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Transmetropolitan (Collected Editions) #1-3
Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol. 1
After years of self-imposed exile from a civilization rife with degradation and indecency, cynical journalist Spider Jerusalem is forced to return to a job that he hates and a city that he loathes. Working as an investigative reporter for the newspaper The Word, Spider attacks the injustices of his surreal 21st Century surroundings. Combining black humor, life-threatening situations, and moral ambiguity, this book is the first look into the mind of an outlaw journalist and the world he seeks to destroy.
Collects Transmetropolitan #1-18, Transmetropolitan: I Hate it Here, VERTIGO Winter's Edge #2 in a slipcased Absolute Edition format.
Collects Transmetropolitan #1-18, Transmetropolitan: I Hate it Here, VERTIGO Winter's Edge #2 in a slipcased Absolute Edition format.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
24 people are currently reading
462 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,908 books5,764 followersWarren 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 5, 2021
I read the volumes #1-3 covered by this collection. In a 23rd century mostly urbanised reality of corporations, capitalism and individuality gone wild, hyper-cynical journo Spider Jerusalem has to return to the job, city and life he hates, as an investigative reporter at The Word. Warren Ellis and the delightful creative Darick Robertson come together to share this darkly comedic, morally ambiguous, cyberpunk dystopian fantasy gone wild. 7 out of 12.
January 3, 2025
"Up a goddamn mountain."
Reread Dec. 2024. My review still applies!
Review 2016:
Spider Jerusalem is a goddamn international hero. And Warren Ellis even more so for having created him. I could not have picked a better time to read this scarcely describable work of supremely hyperbolic satire than during the most hotly contested and controversial election in modern American history (read: 2016).
Spider is a journalist from the school of Hunter S. Thompson, obsessed with drugs, guns, violence, and sex, everything that makes America America. Because America!!! But he's so far beyond HST, and that's saying something! He's grotesque, profane, insane, and yet in his tangential and wildly "gonzo" participatory ramblings he finds extraordinary and profound truth, scorning and ridiculing every facet not only of American society but of Western Civilization period. And while he seems a detestable person, hurting, even inadvertently killing people, taking every drug known and unknown to humankind, inventing insults so insanely hilarious and stomach-churning, and (figuratively) shoving even his own dead grandmother into oncoming traffic out of blind self-interest, he seems to me not an Everyman character but a culmination of everything great and terrible, an average of extremes. And he cares, not directly, but indirectly, hating everyone equally and indiscriminately. The sanest, craziest white man I've ever read about, and I love him and somehow sympathize with him.
"I hate it here. I hate the way it smells. I hate the way it looks. I hate the way it loves me, and I hate the way it makes me feel. I hate it here...but God help me, I can't imagine living anywhere else."
Today, following yesterday's shit show and failure of democracy at the second day of the Democratic National Convention, I am literally up a goddamn mountain in a quiet farmhouse on a quiet gravel road like a real life Spider Jerusalem. Never have I wanted so badly for a book to be real, for this drug-induced journalist to expose the conniving whorehoppers, the sonofabitch mothers of twelve bastards. But alas, it isn't "real." But it's real in my heart. And whenever I'm angry about some terrible injustice in the future, I know exactly what Spider Jerusalem would say about it.
If I were describe what this book is like, how it makes me feel, the world Ellis creates, I would say it's like dropping down a radioactive whale asshole, rocketing through semen-filled sea water and rank and rotten effluvia, gasping for breath while emerging into a dazzling techno-clad Atlantis, full of freaks, geeks and ass cheeks, a city with every problem we have and every problem we haven't yet invented. It's devastingly sad, weird, and hilarious. Amazingly illustrated by Darick Robertson. It's like Ellis read The Goon, Where's Waldo, Daniel Clowes, Henry Miller, William Gibson, and hocked up Transmetropolitan. This book is my cynical spirit animal.
