Transmetropolitan Vol. 10: One More Time

June 14, 2004 | Trades

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Transmetropolitan Vol. 10: One More Time
Warren Ellis, Darick Robertson, Rodney Ramos
Vertigo/DC Comics
$22.95/$14.95 (Paperback)
**** 1/2 (out of five)

They say all good things must end, but few things in recent memory have been wrapped up with such a beautiful bow on them like Transmetropolitan.
Arguably the best Vertigo title so far, Transmet followed the messed up life of Hunter S. Thompson-esque journalist Spider Jerusalem in his quest to complete a book deal and retire to his mountaintop cabin.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the storyline of the series — that Spider is a maniacal reporter in a bizarre, futuristic world who is determined to end the regime of the corrupt and nefarious President (no matter what the cost) — it is important to remember the beginning.
Spider was happily retired. He had done his time on the political beat. He was done.
But a phone call and a threat of a crushing lawsuit if he didn’t pony up a couple of tomes ASAP had him running back to The City, where he returned to his job penning the column: I Hate It Here.
In the course of digging through the dirt and bringing people the truth, Jerusalem turned the tide of a Presidential election, deposing an old enemy as president and making a new one. But things turned sour along the way when Spider found out he’s dying. He’s developed a neurological disease and is fading fast.
One More Time is the stunning and satisfying conclusion to this five-year finite series that sees Spider’s last burst of journalistic frenzy as he attempts to take down the new president once and for all. But will the effort cost him his chance for happiness back on his mountain — or worse, his life?
While it’s sad to see such an original piece of dark comedy and thought-provoking material go, Transmetropolitan’s payoff was worth five years of waiting and creators Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson are to be commended on this outstanding achievement.

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