Transmetropolitan means something in my language. It translates to ‘My new favorite series’.

Oh my god, I cannot believe how much fun this first volume turned out to be. It caught my eye awhile back and I’ve heard great things about it. Well this was item #1 on my ‘FCBD’ grand sale at my LCS and let me tell you all who havent read it. It’s well worth your time.

It’s basically putting fame journalist Hunter S. Thompson in a futuristic setting….just replace the name to Spider Jerusalem and it’s pretty much the same character. I loved how far Ellis went in this series. I mean it’s only the first volume and we get a ton of nudity; violence; cats peeing everywhere; you name it! In fact I would say this is the most urination I have seen in a comic. That might not be something to be proud of for most writers; but for Ellis I would consider it an accomplishment. Anyways this was very funny to read. It can be a bit confusing sometimes; cause we have to have so many futuristic products and ‘whatamacallits’ to describe. But this is basically how journalists work….well journalists with drug and drinking problems. There is a lot of laughs to be had in this series though; especially towards the end where Spider visits a religious convention and just goes ape shit on everyone. That basically describes the end of each issue.

The art by Robertson is just perfect for this series. There is a ton of detail in the background of this. We are told over and over again on how ‘alive’ this city is so it’s amazing to see how much one man can put into one background in one panel. Each character is unique and has a trademark to distinguish themselves from the rest. I dont know how Robertson came up with the glasses Spider wears; but I would love to get my hands on a pair. Ironically Robertson does the art for another trade I got this weekend; The Boys. So I know at least the art in that series will be top notch.

So this is definitely the first priority for me to get all the trades. Now Vertigo is reprinting the trades and I am debating whether to wait for each new reprinting or get the old volumes. I’ll probably go with the latter but whatever I buy, or you buy, it’s just something you need to get. Warren Ellis doesnt hold back and this is one of the funniest comics I have read that doesnt have ‘Deadpool’ on the cover. I’m so gald that this was such a great read; really am.