February 1, 2023
Rude, crude, and prescient at time of writing to a lot of where we have been headed societally, politically, and within journalism.
January 24, 2021
Nehezen rázódtam bele.
Van itt egy masszív, nagyon kidolgozott, színes-szagos (és hát nem éppen illatos) világépítés, és egy kikerülhetetlenül ellenszenves központi karakter, de történet mint olyan, az nem nagyon van, illetve elég nehezen alakul. Sokat kellett haladnom a kötetben, hogy ezt a kombinációt elfogadjam, és ennek ellenére, vagy pont ezzel együtt, értékeljem ezt a markáns és rettenetesen dühös társadalomkritikai hangot, ami pont annyira aktuális ma, mint amilyen a kilencvenes években volt.
Spidert nem szerettem meg: hiába élünk ugyanabban a trutyiban, az ő válaszai nem az én válaszaim. A Transmetropolitan világa viszont tényleg nagyon erős volt képileg és tartalmilag is, megérte elmerülni benne.
Ja, és szabadszájúság-rajongók előnyben: itt bizony nincs képkocka trágárságok nélkül. De ez idővel olyan természetesen hat, mint Spider pucér feneke és a tetoválásai :)
Van itt egy masszív, nagyon kidolgozott, színes-szagos (és hát nem éppen illatos) világépítés, és egy kikerülhetetlenül ellenszenves központi karakter, de történet mint olyan, az nem nagyon van, illetve elég nehezen alakul. Sokat kellett haladnom a kötetben, hogy ezt a kombinációt elfogadjam, és ennek ellenére, vagy pont ezzel együtt, értékeljem ezt a markáns és rettenetesen dühös társadalomkritikai hangot, ami pont annyira aktuális ma, mint amilyen a kilencvenes években volt.
Spidert nem szerettem meg: hiába élünk ugyanabban a trutyiban, az ő válaszai nem az én válaszaim. A Transmetropolitan világa viszont tényleg nagyon erős volt képileg és tartalmilag is, megérte elmerülni benne.
Ja, és szabadszájúság-rajongók előnyben: itt bizony nincs képkocka trágárságok nélkül. De ez idővel olyan természetesen hat, mint Spider pucér feneke és a tetoválásai :)
August 9, 2015
Where to begin? I had no idea what to expect from this series. I've read most of Ellis' superhero work and recognize he has some pretty far out ideas, which is what I like about his stuff.
After reading this first Absolute volume the gist of it is: Ellis is using the main character Spider Jerusalem, a journalist, to examine different aspects of our society (keeping in mind this was created in the mid-late 90's.) That alone deserves a star, elevating the medium into something a little more than fisticuffs between men and women in costumes.
The series is set in the future, with imagined scientific inventions and other events that have transformed American society. I'm torn because there's a lot thrown at you, especially in those first couple of issues: excessive use and reference to drugs, sex, body mutilation, foul language and violence among other things. This gets to be much at times, but, I think that's the point. Ellis is extrapolating where we are headed as year after year many of these things are becoming less and less taboo. What Ellis does is take this opportunity to point out how ridiculous some of the ideas and actions are and through Spider say or do what many of us want to do, from kicking somebody in the nuts to revealing the corruption behind a politician. These are the spots that I enjoyed the most and found myself at least partially connecting with Spider.
Robertson's art matches Ellis' writing perfectly. All of the excesses that I mentioned previously are used in excess in the drawings. There is so much stuff in the background between graffiti, advertising, clothing, etc. it's quite a bit to absorb, but again, that's part of it. You feel while Spider hates the city and there are times when I'm right there with him, despising the actions of someone or getting fed up with being bombarded with advertising.
In the end, this needs to be read (especially before more of the imagined tech and events really do happen, because some of them already have.) I believe my hesitancy on rating this higher is more because this book reminds me of what I dislike about society, not because the writing is bad. And that's what good writing should do, make you think about yourself and the world around you, right?
