Does Transmetropolitan get any better?

[Fred Star]

Hi all - With the exception of Maus, which I have read at least once a year for over the past 10 year, I am new to comics and have found these forums really helpful in getting info on what trades to read. Not really being a big fan of men in tights, I have discovered that the Vertigo trades are the books for me. Recently I discovered Preacher and was blown away by its radical ideas, audacity, shock value and compelling characters. I'm half way through Sandman now and finding that although it is not as initially addictive as Preacher, it is rapidly growing on me and I'm quickly realising why so many people love it.

So, from searching through this forum it became apparent that Transmetropolitan seemed like the next comic for me to read. But I'm really struggling to enjoy it and was wondering if I should persit. I've read the first 3 trades and thought number 1 was OK, 2 was a chore to get through and 3 showed promise towards the end. I realise a lot of people who know far more about comics than I do rate it highly so given my reaction to it so far should I re-read these first three trades and give the next few a try or should I count my loses, accept that it's not for me and move on to something else?

Thanks for any advice that you feel inclined to give!

[MrPunch0]

If the first three trades haven't grabbed you I don't know that the rest of the story will do much for you.

Personally, I love it. But it's not for everyone. :)

[-Sven-]

I'd say that the "Year of the Bastard"-Trade captures the tone and vibe of the series as a whole pretty good, so given the fact that you didn't enjoy the first two very much but found something in Nr. 3 you liked I recommend to at least pick up the fourth Trade, which rounds out the whole presidential election-story.

Also, Trades Nr. 4-6 are my favourite ones in the series, so yeah, keep going.

[Cash Lone]

Three trades worth and still not digging it? Drop it.

[spaz]

Read the whole series. Wasn't my cup of tea. Much better comics out there than Transmetropoliton IMHO

[Ilash]

I adore Transmet but if you're not feeling it after the second trade, there's really no point in carrying on. Trade number 2 is still the highlight for me and is probably the most representative of the series so if you didn't like that, I wouldn't bother with any more.

As for other Vertigo stuff, have you tried Fables? It's probably the best series out there right now but I should warn you that it does take a while to really get going. Still, try out the first trade (which I think goes for a mere $10) and if you like that you should LOVE what comes later.

[Lance]

Read the whole series. Wasn't my cup of tea. Much better comics out there than Transmetropoliton IMHO

What would you consider "much better"?

[Jack Zodiac]

Claremont's Exiles, apparently.

I thought Transmet was an amazing book that embellished societal quirks in a political landscape with tremendously exaggerated characters. That's not everyone's idea of an interesting book, though, and after the first three trades, if you aren't interested, you won't be, because it's pretty easy to get a feel for the thematics of the series after even just the first trade.

[Expletive Deleted]

Three trades worth and still not digging it? Drop it.What he said.

Personally, I thought YEAR OF THE BASTARD was the apex of TRANSMET. If it doesn't really do it for you, I don't think going deeper into the series is going to change your mind.

[stealthwise]

My favourite trade was the second one, which consisted of Ellis writing in a mad-dash attempt to get all of the cool ideas he had down while he thought the book was on the chopping block.

So yeah, if you don't like it by the end of book three, you're unlikely to suddenly start loving it.

[Fred Star]

Thanks for all your replies and advice folks! You’ve all confirmed for me that if I’m not getting into Transmetropolitan by now then it probably isn’t my thing.

I think the problem is that I really wanted to like it! I love Hunter S Thompson, and have read almost everything he ever wrote. I also love Philip K Dick-style-sci-fic, so I figured that Transmetropolitan would be a natural fit for me.

I may still give The New Scum a read someday because I was starting to enjoy the whole political aspect. In the meantime I’ll go with the suggestion to start reading Fables because that does sound great.

Thanks again – your opinions and thoughts are much appreciated!

[MichaelMogg]

I know you already made up your mind, and I'm late to the party so to speak, but I'll still say that I think Transmet does improve as it goes on. From what I remember, although I can't remember the story-arch names, there were two archs that were six issues long, and I just thought that was too long. I found the 3 issue archs were much more concise and energetic, whereas the others bloated and sluggish.

My advice would be take a break, but don't forget about it. Maybe come back to it at a later time. If you have a chance to read them via a library or something, that would be swell too. :)

Enjoy Fables, by the way, it does indeed kick ass. :D

[rerun]

You can't go wrong by picking up Fables. A great read- very Sandman-ish.

[stealthwise]

You can't go wrong by picking up Fables. A great read- very Sandman-ish.

Not really.

I understand why people like Fables, but I find it to be very boring, and unworthy of the great high concept. The only thing "Sandman-ish" about it is the actual concept also, as I find the characters pretty bland and the stories themselves completely forgettable overall.

My suggestion for another read would be Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, all of which is now available in tpb. Excellent, mindblowing stuff.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

You can't go wrong by picking up Fables. A great read- very Sandman-ish.

I like them both, but they aren't the same at all.

Sandman uses mythology and fairy tales to explore the myths, where as Fables uses them to do a Claremont X-men style story.
Both are good, but they aren't the same.

[Majinlex]

I had a problem with Transmet at the start too. I thought "Ok, he's an asshole. I get it. Move on." My friend who was loaning them to me made me stick with it and I'm really glad I did. If you liked Rorschach's Never Compromise riff, you'll get it in spades with Transmetropolitan. In fact, Warren Ellis will probably smack you over the head with the spade.

