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Transmetropolitan : Back on the Street Paperback – 24 Nov. 2000

by Warren Ellis (Author), Darick Robertson (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 674 ratings
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"Transmetropolitan...Here is a city filled with every sin you can imagine, and a few that have been imagined for you. Here is Spider Jerusalem, the cranky, miserable bastard who will guide you through this future Babylon. Here is the finest, blackest humour, and a sense of justice hissed through gritted teeth..." -- Garth Ennis, writer of Preacher In anarchic, tradition-trashing style, we're rewinding to the beginning, before the hugely popular Transmetropolitan: The New Scum, to reveal Spider's first story after emerging from his self-imposed five year exile. Warning: Adults only!
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  1. Part of Series
    Transmetropolitan
  2. Print length
    72 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Titan Books Ltd
  5. Publication date
    24 Nov. 2000
  6. ISBN-10
    1840232587
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1840232585
  8. See all details
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Product description

Amazon Review

Warren Ellis (whose recent work includes the excellent The Authority) is a fine comics writer. Spider Jerusalem, his tortured journalist protagonist, is a wonderful creation. Back on the Street is the first in the Transmetropolitan series and essential as an introduction to Spider and his world. Preacher's Garth Ennis introduces the book, rightly praising "the finest, blackest humour, and the purest hate, and a sense of justice hissed through gritted teeth". If the message is sometimes a little heavily, a little clumsily overbearing, this does not detract too much from a great story. Ellis has produced a fine comic series in Transmetropolitan. This is a future classic.

The scenario goes something like this. Spider Jerusalem left the City ages ago and grew an awful lot of hair up on a mountain. The City was just too corrupt, too sinful, too unbearable a place for a journalist with a heightened, if awry, sense of what's right, what's wrong. Then his editor calls. Spider still owes him two books. A contract from way back when. And if he doesn't come up with the goods there will be consequences. Trouble is, Spider can only write when he's in the City, hasn't written a thing since he left. He doesn't want to go back but he has to write, has to go back. So he returns to the trouble and the turmoil, back to the mess that feeds him as a writer and gets himself a story. A punk he used to know, Fred Christ, is causing trouble. Fred is the leader of the Transients (humans knowingly infused with alien genes) and he wants them to have their own land and is ready to lead a rebellion to achieve that end. The authorities, obviously, see things differently. And Spider sees through both group's hypocrisies... --Mark Thwaite

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Titan Books Ltd; New edition (24 Nov. 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 72 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1840232587
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1840232585
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 674 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Darick Robertson

    Darick Robertson

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    Darick Robertson is an American comic book artist, writer and creator with a decades long career in the industry. His notable works include co-creating the award winning “Transmetropolitan”, “The Boys” and “Happy!” He has illustrated for both Marvel and DC Comics on characters including Batman, The Justice League, Wolverine, The Punisher and Spider-man.

    www.DarickRobertson.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. Warren Ellis

    Warren Ellis

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Warren Ellis is the author of the Amazon Top 100 2016 book NORMAL and the New York Times- bestselling GUN MACHINE, the writer of award-winning graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, PLANETARY and FELL, and is the creator and writer of global top ten streaming hit show CASTLEVANIA on Netflix.

    The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. His GRAVEL books are in development for film at Legendary Pictures. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He's also written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters.

    Read and subscribe to his free weekly newsletter with updates on work and likes at https://buttondown.email/orbitaloperations and orbitaloperations.com.

    Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
674 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the visual design wonderful, hilarious, and enjoyable. They also appreciate the serious tone without too much schlock. Readers describe the craftsmanship as good. They find the story intriguing and delightfully sadistic. They mention the main character is interesting and fun. Overall, customers say the book is one of their favorite comics.

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HumorCharactersCraftsmanshipStoryVisual design
9 customers mention ‘Humor’9 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book hilarious, interesting, and fun to follow. They also appreciate the serious tone without too much schlock.

"...Anyway, these books are hilarious...." Read more

"...It is a great mix of dark humour, social comment and futurism bound together by the brilliant although rather violent, often obnoxious, drug..." Read more

"...The first story in the volume is enjoyable, but the other two feel like filler...." Read more

"Warren Ellis shows what a great writer he is in this witty, funny and edgy series...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Characters’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the main character interesting and fun. They also say the book is excellent and one of their favourite comics.