January 26, 2025
(Zero spoiler review)
This was one of the first series I read when I was getting into comics half a decade ago, or so. How naive of me to think that all comics may have been of a similar quality to Transmetropolitan. Ahhh, if only...
A lot has changed in comics in the last five years. Still, one thing remains constant, and that's just how Good Transmetropolitan is. Ellis' best work? Well, it's either this or Planetary. His Hellstorm run was outstanding, too. Still, there are a few things that irked me then, and still irk me now. Mostly sue to Ellis just going to hard on the 'absurdity' of the world Transmetropolitan is set in. Yeah, it's properly messed up, and there is a lot of uniqueness and novelty, as well as humour to be found there, but Ellis Spinal Tap's it up to eleven just a little too often for my taste, and really should have just focused on the characters and the story more than how extreme or shocking he could be at times.
What doesn't irk me, is Robertson's artwork. I couldn't remember how long it was before fill in artist (and amazing inker) Rodney Ramos, but this is all Robertson, and it's fucking fantastic. Not only that, but it may just be one of the most gorgeously coloured comics ever put into print. Seriously, look at this god tier work by Nathan Eyring and tell me it isn't the stuff of legend. If ever a book deserved the absolute format, it's this.
Despite Ellis' strength's as a writer, and the sublime artwork, the one thing that stands out above it all, is how once upon a time, we knew that all sides of the political divide were trying to bend us over, and march us into their dystopian, night mare future. One of the greatest tricks they ever pulled were dividing us and dragging us back into the mire, convincing us that picking a side and righteously defending it was the way towards a better world. I shudder to think what this title would be like today. Essential reading. 4.5/5
OmniBen.
This was one of the first series I read when I was getting into comics half a decade ago, or so. How naive of me to think that all comics may have been of a similar quality to Transmetropolitan. Ahhh, if only...
A lot has changed in comics in the last five years. Still, one thing remains constant, and that's just how Good Transmetropolitan is. Ellis' best work? Well, it's either this or Planetary. His Hellstorm run was outstanding, too. Still, there are a few things that irked me then, and still irk me now. Mostly sue to Ellis just going to hard on the 'absurdity' of the world Transmetropolitan is set in. Yeah, it's properly messed up, and there is a lot of uniqueness and novelty, as well as humour to be found there, but Ellis Spinal Tap's it up to eleven just a little too often for my taste, and really should have just focused on the characters and the story more than how extreme or shocking he could be at times.
What doesn't irk me, is Robertson's artwork. I couldn't remember how long it was before fill in artist (and amazing inker) Rodney Ramos, but this is all Robertson, and it's fucking fantastic. Not only that, but it may just be one of the most gorgeously coloured comics ever put into print. Seriously, look at this god tier work by Nathan Eyring and tell me it isn't the stuff of legend. If ever a book deserved the absolute format, it's this.
Despite Ellis' strength's as a writer, and the sublime artwork, the one thing that stands out above it all, is how once upon a time, we knew that all sides of the political divide were trying to bend us over, and march us into their dystopian, night mare future. One of the greatest tricks they ever pulled were dividing us and dragging us back into the mire, convincing us that picking a side and righteously defending it was the way towards a better world. I shudder to think what this title would be like today. Essential reading. 4.5/5
OmniBen.
June 24, 2025
No real complaints at all about the presentation here. A couple issues seem a little blurry. I really like how they present the covers with no text and have I Hate It Here at the end just covering the 3 volumes contained here.
May 17, 2019
Liked it enough to keep reading. I do like how cheeky it gets at times as well. But I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. It's a generous 4 stars to be honest.
August 8, 2024
Transmetropolitan is one of the 'classics' from Ellis. I believe it was great when it first came out. But after more that 20 years it didn't aged well in some aspects.
Set cyberpunk environment, it mostly social and political critique dressed as scifi story. There are some nice ideas and story arcs, like woman that got hers head frozen in past and now wakes up in new young body, just to realize, that there is nobody waiting for here in the future, and she actually doesn't belong there. Sad and depressing story, but one that makes you think...
