The Great 2019 Cerebus Re-read Part, the WAIT, THIS IS STILL A THING?!?

Hi, Everybody!

So, as we all know, Barry Windsor-Smith  drew "Cerebus Dreams", and inspired Dave to do more Cerebus dreams stories.

It's a motif of the series.

But did it start with BWS?

I say...nope!

Issue #8, which precedes BWS's story. 

It may have been a fever dream, but it's still a dream...
______________________

Vark Thing!

Next Time: Oh, it's gonna be great...

Reading Cerebus (Between The Button Part 2)

Hi, Everybody!

GIVE DAVE MONEY!!!

CEREBUS IN HELL? Tales of Sophistication THE IRON MANTICORE PART III strips 2019

CEREBUS IN HELL? original artwork -- 7 strips for publication 2019

CAN7 Cerebus Archive Portfolio No. 7 -- Edition #106/175 ("FLIGHT")

And as always, check for bonecrusher86 on the eBays if I missed something. 

Anyway:

"Say kids, what time is it?"

"It's time to get ILL!!!!"

"Sorry Mike D., it's not. It's "Reading Cerebus" Time!"

It's "READING CEREBUS" time.

It's "READING CEREBUS" time.

Kevin reads Cerebus for you,

It’s such a nifty thing to do.

Let’s give a rousing cheer,

Cause "Reading Cerebus" is here,

"Is your name Michael Diamond?"
"No mine's Clarence..."

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a new (some-what) weekly column here at A Moment of Cerebus. The goal of this column is to bring a fresh perspective to the 300-issue saga of Cerebus as I read through the series for the first time and give my insights into the longest running independent comic book series of all time. Think of this as part book club, part lit-crit, and part pop culture musing. Oh, and they told me Dave Sim himself may be reading this, so I hope I don’t screw this up. Let’s continue.

Between The Buttons: A Cerebus Miscellany (Part The Second)

This week, I'm going to finish looking at the short material that fits in between the first 12 issues of Cerebus. Again, for each story, I am including where it was originally published and where it fits in the overall arc of the story thus far. Credit goes to Cerebus Companion #1 for helping to place these stories in chronological order as they do not appear in the first phone book.

One thing I want to add before we get too far into this weeks column is that Will Eisner did not in fact draw Cerebus in the "Cerebus Versus The Spirit" story. While he did contribute on the final art, his contribution was to adding Dolan and The Spirit into the final story in both pencil and ink. He also inked the window on page two panel one, much of the bric-a-brac on page three and the last two panels of the story. Thank you to Kit for the clarification.

"Elfguest" (Cerebus #52) [Available at the link, you're welcome-Matt]

This short finds a hungover Cerebus meeting the cute and precocious characters of Elfquest who have used dimensional travel to land in "our world". Not a lot transpires here as the elves are here and gone as quick as a hiccup, but Cerebus does decide to swear off mixing ale with apricot brandy.

This 4 page story fits in between issues 11 and 12.

"The Morning After" (Swords of Cerebus Volume 2, Reprinted in Cerebus World Tour Book 1995)

Possibly picking up directly after the events of "Elfguest", "The Morning After" finds a hungover Cerebus trying to cure a pounding headache any way that he can. He drinks from horse troughs, eats a bag of eggs, has his head set in a vice, and even has his head wrapped in a screaming hot towel. Finally cured of his malady, Cerebus sits outside the tavern and waits for it to open. Some aardvarks never learn.

This 6 page story also fits in between issues 11 and 12.

"Cerebus Dreams" (Swords of Cerebus Volume 5, Reprinted in Cerebus World Tour Book 1995)[Full story at the link, you're welcome-Matt]

A David Lynch-ian dream sequence done in the style of Barry Windsor-Smith [I should hope so, since it's done BY Barry Windsor-Smith -Matt] that opens with a rain of diamonds. That's weird. Then a chicken appears and begins eating the amassed jewels. Ok, weirder. Then Cerebus is attacked by a violin playing jester. What would Freud say about this? On second thought, it's probably best not to ask.