"...Spider Jerusalem is a fantastic, intriguing and delightfully sadistic protagonist and you'll keep reading just to see what his next move/assault..." Read more

"The worldbuilding in this series is excellent and the main character is pretty interesting and fun to follow...." Read more

"Bought to add to a collection. Very good quality. One of my favourite comics, love the serious tone without too much schlock." Read more

"...I liked the strangeness and personality of the comic." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Craftsmanship’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the craftsmanship of the book. They also say it's of good quality and very good all round.

"Bought to add to a collection. Very good quality. One of my favourite comics, love the serious tone without too much schlock." Read more

"Good quality, good service" Read more

"Excellent condition, no printing errors, no signs of wear or storage markings." Read more

"Quality service quality product!" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Story’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the story intriguing and delightfully sadistic.

"...Anyway, these books are hilarious. Spider Jerusalem is a fantastic, intriguing and delightfully sadistic protagonist and you'll keep reading just to..." Read more

"This is the most addictive book I've ever read. More so than Game of Thrones...." Read more

"Loved reading this so much I struggled to put down, funny, engaging, rude, well drawn...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Visual design’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the wonderful art style in the book.

"...this so much I struggled to put down, funny, engaging, rude, well drawn. Enjoyed it so much bought the next two before I finished this one." Read more

"Just the best. The artwork and writing create a world where everything and everyone is connected.Still relevant today...." Read more

"Great read and wonderful art style..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Will-El
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, thorught-provoking and unique
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2012
Verified Purchase
Transmetropolitan seems to serve two purposes.
The first is a cultural satire, a glance into where the western world is headed. The world and its characters are reflections of everything wrong (and, occasionally, right) with the world, but its been exaggerated, doused with hyperbole to an hilarious degree.
The second is an excuse for Warren Ellis to rant and rave about everything that frustrates him personally, be it media, religion or politics (it's all three and more). In that sense, the books greatly remind me of South Park, and there's not a thing wrong with that!

Anyway, these books are hilarious. Spider Jerusalem is a fantastic, intriguing and delightfully sadistic protagonist and you'll keep reading just to see what his next move/assault will be. The book is extremely eye-opening, showing its readers just where our society is headed and it doesn't do it in a sickening, gritty manner; it does it with humour, wit and slapstick.

The characters, setting and situations of the stories in Transmetropolitan are fantastic, I can't stress that enough. Go get this and revel in the hilarity and insanity of Spider Jerusalem and the world in which he lives.
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James Powell
5.0 out of 5 stars Two tugs of a dead dogs c**k
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2013
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After reading Freakangels I wanted to read more from Warren Ellis and rather randomly chose this because it looked cool.
I have just ordered vols 4 & 5 and I can't put them down once they arrive.
It is a great mix of dark humour, social comment and futurism bound together by the brilliant although rather violent, often obnoxious, drug devouring Spider Jerusalem.
There are elements of 2000AD at its best from back in the day but for grown ups this time.
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Nat A
4.0 out of 5 stars The worldbuilding in this series is excellent and the main character is pretty interesting and fun ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2018
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The worldbuilding in this series is excellent and the main character is pretty interesting and fun to follow. The first story in the volume is enjoyable, but the other two feel like filler. I had no problem with them but I hope the series evolves into more than just Spider shouting at people.
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T J GARROD
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the most addictive book I've ever read. ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 December 2015
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This is the most addictive book I've ever read. More so than Game of Thrones. By the second book I'd resolved myself to buy the rest, next time I went to the comic book store. Having got there, I realised that practically, two of them would fit in my bag. Two is enough for one week, trust me. Don't abuse this s***, make it last
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DanDee
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Written Comics of all time
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2013
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Warren Ellis shows what a great writer he is in this witty, funny and edgy series. Transmetrompolitan is filled with subtext and social commentary by showing what the future could very well look like if the world keeps going as it is. Very ahead of it's time. I recommend this to anyone who reads more than just Superhero comics.
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Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Just buy it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 January 2016
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An introduction to the life of Spider Jerusalem, it builds up a picture of his personality and feels like the foundation of something great. Stick with it and by the end you'll be dying for vol 2
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Kamil D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Hits hard but true - more relevant than ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2018
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The paper is not of the best quality - but man, the story just sucks you in, chews, and spits out whatever's left.
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Anna panton
5.0 out of 5 stars A favourite
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2017
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Bought to add to a collection. Very good quality. One of my favourite comics, love the serious tone without too much schlock.
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Top reviews from other countries