On the other hand, there are some aspects that looks funny nowadays. Nobody could guess, how the world will change, how influence of mainstream media will decline with whole disinformation scene. How one person won't be preacher of the truth followed by others. How nobody will be reading columns and commentaries, but getting info from short videos on some social platform. There is lot of anger from author aimed to politicians, religious congregations and so on... Some of the predictions are funny, but some are quite precise and scary. Or maybe it's due to some things that are in nature of humanity that will never change. Another thing is, that vast part of it is focused on political system of USA, so unless you are at least a little bit familiar with it you'll get bored pretty easily probably.
Sometimes I had feeling that all that shocking violence and roughness is self serving. You can smile upon it when you are some teenager, now it just ridiculous in some cases.
Art is also kind of old-school, from days when there was penciler, inker and colourist and every one of them did her or his part. You can see that Spider Jerusalem is fed up with everything, really angry and ready to settle some scores. Pages are epic and full of details, bringing that nostalgic vibe of old 80' comics.
To sum it up, after almost one third of the run I must say that Transmetropolitan is interesting. Still provocative in some cases, but in others just funny and old. I will see how it will continue and wrap up at the end... 3.5*
Set cyberpunk environment, it mostly social and political critique dressed as scifi story. There are some nice ideas and story arcs, like woman that got hers head frozen in past and now wakes up in new young body, just to realize, that there is nobody waiting for here in the future, and she actually doesn't belong there. Sad and depressing story, but one that makes you think...
On the other hand, there are some aspects that looks funny nowadays. Nobody could guess, how the world will change, how influence of mainstream media will decline with whole disinformation scene. How one person won't be preacher of the truth followed by others. How nobody will be reading columns and commentaries, but getting info from short videos on some social platform. There is lot of anger from author aimed to politicians, religious congregations and so on... Some of the predictions are funny, but some are quite precise and scary. Or maybe it's due to some things that are in nature of humanity that will never change. Another thing is, that vast part of it is focused on political system of USA, so unless you are at least a little bit familiar with it you'll get bored pretty easily probably.
Sometimes I had feeling that all that shocking violence and roughness is self serving. You can smile upon it when you are some teenager, now it just ridiculous in some cases.
Art is also kind of old-school, from days when there was penciler, inker and colourist and every one of them did her or his part. You can see that Spider Jerusalem is fed up with everything, really angry and ready to settle some scores. Pages are epic and full of details, bringing that nostalgic vibe of old 80' comics.
To sum it up, after almost one third of the run I must say that Transmetropolitan is interesting. Still provocative in some cases, but in others just funny and old. I will see how it will continue and wrap up at the end... 3.5*
February 8, 2023
Plot : 4/5
Art : 4/5
Humour : 4/5
Characters : 4/5
Overall rating : 4/5
My issue with reading hard sci-fi is exactly that, it's hard. There are so many technical terms, and everytime I come across one I get this frenzied urge to google and know all about it, which ultimately leads to, me falling into internet rabbit hole for HOURS! It's a vicious cycle lol.
Anyway, the story is amazing (so far). Main character, Jerusalem is basically an exaggerated version of H. S. Thompson on a never ending quest for the "TRUTH". He is fueled by an endless stream of drugs and motivated by equal parts of hate and reverence for the grotesque organism that is the futuristic city where he resides.
This book tackles issues unflinchingly. Very relevant. Presents strong opinions on just how politics and corporations turn life into an everyday nightmares. A prescient critique of the double edged sword of technological advancement.
Entertaining read if you don't mind gratuitous sex, violence, and obscenity.
Art : 4/5
Humour : 4/5
Characters : 4/5
Overall rating : 4/5
My issue with reading hard sci-fi is exactly that, it's hard. There are so many technical terms, and everytime I come across one I get this frenzied urge to google and know all about it, which ultimately leads to, me falling into internet rabbit hole for HOURS! It's a vicious cycle lol.
