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doctorwithoutboundaries's review against another edition
3.0
Ellis is at his best when he writes about politics, and the presidential candidates’ scenes in this book are riveting, eerily mirroring the current US election cycle. I won’t soon forget Spider’s interview of “The Beast”, the spitting image of a corrupt politician who preys on the electorate’s fears.
Another takeaway from this is the subtle tweaking of Spider’s character, so that he’s less of a caricature, even if his edge is slightly blunted. It’s interesting to see Ellis subvert his own subversive hero—but it’s depicted realistically, as Spider momentarily drops the pretence to show us that cynicism is a perversion of idealism.
However, Ellis doesn’t match his own standards in this volume. Like Spider, the writing, too, feels subdued when compared to the previous books, and the journalistic pieces seem to have lost their venom. Most disappointingly, the secondary characters are flat; after finally giving women prominent roles, the book fails the Bechdel test monumentally.
So while I enjoyed the first half of the book, the rest was—dare I say it—boring. I’m going to assume that this tonal shift and dangerously thin plotting is only perceptible in middle-of-the-series issues, as Ellis sets up his concluding books. Thankfully, Robertson’s artwork hasn’t dipped in quality. He still conveys the sprawling, buzzing chaos of the “The City” extraordinarily.
My reviews of the Transmetropolitan series:
1. ‘Back on the Street’
2. ‘Lust for Life’
3. ‘Year of the Bastard’
5. ‘Lonely City’
6. ‘Gouge Away’
7. ‘Spider’s Thrash’
8. ‘Dirge’
9. ‘The Cure’
10. ‘One More Time’
Another takeaway from this is the subtle tweaking of Spider’s character, so that he’s less of a caricature, even if his edge is slightly blunted. It’s interesting to see Ellis subvert his own subversive hero—but it’s depicted realistically, as Spider momentarily drops the pretence to show us that cynicism is a perversion of idealism.
However, Ellis doesn’t match his own standards in this volume. Like Spider, the writing, too, feels subdued when compared to the previous books, and the journalistic pieces seem to have lost their venom. Most disappointingly, the secondary characters are flat; after finally giving women prominent roles, the book fails the Bechdel test monumentally.
So while I enjoyed the first half of the book, the rest was—dare I say it—boring. I’m going to assume that this tonal shift and dangerously thin plotting is only perceptible in middle-of-the-series issues, as Ellis sets up his concluding books. Thankfully, Robertson’s artwork hasn’t dipped in quality. He still conveys the sprawling, buzzing chaos of the “The City” extraordinarily.
My reviews of the Transmetropolitan series:
1. ‘Back on the Street’
2. ‘Lust for Life’
3. ‘Year of the Bastard’
5. ‘Lonely City’
6. ‘Gouge Away’
7. ‘Spider’s Thrash’
8. ‘Dirge’
9. ‘The Cure’
10. ‘One More Time’
squamdog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
erratastigmata's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
odin45mp's review against another edition
5.0
Ellis continues the wild ride he started in volume 3, with the political race coming to a close on election night. The personal and the professional stories that wind together between Spider and his journalist connections and the political figures in their crosshairs was compelling. I also liked the way we stopped to reflect on the "New Scum" of the volume title and the story arc in the individual issues. These are the people that have been forgotten - intentionally in many cases - by the powerful and the authority figures who are supposed to be protecting them. You feel for them. You want the rich to be brought low. But as in real life, money can buy a lot of things, including secrets and privilege.
luminance2687's review against another edition
4.0
The story continues! If you read this, #3 and #5 will be required reading as well. Very little happens, and it’s not as clever nor edgy as the first 3. I anxiously await better things from number 5!
guppyur's review against another edition
2.0
Lame transitional volume. Necessary, maybe, but not much here to sink your teeth into.
ppetropoulakis's review against another edition
3.0
The election results declare a new president that does not like Spider Jerusalem. Not much happens in this volume but still some good chemistry and character development between Spider’s sidekicks.
lunaseassecondaccount's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad the plot has finally settled into place. I do want to like this series, and now that the plot is starting to roll out and the worldbuilding and exposition has been done, I think I can get into the groove with this comic series. And Ellis does have a knack for creating characters you love to hate. I don't particularly favour any of the characters yet, but I know I find Spider to be a touch annoying. But I think that's most likely the point.
There's not much to say here other than I think I might actually start enjoying the series now.
There's not much to say here other than I think I might actually start enjoying the series now.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
This is the fourth graphic novel in this series and I would have to say the weakest so far. Spider's ranting is still great, my favorite line, "Why do I like winter so much... it's not JUST because I like to see old people suffering." But the over all plot didn't seem all that creative. It's really a continuation of book 3 but it didn't have the cool stuff book 3 did.
So I'll probably read the next book (if I can find it cheap) but I'm a little worried.
So I'll probably read the next book (if I can find it cheap) but I'm a little worried.