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DVF
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, totally original and a great character I think connects with everyone in some level
Reviewed in the United States on 6 November 2023
Verified Purchase
Yeah I was a little uncertain when i took the 1st volume out to read and before I was finished got the next 9 so I can read the entire series lol. The art was fantastic and while some it at times looks like The Boys art, it's the same artist, the art in this is also totally different from it and wholly original. And in some small way I think all the things Spider feels and spews out his mouth, touches on things that I think everyone has felt or thought about certain things in our culture and world. Maybe not as seriously or angrily or even as crazy as Spider but maybe a degree or 2 lol. Also like the assistant angle i really like and i am excited to see her character expand and where her relationship with Spider goes. Really give it a little bit and let the sotry just take over and you'll not want to put this book down. At least that's how I felt. Highly recommended and can't wait to read the next volume.
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Pablo8a
5.0 out of 5 stars Una joya poco conocida.
Reviewed in Mexico on 28 June 2020
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Inceiblemenge divertido totalmente recomendable.
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Rodger McLaren
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
Reviewed in Australia on 2 August 2020
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just as described
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars perfetto
Reviewed in Italy on 12 October 2016
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libro bellissimo consigliato uno dei migliori fumetti di sempre. disegni imperdibili. storia affascinante. un vero capolavoro da avere in tutte le librerie.
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Loki
5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing And Beautiful Work Of Comic Genius
Reviewed in Canada on 4 August 2016
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Transmetropolitan is a graphic novel set in a science fiction setting starring Spider Jerusalem, who is for all intents and purposes, Hunter S. Thompson. But this is not a simple parody, the writer demonstrates a deep understanding of his character. It IS Hunter. For instance, and I will try to avoid spoilers wherever possible, at one point Spider's assistant criticizes him because his Ex-Wife has gone into cryostasis and won't come out until he's dead. Spider replies “Who told you that?” she points at him angrily and says “You did.” For some people this is just meaningless banter, but that is exactly what Hunter was like. For instance in his feuds with Garry Trudeau, the author of Doonesbury, Hunter became quite paranoid trying to figure out how Trudeau was learning all of his secrets, but he was getting all of his information from Hunter's articles. Hunter despised cartoons, and I can only assume he would have nothing but contempt for this comic. But screw what he thinks, this is a classic. Crank up the violence by a factor of 10, to the point that Spider can be somewhat homicidal at times, set it in a rich detailed world that describes a future which is both amazing, but also very human, and mirrors our own society in all the important ways, throw in a bowel disruptor, and bring everything together with the artistic genius of a master doing his own best work, with beautiful scenes full of an endless array of little details, tiny things, throwaway jokes. It adds up to a very beautiful and wonderful overall work. Rather than 1984 or Brave New World, I think we are condemned to a future like this. A world full of slimy politicians and thuggish police, where the rich live in extravagant luxury while vast swaths of people are condemned to a meager existence in slums and ghettos, living on the street and pumping their bodies full of many new, strange and dangerous narcotics, and modifying their bodies with technology and surgical alteration. Spider enjoys many of these vices and demands a shopping list full of drugs such as Vasopressin, Washed Caffeine, Jumpstart, Ginko Biloba, Guarana, and Intelligence Enhancers in order to get his article done. The dealer is perplexed by this and writes him off as a health freak. Spider's first story is very interesting, reminiscent of the social media craze of modern day society, and the scene where Spider encounters the first transient is particularly satisfying. Many of the things described in this book are no longer science fiction. Pulling out a laptop and broadcasting your opinions is no longer a novelty or a fantasy, it is a part of everyday life. We may not have widespread use of our sunglasses to take pictures and video, but everyone has a camera now. What we do not have is the makers, which are sort of like the replicators in Star Trek, however Transmetropolitan has it's own warped take on this, where Spider's maker is addicted to drugs it manufactures itself, and most people are too poor to afford them anyway. There is a classic retelling of Hunter's encounter with Richard Nixon in a bathroom, and Spider also tackles television, and there is a religious scene which mirrors an angry Jesus Christ. Overall it is just a fantastic story, and any fan of Hunter Thompson, or just a fan of good science fiction and well written mature graphic novels, or beautiful artwork, should definitely pick this up. I look forward to reading and reviewing the entire ten part series. It is a crime against humanity that this has not been made into either a film starring Johnny Depp, or an anime series covering the entire plot arc, or even a TV show. It's probably the best Graphic Novel I've ever read, and you should read it too. Do yourself a favor, then tell a friend.
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