This 6 page story also fits in between issues 11 and 12.

"A Night On The Town" (Swords of Cerebus Volume 6, Reprinted in Cerebus World Tour Book 1995) [Full story at the link. Everybody thank Tim. "Thanks Tim" -Matt]

A drunken Cerebus finds a corpse in the snow and sets about on a silent farcical adventure akin to "Weekend at Bernie's".

This 7 page story also fits in between issues 11 and 12.

Final Thoughts

This weeks shorts offer a view into the ills and weirdness that come with tying one on. Did Cerebus really meet the elves, or was it just a drunken illusion? Who was the weird violinist? Do chickens really eat diamonds? It's a lot to think about.

Join me back here next week as we look at the short story "Magiking" and it's follow up in issue 13, "Black Magiking".

Currently Listening To: The Best of the Grateful Dead Live

Kevin Kimmes is a lifelong comic book reader, sometime comic book artist, and recent Cerebus convert. He can be found slinging comics at the center of the Multiverse, aka House of Heroes in Oshkosh, WI.

Reading Cerebus #9

Hi, Everybody!

First up, the Cerebus in Hell? Auctions continue:
The Un-Bedable Vark #1.
The Undateable Cerebus #1.
And The Proof of CAN7: Flight
So open your checkbooks and bid, Bid, BID!!! (Or not, I don't care what you do. Ya bunch of selfish Scrooges...)

Anyway:

"Say kids, what time is it?"

"It's 'READING CEREBUS' time! "

It's "READING CEREBUS" time.

It's "READING CEREBUS" time.

Kevin reads Cerebus for you,

It’s such a nifty thing to do.

Let’s give a rousing cheer,

Cause "Reading Cerebus" is here,

It’s time to start the column,

Nothing rhymes with column...

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a new (some-what) weekly column here at A Moment of Cerebus. The goal of this column is to bring a fresh perspective to the 300-issue saga of Cerebus as I read through the series for the first time and give my insights into the longest running independent comic book series of all time. Think of this as part book club, part lit-crit, and part pop culture musing. Oh, and they told me Dave Sim himself may be reading this, so I hope I don’t screw this up. Let’s continue.

Issue 9 - Swords Against Imesh

Issue #9: Swords Against Imesh

Cerebus leads the Conniptin army to the city of Imesh with plans to enslave it and add to the strength of the Conniptin's holdings. However, when no gate can be found to enter Imesh, Cerebus goes solo to find out what has become of the city of his youth.

Well, I Didn't Vote For You

"King" Cerebus...there's just something sort of funny about this to me. After 8 issues of seeing Cerebus as a sword for hire, seeing him giving orders and leading an army just seems a bit, well, odd. And, if it seems odd to us as readers, it becomes painfully obvious that it is out of step for Cerebus as well.

The endless chatter of the Conniptin warriors (or "cheerleaders", as Cerebus refers to them) has obviously begun to grate on his nerves, and when they are met with an impenetrable wall around Imesh, Cerebus immediately reverts back to that which he knows best, going solo.

Deep thoughts on the RED CRESCENT QUARTER courtesy of CerebusDownloads.com

This Is Not My Beautiful House

Upon scaling the wall that surrounds Imesh, Cerebus exclaims that this is not the city of "...the aardvark's youth!" This is interesting, as I believe this to be the first real concrete piece of information that we get regarding Cerebus' past prior to us meeting him at the age of 26.

This revelation also goes a long way to explaining why it was that Cerebus felt so sure about staging a raid on the walled city. Having spent his youth there, he would know the lay of the land, thus giving him an advantage over other would-be adversaries of the city who were unfamiliar. It also explains his confusion over the missing gate.

Well I'm A King Bee, Baby

Upon entering the city, Cerebus is tricked into following Sedra into a trap set by the King of Imesh, K'Cor. K'Cor explains to Cerebus that the people of Imesh are now his slaves thanks to a concoction of "...grain, protein, three vitamins, starches, sugars, an opium derivative, and artificial colouring..." he calls Buz.