Anyway, the story is amazing (so far). Main character, Jerusalem is basically an exaggerated version of H. S. Thompson on a never ending quest for the "TRUTH". He is fueled by an endless stream of drugs and motivated by equal parts of hate and reverence for the grotesque organism that is the futuristic city where he resides.
This book tackles issues unflinchingly. Very relevant. Presents strong opinions on just how politics and corporations turn life into an everyday nightmares. A prescient critique of the double edged sword of technological advancement.
Entertaining read if you don't mind gratuitous sex, violence, and obscenity.
November 6, 2017
I didn't know exactly what to expect with this, but I loved Planetary and someone online had recommended this, so I took a chance. No regrets!
Spider Jerusalem is the Hunter S. Thompson of a future society in an unnamed super metropolis simply dubbed "The City." He's angry. He hates everyone. And he spends all his time drinking and doing drugs, with the occasional break to output a newspaper column complaining about people.
Society has gotten to the point where technology has allowed everyone's vices and excesses to not interfere with life. Want to smoke cigarettes 4 at a time, all the time? Be sure to stop at the corner market for your anti-cancer pill. Don't like your gender? Change it in an afternoon! Always wanted to be a dolphin? Get a temporary species reassignment for the weekend! Anything and everything is available, and no one looks past their own entertainment. And that's where Spider Jerusalem steps in, to notice and report and complain about the things that no one's paying attention to.
The language is strong but poignant, the scenes are obscene but beautiful. Despite a few over-used obscenities ("I don't give two tugs of a dead dog's dick"), it's an absolute pleasure to read. I'm currently reading volume 2, and already checking to see when volume 3 will be released.
Spider Jerusalem is the Hunter S. Thompson of a future society in an unnamed super metropolis simply dubbed "The City." He's angry. He hates everyone. And he spends all his time drinking and doing drugs, with the occasional break to output a newspaper column complaining about people.
Society has gotten to the point where technology has allowed everyone's vices and excesses to not interfere with life. Want to smoke cigarettes 4 at a time, all the time? Be sure to stop at the corner market for your anti-cancer pill. Don't like your gender? Change it in an afternoon! Always wanted to be a dolphin? Get a temporary species reassignment for the weekend! Anything and everything is available, and no one looks past their own entertainment. And that's where Spider Jerusalem steps in, to notice and report and complain about the things that no one's paying attention to.
The language is strong but poignant, the scenes are obscene but beautiful. Despite a few over-used obscenities ("I don't give two tugs of a dead dog's dick"), it's an absolute pleasure to read. I'm currently reading volume 2, and already checking to see when volume 3 will be released.
July 30, 2015
I got this as a belated birthday present from my amazing girlfriend, Hilary. She is the best book recommender ever.
Transmetropolitan is my favorite comic. Granted, I've only read a handful, but it is absolutely gorgeous and smart. I particularly love the cyberpunk theme and the political arc that eerily parallels Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. Spider Jerusalem is without a doubt the misanthrope I aspire to be.
Transmetropolitan is my favorite comic. Granted, I've only read a handful, but it is absolutely gorgeous and smart. I particularly love the cyberpunk theme and the political arc that eerily parallels Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. Spider Jerusalem is without a doubt the misanthrope I aspire to be.
May 14, 2019
This book is manic brilliance. Every one who loves comics should read this series. The Absolute edition is wonderful and the best way to experience Darick Robertson & Rodney Ramos's Art.
There is an incredible insanity that I have yet to find anywhere else. Warren Ellis, truly, is a mad Bastard.
Read it if you haven't. Read it if you have. It's brilliant.
There is an incredible insanity that I have yet to find anywhere else. Warren Ellis, truly, is a mad Bastard.
Read it if you haven't. Read it if you have. It's brilliant.