[MartinRedmond]

The begining is my favorite. If you don't like it, you won't like the book at all. Expect easy/crude humor. I thought it was pretty funny. It's not meant to be taken seriously.

[stealthwise]

I like them both, but they aren't the same at all.

Sandman uses mythology and fairy tales to explore the myths, where as Fables uses them to do a Claremont X-men style story.
Both are good, but they aren't the same.

Hehe, that's a much nicer way to say what I just said. :)

[Fred Star]

My suggestion for another read would be Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, all of which is now available in tpb. Excellent, mindblowing stuff.

Actually Swamp Thing is another tpb that I have been considering since I have enjoyed most of the Alan Moore stuff that I have read so far. I also want to look into Hellblazer at some point too and I figured that I might enjoy it more if I've read Swamp Thing first.

Should I read just Moore's run on Swamp Thing or is it worth sticking with after he stopped writing it?

(Sorry, I've kind of gone off topic here...)

[stealthwise]

Actually Swamp Thing is another tpb that I have been considering since I have enjoyed most of the Alan Moore stuff that I have read so far. I also want to look into Hellblazer at some point too and I figured that I might enjoy it more if I've read Swamp Thing first.

Should I read just Moore's run on Swamp Thing or is it worth sticking with after he stopped writing it?

Well, a few months ago I got the first trade of Veitch's run and...

it's not bad, but the dialogue is clunky at times, and he tries a bit too hard to be like Moore. Honestly, I believe that the whole series and franchise should have folded once Moore left the title.

[Lance]

Actually Swamp Thing is another tpb that I have been considering since I have enjoyed most of the Alan Moore stuff that I have read so far. I also want to look into Hellblazer at some point too and I figured that I might enjoy it more if I've read Swamp Thing first.

Should I read just Moore's run on Swamp Thing or is it worth sticking with after he stopped writing it?


That's how I read it. Swamp Thing, then Hellblazer. It's the way to go if you ask me.

Honestly, I believe that the whole series and franchise should have folded once Moore left the title.

Exactly. This last series with Diggle was just horrible.

Just close the book on Swamp Thing.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Well, a few months ago I got the first trade of Veitch's run and...

it's not bad, but the dialogue is clunky at times, and he tries a bit too hard to be like Moore. Honestly, I believe that the whole series and franchise should have folded once Moore left the title.

He does do some great inventive layouts though.

[spaz]

What would you consider "much better"?

Actually I'm biased because I hate politics and I love the super-hero genre. But Fables, 100 Bullets, and Y-Man are better reads although I'm not up-to-date with the issues. And I love Warren Ellis. I just couldn't get into Transmetropoliton. Didn't care for the main character. I find his other works like Global Frequency, Planetary, the Authority, and even NEXTWAVE more entertaining.

[dancj]

Actually Swamp Thing is another tpb that I have been considering since I have enjoyed most of the Alan Moore stuff that I have read so far. I also want to look into Hellblazer at some point too and I figured that I might enjoy it more if I've read Swamp Thing first.

Should I read just Moore's run on Swamp Thing or is it worth sticking with after he stopped writing it?

(Sorry, I've kind of gone off topic here...)
I think Rick Veitch's run is worth reading. After that you can skip straight to Mark Millar's run (which for some bizarre reason isn't out in trade yet) and then there's pretty much nothing else worth reading for the character.

[MartinRedmond]

Why would anyone on earth read Hellblazer?

[stealthwise]

Why would anyone on earth read Hellblazer?

Because it ROCKS.

[brundlefly]

Because it ROCKS.

Word. John Constantine is easily one of my all-time favorite comic book characters.

While on the topic of Andy Diggle: I didn't care for his try at Swamp Thing, but he's currently firing on all cylinders on Hellblazer. Best that book has been in a while.

I enjoyed Veitch's Swamp Thing, but he had a hard act to follow in Alan Moore and he tends to suffer in comparison to his predecessor.

[MartinRedmond]

You know, my favorite Hellblazer cover is the one where he is standing in front of a brick wall wearing a trench coat and smoking a cigarette. It's very diverse.

[brundlefly]

You know, my favorite Hellblazer cover is the one where he is standing in front of a brick wall wearing a trench coat and smoking a cigarette. It's very diverse.

Ah, now I see. Your opinion is based on looking at the covers, not actually reading the comics themselves. That would explain your perplexing dislike of Hellblazer. :D

[Jack Zodiac]

Nope, Marty's just a mouthy ass. He rarely adds anything to conversation, we just keep him around because he's amusing.

[Aubergine~!]

The begining is my favorite. If you don't like it, you won't like the book at all. Expect easy/crude humor. I thought it was pretty funny. It's not meant to be taken seriously.

Yeah, the Transient Riot story arc pretty much encapsulates the entire series for me. If you liked that, then you'll probably like the rest of the series.

[ultramandingo]

Why would anyone on earth read Hellblazer?

.....created by allan moore - writen by deleno, gamian, ennis, ellis ect.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

.....created by allan moore - writen by deleno, gamian, ennis, ellis ect.

Why would anyone on earth respond to MartinRedmond?

[brundlefly]

Why would anyone on earth respond to MartinRedmond?

That was my mistake as well, before Jack enlightened me. Live and learn....