For fun, here is a short list of famous Buzz's in pop-culture:

 - Buzz Aldrin (Second man to walk on the moon) - "Beautiful view. Magnificent desolation."
 - Buzz Cola (The Simpsons) - "Twice the sugar, twice the caffeine."
 - Buzz Beer (The Drew Carey Show) - "Cleveland rocks!"
 - Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story) - "To infinity and beyond!"
 - Buzz's Girlfriend (Home Alone) - "Woof!"

What Price Freedom

"I know what you're going to say! "They are men and men should be free." A freeman is dangerous to himself and everyone else. Freedom should be left to those who can put it to good use. I used my freedom to get power! And then used my power to get more power..."
- K'Cor, King of Imesh

This is the philosophy that K'Cor has used to justify his enslavement of the people of Imesh. What makes him better than these people? Nothing. So why should he be allowed to enslave them? Well, it all comes down to the fact that he created Buz and made junkies out of not only the common man, but the high council as well.

K'Cor found an opportunity to elevate himself in a power vacuum, and by hook, or in this case mostly crook, he has established himself as a Demi-God, the only one capable of sustaining the people's addiction.

While Cerebus can understand, to a point, K'Cor's rationale is not without it's compassion. He cares for his slaves as they gave their freedom (willingly/un-wittingly) for the greater cause. What greater cause, you ask? Well, "The defense of Earth against the secret invasion of Venusians!"

The Truth about Venusians courtesy of K'Cor, and CerebusDownloads.com

Keep Watching The Skies

You're shitting me...aliens! Yup, this is K'Cor's belief and why he is having the enslaved people of Imesh build a 200 foot high sacred symbol of the Venusian's which he says symbolizes the death of their race! Can someone get Giorgio A. Tsoukalos on the phone and verify if any of this is true? Aliens!

The Fabled Energy Globes of Imesh courtesy of sorcery, and CerebusDownloads.com

They Poisoned The Watering HoleHaving heard enough, Cerebus and K'Cor come to an agreement to settle the matter at hand, a wager of kings. If Cerebus can pass through the corridor unscathed and then defeat K'Cor's champion, he will win the city and it's slaves. Lose, and his men will be added to the slave pool.

This reopened back wound courtesy of Ironic Fate, and CerebusDownloads.com 

Despite passing through the corridor, where his previous wound is re-opened, and then defeating both the hot-headed Panrovian and K'Cor himself, Cerebus finds in the end only defeat. K'Cor tells Cerebus that the water supply outside the city has been poisoned and that all of his men are dead. He is left alone and stranded with no food, money or shelter. Sometimes when you win, you still lose.

Final Thoughts
The art in this issue has a notably different look to it, divergent of the BWS emulation of the early issues. Researching this further, I found that for this issue Dave had Deni applying the spot blacks during the inking phase which allowed him to speed up the preparation of the book. It gives the book a heavier sense of contrast which to me just feels different, not better or worse, just different.

Join me back here next week as we look at Issue 10: Merchant of Unshib

Currently Listening To: Grateful Dead - Dick's Picks Vol 14 11/30/73 & 12/2/73 (Disc 2)

Kevin Kimmes is a lifelong comic book reader, sometime comic book artist, and recent Cerebus convert. He can be found slinging comics at the center of the Multiverse, aka House of Heroes in Oshkosh, WI.

Reading Cerebus #4

Hey look kids! It's "READING CEREBUS" time!

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a new weekly column here at A Moment of Cerebus. The goal of this column is to bring a fresh perspective to the 300-issue saga of Cerebus as I read through the series for the first time and give my insights into the longest running independent comic book series of all time. Think of this as part book club, part lit-crit, and part pop culture musing. Oh, and they told me Dave Sim himself may be reading this, so I hope I don’t screw this up. Let’s continue.

