‘Transmetropolitan’ Art Book to Support Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Created by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson, Transmetropolitan took a vivid look into a possible (maybe likely?) future where excess and depravity and technology and convenience converged with paradoxically beautiful and wretched results for humanity and politics, as seen through the eyes of outlaw journalist Spider Jerusalem. The Vertigo series was one of the most idiosyncratic comics on the shelves, and the aesthetic developed by Robertson and Ellis' voice of The City are attractive subjects for tribute. It is fitting, then, that nearly ten years after the final issue went on sale, an impressive group of creators have assembled to pay homage to Transmetropolitan in the form of a limited edition hardcover art book. Only a few thousand are to be produced, with all proceeds going to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and The Hero Initiative. But the book needs your help to come out.Presently identified only as "The Transmetropolitan Art Book," the project is managed by Susan AuÄ¡ér with the cooperation of Ellis and Robertson, who will be providing the book with a new introduction and cover artwork. Contributors include Cliff Chiang, Katie Cook, Molly Crabapple, Kristian Donaldson, Gary Erksine, Simon Fraser, Cully Hamner, Sam Kieth, Corey Lewis, John McCrea, Moritat, Dean Motter, J. O'Barr, Jimmie Robinson, Tim Seeley, Liam Sharp, Fiona Staples, Pete Woods and many more.

Because the Transmetropolitan art book is a charitable project (no fees or sales proceeds will be directed to Warren Ellis, Darick Robertson or Vertigo/DC Comics), the CBLDF is asking Transmet fans to support the book via fundraising website Kickstarter. Nearly $18,000 of the $26,000 goal has been raised so far, and 22 days remain in the campaign. As with most Kickstarter projects, the more one donates, the better the reward. A pledge of $1.00 or more gives the backer early looks at artwork; a pledge of $55 or more reserves the backer a copy of the hardcover book; a pledge of $79 or more reserves the backer a limited edition slipcased version of the book that also includes a signed bookplate; a pledge of $125 or more gets the backer one of the first 100 books in the limited edition and also includes a personalized sketch by Darick Robertson; and bigger pledges reserve the backer multiple copies of various versions of the book.

The Kickstarter page includes a note that should an amount in excess of $26,000 be raised, additional books will be printed or the planned run will be augmented with ribbon bookmarks or things of that nature.

Below is the contributor list as published by the CBLDF, who note that "many others" are also to be included in the Transmetropolitan art book.

Aaron Alexovich

Martin Ansin

Brandon Badeaux

Edmund Bagwell

Joe Benitez

Rick Berry

Nicholas Bradshaw

Evan Bryce

Stephanie Buscema

Jim Calafiore

Cliff Chiang

Katie Cook

Molly Crabapple

Camilla d'Errico

Michael Dialynas

Aaron Diaz

Kristian Donaldson

Ryan Dunlavey

Gary Erskine

Simon Fraser

Richard Friend

Dan Goldman

Cully Hamner

Matt Howarth

K Thor Jensen

Anna-Maria Jung

Lukas Ketner

Sam Kieth

Clint Langley

Corey Lewis

Milo Manara

John McCrea

Kevin Mellon

Moritat

Dean Motter

J O'Barr

Len O'Grady

Alberto Ponticelli

Rodney Ramos

Paul Renaud

Afua Richardson

Darick Robertson

Jimmie Robinson

James Romberger

Nei Ruffino

Tim Seeley

Liam Sharp

Alex Sheikman

Paul Sizer

Fiona Staples

Dave Taylor

Spike Trotman

Pete Venters

Dave Wachter

Matthew Weldon

Pete Woods

JK Woodward

Annie Wu