April 19, 2020
I am not a hacker, or a cyber-punk, but I loved this series. Spider Jerusalem, the protagonist, is a burnt out, bombastic, psychonaut, gonzo-journalist, inspired by Hunter S. Thompson. The setting is a future dystopia, that is both humorous, and prescient. The artwork is amazing, it is a page turner, and most importantly: It is thoroughly entertaining!
April 3, 2015
Greatest graphic novel of all time.
August 10, 2015
I love Transmet. Always have. Always will. But goddamn is it depressing to read it at the start of an election cycle. Fuck I hate politics.
May 24, 2016
What the fuck did I just read. This is the best thing ever.
February 7, 2019
The medium of comics doesn't just revolve around superheroes alone, its a medium of the artistry and writer to express what they intend to give comic readers that illustrations is not just a man in a cape or a woman with a sword and a shield. Its about writing a good story, with illustrations that really tells a good story that doesn't talk about super powers but a story that talks about without them. I have been a fan of Transmetropolitan before The Authority or The Planetary, two most iconic comics that deals with some what superhero themes. Transmetropolitan is none of that - its about in the future and the people living in a nameless city in the perspective of one Spider Jerusalem, maniac psycho journalist who hates this place. A place where the citizens prefer to believe lies and fantasies and escape the reality of their troubles by shooting up drugs that are legal even if it harms the body, program shows like Sex Muppets that are shown to children is allowed and beating up an old woman who hassle a stranger is okay. No, this is just the side of what Transmetropolitan is - for its actual purpose of reading Transmetropolitan is about how we deal with the truth we kept denying to ourselves.
Collecting from issues #1 to #18, a short story from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #2 and I Hate It Here one-shot special, the Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol.1 is an absolute version to get as it includes not just the above I mention, but also some extras worth reading. To me, this is one edition I have been waiting for to get and when I finally get my hands on it, it completes what as a fan would say, the ultimate edition to own. What is it about? I am sure you have read some of the other reviews by now about this series but I will definitely do a write up but not here - some where where I will be comfortable with to do an absolute writing of Transmetropolitan but for now, this deserves my highest rating. Good binding with a slipcase and oversize, this is one edition that is a must get.
Collecting from issues #1 to #18, a short story from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #2 and I Hate It Here one-shot special, the Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol.1 is an absolute version to get as it includes not just the above I mention, but also some extras worth reading. To me, this is one edition I have been waiting for to get and when I finally get my hands on it, it completes what as a fan would say, the ultimate edition to own. What is it about? I am sure you have read some of the other reviews by now about this series but I will definitely do a write up but not here - some where where I will be comfortable with to do an absolute writing of Transmetropolitan but for now, this deserves my highest rating. Good binding with a slipcase and oversize, this is one edition that is a must get.
January 15, 2022
What can I say? Phenomenal. Genius. Excellent. I loved every minute of it! Originally I wanted to read this book because I wanted to familiarise myself with the cyberpunk genre, but in the end I’ve read a very harsh, yet brutally honest critic about our society. Frankly speaking I can’t really find the words for my review, which is usually not a difficult task to me. This shows, too, how impactful this comic was.
Don’t be surprised: you won’t like Spider Jerusalem, the main protagonist. But let’s be honest, you can hardly disagree with him when it comes to his hilarious, freakishly vulgar, yet serious criticism about the society he lives in. The society we live in, and which we hopefully won’t live in in the near future. His words will make you think, I can guarantee that. It’s interesting to see that despite the fact it was written at the end of the 90s it can be applied quite easily to today, as well. Or more precisely: it can be applied especially to the era, which started with Trump in 2015-2016.
I recommend you to take your time and let the book absorb you into the City. Take a look at every page in a very detailed manner and enjoy these tiny details which add to the amazing experience you’ll have anyways.
The Hungarian translation was fantastic - HUN: ha teheted mindenképp a magyar változatot olvasd el, én szakadtam a dialógusokon. A Transmetropolitan alpárisága kombinálva a magyar nyelv komplex gyönyörével egyenesen büntet. Emelem kalapom a fordító előtt.