Issue #4: “Death’s Dark Tread”

Issue #4: "Death's Dark Tread" 

Since last we left our Earth-Pig Born:

“Using Henrot’s gold, Cerebus bribes his way onto a merchant vessel on the Sofim river. A week later, he is within the Sepran Empire’s boundaries, posing as a trader in textiles! At Serrea, the informal capital of the loosely-knit and militant empire, the Earth-Pig sees his chance for a much-needed vacation! He loses himself amid the bustling crowds and, with the last of his Borealan gold, sets about the serious business of drinking, eating and gambling…”

Image courtesy of Cerebus Downloads, Apricot Brandy courtesy of Henrot's gold...

Thanks, Dave!

In what is a rather simple plot, Cerebus discovers a shiny gem only to suddenly become the object of Death’s attention. See, Death want’s the gem to add to his collection (he has a dozen, but clearly is in search of a baker’s dozen) and will use anything in his power to get it. And by anything, I mean Lovecraftian beasts from the dawn of creation, and a Foghorn Leghorn talking parody of Michael Moorcock’s Elric! What, you say, what? Well good reader, you are in for a treat.

Death’s first attempt at retrieving the gem is to sick a Lovecraftian horror (a Crawler) on Cerebus. This thing is straight up nightmare fodder: all tentacles, mouths and eyeballs! Death explains that the Crawler is, “A creature from the dawn of time, a creature of sorcery…” It is also no match for Cerebus, as he makes quick work of the beast.

Another Pulp Icon: H. P. Lovecraft

Howard Phillips (H. P.) Lovecraft is the second major pulp author that Dave borrows from in Cerebus. Lovecraft, best known for his Cthulhu Mythos, was a contemporary of Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan and Red Sonja (see last week’s column for the twisty tale of Sonja’s genesis). Drawing heavily on gothic horror, Lovecraft created his own version of both terrestrial and cosmic horror, taking influence from author’s such as Edgar Allan Poe, Ambrose Bierce, and Arthur Machen.

Two things stand out in the exchange between Cerebus and the Crawler that play into the over-arching themes of Lovecraft: Death’s description of the creature and the idea of “sanity”.

As mentioned above, Death refers to the crawler as “A creature from the dawn of time, a creature of sorcery…”, making it wholly possible that this is a Lovecraftian hell-beast of some sort. In much of Lovecraft’s work, cultists and those versed in the black arts attempt to awaken the slumbering “Elder Gods” of the universe. With this description, it is not hard to suppose that what we see here is some sort of lesser deity.

Additionally, upon initially besting the beast, Cerebus quips, “And to think that Cerebus came south to seek sanity…!” Sanity is another reoccurring theme in Lovecraft’s work, with many a protagonist losing their minds at the exposure to these creatures from beyond time and space. Not Cerebus though, his mental fortitude is about to be tested in new and wholly tortuous ways by Death’s next trap: Elrod The Albino!

A Third Pulp Icon: Michael Moorcock

Borrowing from the pulp/horror/sword and sorcery pantheon of authors is now clearly a running theme in these early stories as the introduction of Elrod further proves. Based on the albino swordsman, Elric of Melnibone, who first appeared in the 1961 novella, "The Dreaming City", Elrod gets a tweak from another famous pantheon: Loony Tunes, specifically the cartoons featuring Foghorn Leghorn!

To paraphrase Bob Dylan’s “Outlaw Blues”: “Well, I might look like Johnny Winter, but I feel just like a’ Foghorn Leghorn, I say boy, I say!”

 

Image, I say image courtesy of Cerebus Downloads. Dotcom, that is...

Yes, Elrod has all of the vocal mannerisms of that loveable rooster, including a penchant to never shut up. This, quickly becomes an issue as Elrod bounces from referring to Cerebus as a kid in a “bunny suit”, to mistaking Cerebus’ lack of interest for insult, resulting in a challenge to sword fight (where have we seen this before *wink, wink*).

Elrod’s black sword, Seersucker (a joke five-thousand years in the making and a parody of Elric’s sword, Stormbringer) proves no match for Cerebus as it shatters on impact with Cerebus’ own steel. As Cerebus notes, the black color was a byproduct of an abundant rust buildup, thus making the sword as frail as it’s wielder.

