and vulgar, but simultaneously hilarious and moving. A can't-miss for anyone who reads comics, and a must-see for someone who's always thought them to be just for kids.

Oh where to start? If you've not read Transmetropolitan before, then you're probably not familiar with outlaw journalist Spider Jerusalem and his penchant for hard drug abuse. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to Hunter S. Thompson, Jerusalem has been dragged from his country retreat back into the city he hates in order to fulfill his contract with his editor "the whorehopper". He lands a job as a columnist for the (unnamed) city's biggest newspaper the Word and sets about rediscovering the city.

Lust for Life, the second book in the series sets up many of the vital elements that have greater significance as the series progresses, including one really important scene that you are guaranteed to overlook.

Unlike similarly praised graphic novels, such as the Sandman or Watchmen, the key to Transmetropolitan's success is its ultra-black humour. The book is packed with cruel one liners, wicked satire and ridiculous situations. Its concluding chapter Freeze Me With Your Kiss is at heart, a brilliant, foul-mouthed farce that has to be read to be believed. You've probably never read anything like it in your life!

To be honest, I can't do the book justice with just a review. Everyone that I've lent this book to have come banging on my door asking for the next one. And the one after that. and the one after that...

If you're easily offended then please save yourself the trouble and buy something nice and heartwarming that'll be turned into a
major motion picture starring Nicholas Cage anytime soon. Otherwise all I can say is BUY IT and see what the fuss is all about. Watch out though, you might find yourself addicted.

Spider Jerusalem has come off the mountain and...

Let me dispense with a small warning first. If you think that you might be offended - not easily, just offended - I'd dteer way clear of this book. I can't really describe any of the scenes in here and stay PG-13, but I'll try.

Spider Jerusalem has decided that he will investigate religion to write a column. That being done, he takes enough drugs not to sleep for three days, dresses himself in a toga (complete with motel logo from the stolen sheets), a tinfoil halo and a fake beard. Leaving his apartment, he decides to jump on a car ranting and raving about how religion is a crutch for the weak minded. His assistant boils his comments down (out of his hearing) thusly: "Take more breaths or just repeat 'I've taken lots of big red pills'." (that's a sanitized paraphrase). If you're not sure if that's offensive or not, it gets worse.

If you think that's funny, buy this book. It's a drug-soaked high-speed trip through a world gone crazy in the future. There are a few touching moments. For example, what happens when all the people that had themselves frozen in the past are raised in a future where cancer is cured and all that fun stuff. Think on the changes from 10 years ago to now, multiply by a large number. So what does society do with these visitors from the past? The answer is fairly interesting. In more than one way.

The artwork is beginning to hit its pace in this novel. Channon's (Spider's assistant and ex-stripper) face goes from a middle aged jowled version to a younger one, but I never liked how she came out. Her body is, of course, trim the whole time. That's comics for you. Spider's teeth have settled down and his broken tooth seems to gain a fixed location and is always there.

Overall, if this won't offend you, you are going to have to read it. Now.

TRANSMETROPOLITAN is "future shock" at it's very finest. It takes a no holds barred look at our society and way of life, but disguises it in a futuristic setting, making it easier for us to stomach, easier for us to say: "Wow, I'm glad I don't live there! Those people are disgusting!" What Warren Ellis has realized with this book is that, at the rate we are going, the road we are on right now, THIS WILL BE US. It may not be that farfetched, then, for one to assume that Ellis writes a little bit of his cynical self into the character of Spider Jerusalem. Just as Spider tries to communicate to the citizens of The City in his column, Ellis tries to warn us about the path we are choosing for ourselves every day of out lives. LUST FOR LIFE perfectly captures the bizarre, twisted essence of TRANSMET. The issue where Spider goes to the Religion Convention, the issue where people from our time are unfrozen in this unspecified but all too near future, and the issue where Spider visits the Reservations, are all devastatingly accurate depictions of what our society will(is) devolve(ing) into if we are not careful. Read this book, fear it, and set your bowel disruptor to "prolapse."

I understand it is incredibly cliche to write a review proclaiming a book/movie/comic etc. is the greatest thing to ever be published in the medium. But quite frankly, it is true in this case. Warren Ellis has quite possibly created one of the greatest characters in modern fiction, Spider Jerusalem. Transmet (as the fans call it) is unbelievably original and engaging. Who woulda thunk a comic about a renegade gonzo guerilla journalist in the future would surpass every other modern comic in terms of quality? I would go into the plot but you should enter it like a virgin. If I had to describe it I would say imagine Hunter S. Thompson and the Wachowski brothers collaborating on a comic and you will get the picture.

You should read Volume 1 before you read this. And, as soon as you read Volume 1, then you'll get this, because Transmetropolitan is extremely cool and very amazing.

I really like how Transmetropolitan is set in the future, but it just jumps into the story. There isn't any reference to "...300 years from now, when the government is more corrupt and etc...etc." It just jumps in and tells the story. This book extremely well written and is all about a good story.

I just finished Volume 2 last night, and I ordered the next two volumes today. It comprises issues 4 - 12 of the 60-issue series, so you get a whopping 9 comic books in this graphic novel. I really liked how it seems to do a lot of setup and characterization for the story to come.

And, I thought a cool part of it was where in the future, they've invented cancer suppressants for smokers so that you can smoke all that you want to without getting sick. Not that smoking's cool. I just think it's cool that there are options.

Anyway, please start reading this series if you haven't. I recommend it to everyone! (In the mature audiences demographic, of course.)

Fresh off the introductory story found in Transmetropolitan Vol. 1, Ellis settles down in this second collection and really finds his stride. The distinctive art style Darick Robertson brings to the table continues to evolve as well, and throughout a wide range of moods and topics, both the writing and the art keep a remarkably steady grip on the situation.

That's some challenge, considering the manic insanity Spider Jerusalem represents, wandering through a post-post-postmodern Gomorrah like The City. In this volume you'll find Spider confronting the evils of Editors, Popularity, Assisants, Television, Ex-Wives and Religion, all in his ususal, shoot-first-and-ask-questions-of-the-survivors style.

Particularly noteworthy in this collection is the introduction of the Filthy Assistant Channon Yarrow, the incumbent President known as The Beast, and a touching story about people who literally outlive their place in the world, and what happens afterward.

If by the time you've finished this book, you're not after the rest of the series, then there's truly no hope for your tiny mammalian brain.