I gotta say it was a bit hard to finish the book and leave its world. I’m looking forward to returning to the story in Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol. 2 and 3.
In my opinion, everyone should read this book at least once. This book is a must. A MUST!
Don’t be surprised: you won’t like Spider Jerusalem, the main protagonist. But let’s be honest, you can hardly disagree with him when it comes to his hilarious, freakishly vulgar, yet serious criticism about the society he lives in. The society we live in, and which we hopefully won’t live in in the near future. His words will make you think, I can guarantee that. It’s interesting to see that despite the fact it was written at the end of the 90s it can be applied quite easily to today, as well. Or more precisely: it can be applied especially to the era, which started with Trump in 2015-2016.
I recommend you to take your time and let the book absorb you into the City. Take a look at every page in a very detailed manner and enjoy these tiny details which add to the amazing experience you’ll have anyways.
The Hungarian translation was fantastic - HUN: ha teheted mindenképp a magyar változatot olvasd el, én szakadtam a dialógusokon. A Transmetropolitan alpárisága kombinálva a magyar nyelv komplex gyönyörével egyenesen büntet. Emelem kalapom a fordító előtt.
I gotta say it was a bit hard to finish the book and leave its world. I’m looking forward to returning to the story in Absolute Transmetropolitan Vol. 2 and 3.
In my opinion, everyone should read this book at least once. This book is a must. A MUST!
October 11, 2025
An unlikable protagonist coupled with a very cynical and sarcastic view on the future makes it hard for me to like this book.
I'll start the review with something positive: The artwork is amazing. The amount of detail crammed into the panels, the facial expressions, the sheer number of people, places and technology. It's a very beautiful comic.
Less positive is the writing. It's often long-winded, there's a lot of text boxes and often times I've found myself lost in the rambling. It's a pity, because there are scenes with dialogue that's really good and has my eyes glued to the page. A few scenes later and there's long expositions or inner monologue and the book is losing me.
Even worse is the tone of the book. I know that it's made on purpose this way and I acknowledge that it's just not for me. Still, a protagonists that curses at everyone, constantly smokes, takes drugs and is 100% of the time sarcastic gets old quickly. Then, there's the future and its technologies, which for the most part show how they pervert society or vice versa. Computer on drugs, frozen people from the past rotting in the streets are just two examples. Yuck. It captures the tone of western animation shows like Simpsons, Futurama, American Dad, etc. I loathe them all.
Yet, there's somme interesting parts found in here, even for me. The multi issue story arcs in this collection show that there are clever plot twists or at least story developments, beyond constant background noise of 'the future is here, everything sucks'. I hope this balance will shift in favour of story telling in the next two volumes.
No recommendation from me just yet. I don't need a comic that shows me of how the future will intensify the perversion of society. I can turn on the TV for that.
I'll start the review with something positive: The artwork is amazing. The amount of detail crammed into the panels, the facial expressions, the sheer number of people, places and technology. It's a very beautiful comic.
Less positive is the writing. It's often long-winded, there's a lot of text boxes and often times I've found myself lost in the rambling. It's a pity, because there are scenes with dialogue that's really good and has my eyes glued to the page. A few scenes later and there's long expositions or inner monologue and the book is losing me.
Even worse is the tone of the book. I know that it's made on purpose this way and I acknowledge that it's just not for me. Still, a protagonists that curses at everyone, constantly smokes, takes drugs and is 100% of the time sarcastic gets old quickly. Then, there's the future and its technologies, which for the most part show how they pervert society or vice versa. Computer on drugs, frozen people from the past rotting in the streets are just two examples. Yuck. It captures the tone of western animation shows like Simpsons, Futurama, American Dad, etc. I loathe them all.
