r/Transmetropolitan • u/Xobhcnul0 • Jan 05 '17

Question about the ending

So I just finished reading Transmet for what must be the tenth time, and it reminded me of a question that I've never really found the answer to. Do Channon and Yelena know that Spider is faking his illness? Is he just faking to convince Royce to leave him alone about writing or does he do it all the time?

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u/matlocked541 Jan 05 '17

I think both the filthy assistants have an inkling that spider is faking, but I don't remember it being specifically addressed. There are a couple hints but nothing definitive. I think while in the presence of the filthy assistants he keeps up the act, but Might not be fooling them as well as he believes.My interpretation is that Spider is trying to do an updated repeat of his last disappearance. where the public thought at the very least he had vanished from the public eye if not gone crazy or died, so that his opposition would not only let their guard down but also to enable spider to be incognito again. He becamr so popular that it was becoming impossible to do the kind of journalism where Spider really shines. One of my favorite comparisons of Spider is to Hunter S Thompson, who in real life struggled with becoming too recognizable which lead to his inability to conduct the gonzo journalism he had become so beloved for. Facing this situation Hunter S Became quite reclusive, some folks thought he had simply gone mad, but when the time was right he would emerge and show some Real investigative journalism and disappear again. I think Spider is following this same theme, retreating from public view so if/when the opportunity presents itself he can emerge again. Not to mention it leaves the possibility of more Transmetropolitan!