TRANSMETROPOLITAN #59
"The Long Day Closes"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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DC Comics/Vertigo imprint
Writer: Warren Ellis
Pencils: Darick Robertson
Inks: Rodney Ramos
Colors: Nathan Eyring
Letters: Clem Robins
Editor: Heidi MacDonald
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
When this series began, I was drawn in by its intensity, its extreme exploration of the importance of journalism... and its cynicism. Imagine my surprise to discover that as the series nears its conclusion, that cynicism has been shoved aside for something different... for hope. Though it's still a political fantasy, Ellis opts for optimism, writing about the notion of an innate sense of responsibility in society, of a point at which apathy is eradicated.
Though soldiers continue to march through the streets of the City and the media remains under a censorship order, Spider Jerusalem -- and the country -- has won. The Smiler's is all but over. Some of his crimes stand exposed, and those not yet uncovered are in the process of being brought to light. Impeachment seems a foregone conclusion, so why does he choose to travel to the City, the site of his ultimate defeat? And why does Spider decide to greet him?
As the book opens, the City -- and the art -- is bathed in a sense of grey. We're told that victory has arrived, but it doesn't really feel like. People are dead, guns are aimed and fires rage, and the art reflects that unfortunate feeling. But later on, as Spider confronts Callahan, white backgrounds pop up. The simplicity of the scene brings brightness, and reinforces the sense of hope that permeates the book as well, despite the President's ranting.
Of course, these two moods, the two visual tones, also reflect Spider's state of mind. In the first half, his condition is worsening. He stumbles, he's fuzzy. But when faced with Callahan, he's focused, clever and practically gleeful. I find it interesting that even when sick, his ultimate goal is truth, not social justice. Callahan is finished, so in essence, Spider's job is done. But he's after the truth, right from the horse's mouth. Nothing else will do as far as Spider's concerned.
Ellis suggests that there's a point at which even the most apathetic among us will say, "Enough." There's only so much political bullshit that people can stand, and here, we see what happens when that line is crossed. It's an encouraging thought. So much corruption and pettiness is paraded right in front of us every day in Western society, and the only thing that changes is that occasionally, different people lead the parade. It's shameful, really, that we can't see more of ourselves in the people in this story. Ellis reminds us what the term revolution really means.
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