Transmetropolitan: Back on the Street

Spider Jerusalem is a popular if rather unwilling journalist. Having written two successful books he disappears off into the mountains to get away from the futuristic city he has earned his reputation writing about. But five years on, with nothing left but a lot of hair, his debts catch up with him, drawing him back to the city.

This is where we start with Transmetropolitan. Back on the Street, the first volume in the series, takes Jerusalem through the discovery, research and writing of the story he stumbles across on his return to the city. In Jerusalem, writer Warren Ellis has created a bizarre mix of investigative reporter, violent activist and provocateur. He sees journalism as a weapon for revealing hidden truths and uncovering corruption, though his means for getting a story aren't as honest as the morals in his finished work might imply.

Ellis creates a bleak near-future world, filled with characters designed to show us how even the good guys can be a long way from heroes. This is well complemented by Robertson's drawing, fleshing out both character and background to good effect.

There's no doubting that this is a series for mature readers, though this initial book should pull most people who aren't afraid of (or even relish) a little strong content into wanting to read more. Look beyond the surface and there's more at work here than simple story-telling. This book looks at political concepts you won't be used to dealing with in comics, especially science fiction themed comics. This is good stuff. Have a read, if you think you can handle it.