Yet, there's somme interesting parts found in here, even for me. The multi issue story arcs in this collection show that there are clever plot twists or at least story developments, beyond constant background noise of 'the future is here, everything sucks'. I hope this balance will shift in favour of story telling in the next two volumes.
No recommendation from me just yet. I don't need a comic that shows me of how the future will intensify the perversion of society. I can turn on the TV for that.
May 14, 2020
The whole world-building aspect of this compendium of the Transmetropolitan comic series is wonderful and engaging. The illustration is so lush in full-spread cityscapes you can sort of geek out like a Where's Waldo on all the clever ephemera of the cyberpunky space (apologies to the illustrator for any casual comparison of your great work with Waldo, just saying...never mind.)
The protagonist, is pretty insufferable and unflappably profane, but well represents the angle needed to showcase the larger environment that is sort of more the star of the series for me. The playing out of decadent Western cultural excess to its logical conclusion is always a fun narrative through line to build a story on and Transmetropolitan did a fine job of bringing it to life.
The protagonist, is pretty insufferable and unflappably profane, but well represents the angle needed to showcase the larger environment that is sort of more the star of the series for me. The playing out of decadent Western cultural excess to its logical conclusion is always a fun narrative through line to build a story on and Transmetropolitan did a fine job of bringing it to life.
July 4, 2018
Entertaining vaguely post-cyberpunk romp through the sci-fi equivalent of Ankh-Morpork. It's a fun read. Even though it's set in a vaguely-dystopian world, it kinda reads as too optimistic in 2018... nobody believes the police would stop murdering people just because they were caught on a livestream. I think a lot of the political things we're supposed to read as shocking just aren't that shocking anymore.
July 13, 2021
Hunter S. Thompson goes cyberpunk.
This work is fun and it's placed on a very cool futuristic setting.
My only complain is that it reads a lot like your typical rebellious teen that is into punk and anarchism and thinks that he has all figure out and he's going to "show them". To much attitude and cheap idealism, to little nuance and depth (compared with works like Grant and Moore). But it's still lots of fun to read.
This work is fun and it's placed on a very cool futuristic setting.
My only complain is that it reads a lot like your typical rebellious teen that is into punk and anarchism and thinks that he has all figure out and he's going to "show them". To much attitude and cheap idealism, to little nuance and depth (compared with works like Grant and Moore). But it's still lots of fun to read.
September 8, 2020
Lit book about a journalist that hates everything of the place he is in but that feeds him up. Hate feeds him and he worls hard to get the truth. Totally politic incorrect and hella weird, where things are everywhere, it’s like new york going wild, a mix of everything you can think of.
Jerusalem is lit, i love the character and is pretty trendy but idk if i’d get book2.
Jerusalem is lit, i love the character and is pretty trendy but idk if i’d get book2.
October 1, 2023
Despise for any form of authority, especially religion and politicians, in full color and graphic creative writing. The world-building is okay, but it could have been much better if the sci-fi aspect of the technologies driving this cyberpunk universe had been better explored, like in the volume dedicated to the Revivals (not coincidentally my favorite).
February 22, 2018
Book one of the complete saga is a bit odd and too heavy on violent and gore to my taste, I can't help to feel that Jerusalem is a version of Alan Moore'Rorschach who got shipped off to a technological world and survived.
March 24, 2020
I love transmet and can't wait to read the next two absolutes. The absolute format is the way to go as you need this art in the over-sized format. This book deserves all the praise it has received over the decades. It is surprising in many ways how close to our reality this story represents.
March 1, 2023
It's been a few years, so re-reading it and enjoying the hell out of all the swear-word acrobatics. The material, unfortunately, aged very well. With Trump era behind us, and technology slowly degrading into the cyber-punk hodge-podge, I do hate Warren for being right on too many accounts.
November 3, 2020
There was never a better time to binge read Transmetropolitan than in the final days of election 2020. The world really needs a Spider Jerusalem.
January 13, 2021
Wow. I haven't read better book in years. I loved it!
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