Top Five Graphic Novels of All Time Countdown – #2
Top Five Graphic Novels of All Time Countdown
5. Jinx by Brian Michael Bendis
4. Finder by Carla Speed McNeil
3. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
2. Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis and Derrick Robertson
“My household appliance is on drugs. Horrible.”
With one line I was in for the long haul. When Transmetropolitan number 1 was released I picked it up on a whim and the fact that the guy at my shop said Ellis was Garth Ennis’ drinking buddy. It was year two of DC’s science fiction Helix line, a science fiction version of Vertigo, the following year it would close and the only title to remain would be Transmet. Transmet is the little comic series that shouldn’t have, but did. Even Ellis’ was surprised by its success, the first year o
f the comic was composed entirely of world building with only hints and set up the world of the lead Character Spider Jerusalem and what was to come, but nothing that would leave readers in the lurch if the series was cancelled in that first year. To date it is the only long running series that I picked up every single release day of its entire run. Over the time of its publication the series became the cornerstone of Ellis’ career, he went from being someone who had a different take on
superheroes, to one of the most important writers in comics. It was a series that explored American Politics as it became not a place of serious and important political debate but as it became infotainment.
The first year was based around introducing the characters and the world itself was, humans genetically switching to aliens leading a revolt against the city, politics, Television, religion, transhumanisim, how history influences the present. Also it contained issue #8 “Another Cold Morning” which is possibly one of the best single issues in all of comics. “Another Cold Morning” stands strong, after 7 issues of Spider railing against the society and world that surrounds him with violent anger and a healthy dose of swearing and cursing in his role as editorial journalist we are presented with a much softer side of the man. He does not hate to hate, he isn’t angry for anger’s sake, he is angry because we could be, should be and deserve to be so much more. Transmetropolitan isn’t just about an angry journalist railing against the world, it’s about a man who desperately wants to make the world a better place, and is shouting at the rest of us to ensure it does get better.
Year two the story opens up, and goes into high gear as Spider’s old nemesis The President of America AKA “The Beast” is running for re-election against his liberal opponent “The Smiler”. As someone who came of age under Thatcher you’d expect Ellis and Spider to side with the liberal opponent, but instead he slowly reveals a sinister and manipulative politician who will do anything it takes to win. It becomes an examination of the American Political system and how it manipulates it populace, how it becomes less about issues and what is needed, and more about vying for votes and pandering to lesser natures, a corruption of what it meant to be. As Dark and seemingly hopeless a stance and perspective the series can be it is also filled with hope, and the idea that those who wish to do better and make the wor
ld better need only speak out when needed, shout if necessary, and throttle those who would keep them silent.
As the series continues you see Spider fighting to show the people of The City who they are, where they come from and what they can be. The series was also has a distinct air or prescience as it was a series that came into it popularity while the George W. Bush administration was coming into power and the abuses that followed. The idea that the president is an absolute unquestionable authority is the norm under a regime where the freedoms that make the United States what it is are worn away. Under President Smiler America become an oppressive state, not for any other reason than he feels entitled to the position, but all he wants to do is fuck with the people under him because it amuses him to do so.
The series ran for sixty issues with a few short pieces in various Vertigo compilations, and even ten years later each issue contains a thought process and a perspective on the world that continues to resonate. And considering the recent announcement of Google’s interactive glasses to be released at the end of this year how far behind are the phone traits that you download directly into your head? The series makes reference to things and events that we have yet to see in our culture as a hundred years prior, but honestly much of this series could be our own future within the next twenty years. Science Fiction is the genre that best reveal humanity to itself, it postulates our future and makes us ask questions of ourselves. In a world where 
the divide between the 1% rich and the 99% of the rest of us is growing, the World of Transmetropolitan can’t be that far ahead of us as originally thought.
The other part of the creative team should not be left out either, as Darick Robertson’s art and characters are not only vivid and real people, but the world is so clearly of it’s own. Every aspect of the world is clear and distinct from the rich to the poor to the working class to the various cultures that inhabit The City ensuring that it comes alive as every word on the page hints at. From the various police officer, to Spider’s Filthy Assistants, the cars, the weapons, to the Adult thug version of Charlie Brown who is beaten up several times at Jerusalem’s hands, each character is their own and very distinctive. Each page is an example of exquisite storytelling and style, and each issue filled with memorable moments.
In the end this is a series worth reading for the wisdom, hope and moral stance it takes. And because it tells us to do better and how much better we can be.
Transmetropolitan is available through Vertigo comics in ten volumes written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Darick Robertson
