TRANSMETROPOLIAN #49
"Here Comes the Sun"
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 |
Despite the grisly fate awaiting the lead character, Ellis gets back to an idea that dominated earlier issues of this series: the sheer joy of journalism. Hunting after leads, tracking down sources... Ellis taps into the thrill here, and it rings true despite the fantastic setting and circumstances of the story.
Spider Jerusalem, accompanied by assistants Channon and Yelena, ventures in the City's disaster zone, where federal help has been slow in coming. They ponder what Callahan is trying to accomplish, and when Spider is struck by inspiration, the Filthry Assistants are forced to chase him down the street (and on top of cars) as he heads off to "interview" a prominent figure who might have some answers.
Somehow, the art in this issue seemed more focused on the characters' faces than usual. I can't really put my finger on it, and I'm not complaining. The story is more focused on Spider and his determination, and the art seems to reflect that. Robertson's vision of a disaster zone in the City is particularly chilling in the context of Sept.11. Sadly, the world has plenty of evidence of how convincingly the artists convey such a horrific scene.
Spider Jerusalem sprints madly over traffic in this story, on the trail of a lead. His relish is clear. I can understand it. I'm a journalist by trade, and as the world reeled from what was arguably the most horrific day in history, I was speeding down a highway to the U.S./Canada border, headed to cover a related story about heightened security at customs checkpoints. Though a pall was cast over the world, I was pumped, chomping at the bit to see what was happening between Houlton, Maine and Woodstock, New Brunswick. Morbid? Maybe, but it's also human nature. Ellis captures that thrill perfectly.
Transmetropolitan is a title about journalism and politics. It's about truth and corruption. Most importantly right now, though, it's about violence and freedom. We have an entirely new context in which to look at our lives and the world in which we live. We also have a new context in which to examine provocative fiction, like Transmetropolitan. I suggest we all take a look.
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