Losing the fight, Elrod continues to follow Cerebus, all the while letting his big mouth run. It’s not long before this again leads to conflict, this time with the city garrison, resulting in both Cerebus and Elrod being thrown in prison, after Elrod’s might in battle is again proven to be, I say be, a bunch of hot air.

Chained to the wall with “Chatty Cathy”, Cerebus turns his full attention to trying to break his bonds despite the protestation of Elrod. Eventually snapping both manacles, Cerebus leaves his fast-talking companion to rot in the dungeon and goes in search of someone capable of removing what remains of his bonds.

But, there is one nagging thing that must be done first: Get rid of that cursed bad luck gem!

Cerebus opts to chuck it down a well (good riddance to bad rubbish), as it has brought him nothing but problems since he found it. In the end, no one wins with Cerebus none-the-richer, and Death still baker’s dozenless on the gem front.

 

This image is courtesy DC Comics. J/K, it's another Cerebus Downloads one.

Join me back here next week as we look at Issue 5 as Cerebus faces the terror of “Bran Mak Mufin”.

Currently Listening To: Garcia Live Volume 9: Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders August 11^th, 1974 Keystone Berkeley

Kevin Kimmes is a lifelong comic book reader, sometime comic book artist, and recent Cerebus convert. He can be found slinging comics at the center of the Multiverse, aka House of Heroes in Oshkosh, WI.

Reading Cerebus #3

Hey look kids! It's "READING CEREBUS" time!

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a new weekly column here at A Moment of Cerebus. The goal of this column is to bring a fresh perspective to the 300-issue saga of Cerebus as I read through the series for the first time and give my insights into the longest running independent comic book series of all time. Think of this as part book club, part lit-crit, and part pop culture musing. Oh, and they told me Dave Sim himself may be reading this, so I hope I don’t screw this up. Let’s continue.

Issue #3 – “Song of Red Sophia”

Cerebus #3: Song of Red Sophia

Issue 3 introduces us to the busty Red Sonja parody, Red Sophia. Just like her titular counterpart, Red Sophia is a fiery warrior, but unlike Sonja, this gal knows how to shake a tail-feather! Before I get too far into this weeks plot, let's throw the switches on the WABAC machine and look at the history of Red Sonja. And away we go!

"Gee Mr. Peabody, isn't this gonna get somebody sued?" "QUIET YOU!"

Is it Sonja or Sonya?

Well, it depends on if you ask Conan creator Robert E. Howard, or Marvel's Roy Thomas. See, technically they are two separate characters, each with their own unique spelling and era of existence.

In 1934, Howard created a female swashbuckler named “Red Sonya of Rogatino” for his story “The Shadow of the Vulture”. This story takes place in the 16^th century and features a fiery, red haired gun-slinging woman warrior protagonist.

Years later, Roy Thomas would adapt Sonya for addition to his and Barry Windsor-Smith's run on Conan, moving her out of the 16^th century and placing her squarely in the Hyborian Age. A quick name change to Sonja and the addition of a chainmail bikini, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Thanks, Mr. Peabody!

Now Back To The Preceding Column Already In Progress

As our issue opens, we find Cerebus has made his way to the coastal port of Temza where the Borealan gold mines are failing, leading the local government to press mercenaries into service on pain of death. Desperate to find safe passage east, Cerebus heads to Tansubal where he meets Henrot the Wizard and takes on a new assignment: Torture, then assassinate the man who besmirched his daughter's honour. The daughter in question? Red Sophia.

Henrot sends Sophia along with Cerebus so that she may see the man die slowly for his transgressions, but it doesn't take Cerebus long to figure out that something foul is afoot. See, while Sophia is handy with a sword and seems to be more than capable of taking care of herself, she is also bat-shit crazy!

Accused of besmirching her honour (See a pattern here?) mere yards into their journey, Cerebus is forced to match metal with his companion. Seizing on “ample” opportunity, The Earth Pig Born connects the flat of his sword with the buxom posterior of Red Sophia sending her sprawling into the bushes nearby.

