By Warren Ellis

In the aftermath of the "Year of the Bastard," journalist Spider Jerusalem is strangely content, ready to launch himself into the contentious presidential election that's already begun. But things take an even uglier turn in the new TRANSMETROPOLITAN: THE NEW SCUM trade paperback from VERTIGO.

Reprinting issues #19-24 of the popular and critically praised series, THE NEW SCUM opens with a shocking turn as political consultant Vita Severn - one of the rare people Spider actally likes - is brutally murdered. In stories by Eisner Award-nominated writer Warren Ellis (PLANETARY) with art by Darick Robertson (who contributes a new cover to the collection), Rodney Ramos and Keith Aiken, Spider and his "filthy assistants" embark on an investigation that includes Spider's unforgettable interviews with the two contenders for the nation's highest office: the incumbent President and his chief challenger, the Smiler. Rounding out the collection is the illustrated text story "Next Winters" from VERTIGO: WINTER'S EDGE 3, written by Ellis with art by Robertson.