One of the most creative tributes to HST is the graphic novel Transmetropolitan.

So what is it?

Transmetropolitan is a cyberpunk, transhumanist comic book series written by Warren Ellis, co-created and designed by Darick Robertson, and published by DC Comics.  The series was originally part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint Helix, but upon the end of the book’s first year the series was moved to the Vertigo imprint and DC Comics cancelled the Helix imprint. Transmetropolitan chronicles the battles of Spider Jerusalem, infamous renegade gonzo journalist of the future,[2] an homage to gonzo journalism founder Hunter S. Thompson. Spider Jerusalem dedicates himself to fighting the corruption and abuse of power of two successive United States presidents; he and his “filthy assistants” strive to keep their world from turning more dystopian than it already is while dealing with the struggles of fame and power, brought about due to the popularity of Spider via his articles. Source:

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To get a sense of the mind that created this glorious you can read a rather interesting interview with the author, a Mr. Warren Ellis

The illustrations are by Darick Robertson and here is a interesting interview if you want to learn a bit more about him

What is rather significant about this Gonzo incarnation is the crafty play on medium, literature,  space-time, Cyber Punk, and the idea art being the lie that tells the truth.

If the book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas can be thought of in terms of the American Dream being a Swan Song for the American Dream, the movie an “eerie trumpet call over a lost battlefield“,  I don’t think it too wrong to say Transmetropolitan is some kind of evidence of a strange survival trip in a Cyber Punk future.

We are weird and twisted, but still alive.

This one time I do suggest taking out the novel before buying it, I like Graphic Novels or Cyber Punk, but I know many who don’t so see if your library has it…CLICK ME.

Otherwise, it is a nice add to your Gonzo collection.


If you want to see what fans doing Reddit is a good place to start….