Image courtesy CerebusDownloads 

Bested, Sophia throws herself at Cerebus and declares, “I am yours to command! Let me do your bidding, oh short grey master...my body is yours!” Not one to miss an opportunity, Cerebus takes Sophia up on her offer and saddles her with the task of carrying the party's supplies. 

That evening the pair decides to visit an inn where, wait for it, Sophia again has her honour besmirched. While all Cerebus wanted was to drink an ale in peace, Sophia manages to drag him into a skirmish with Thugg The Unseemly, a fight that Cerebus ends with one well placed bonk of his sword hilt. Seeing this fight as finished Cerebus grabs Sophia and leaves the inn, but Sophia has other ideas, you know, because of the besmirching and the honour and what-not. She heads back in and puts a whupping on Thugg, after which the two travelers head off to make dinner and pitch their tent for the night.

One thing worth pointing out at this point is the increase in humor in this issue, in contrast to the more grim storytelling of the first two issues. While issue two offered up a few laughs, this issue sees jokes-a-plenty surrounding Sophia and her delicate disposition, as well as her lust for Cerebus and his indifference in return. We also get some good gross-out humor regarding Cerebus and his carnivorous appetite, and Looney Tunes style physical comedy as Cerebus and Red Sophia make their way to their destination.

Upon reaching the besmircher, Tanes Feras, Sophia flies into a tizzy attempting to kill him herself, but knowing that gold is on the line, Cerebus does the only thing he can do at this point and knocks Sophia out with his sword. A short interrogation later, we find out that Tanes gazed upon Sophia while she was bathing causing her to feel besmirched, and him to fall madly in love with her. Cerebus, always the opportunist, decides to use this situation to take care of both of his problems at one.

In the epilogue, Cerebus returns to Henrot to tell him that his quest is complete and that Feras has been sufficiently punished. When pressed on how, and the whereabouts of the absent Sophia, Cerebus tells him the following: “I told her she would make Cerebus very happy if she married Feras...” He goes on to say, “I have no doubt that the marriage of your daughter and Feras will last many years and if you can think of greater suffering than that, you are welcome to try them on your new son-in-law, Henrot...”

Image courtesy CerebusDownloads 

A few final notes regarding this issue of Cerebus: 1) The likeness of Henrot is based on Frank Thorne, who is one of the best known illustrators of Red Sonja, and someone who Dave corresponded with regularly. 2) This issue marks the point at which Dave had committed to doing Cerebus as a bi-monthly comic. Up to this point, the plan was, “We'll put out three issues and if it doesn't go so good, we can always back out and I'll have three sample issues of a comic book when I look for work.” Thankfully, for us, it all worked out.

Join me back here next week as we look at Issue 4: “Death's Dark Tread”.

Currently Listening To: “Bald” Bill Hagan and his Trocaderons “Music to Strip By”

Kevin Kimmes is a lifelong comic book reader, sometime comic book artist, and recent Cerebus convert. He can be found slinging comics at the center of the Multiverse, aka House of Heroes in Oshkosh, WI.

Reading Cerebus #2

Hey look kids! It's "READING CEREBUS" time!

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a new weekly column here at A Moment of Cerebus. The goal of this column is to bring a fresh perspective to the 300-issue saga of Cerebus as I read through the series for the first time and give my insights into the longest running independent comic book series of all time. Think of this as part book club, part lit-crit, and part pop culture musing. Oh, and they told me Dave Sim himself may be reading this, so I hope I don’t screw this up. Let’s continue.

Issue #2 – “Captive in Boreala”

Cerebus #2: Captive in Boreala

Issue 2 opens an indeterminate amount of time after the events of issue 1. With his money gone, we find Cerebus has fled the cities of the south and has joined a Tansubal warband headed for Boreala and the countries to the north-east.

After being ambushed by a group of savage marauders (no, not the 1980’s X-Men villains), Cerebus finds himself outnumbered and proving his worth as a “sword for hire” in the sacred “Duel of the Long Knives”.

Some of you are saying, “What’s this “Duel of the Long Knives” of which you speak?” Well, I’m glad you asked. In the “Duel of the Long Knives” two competitors, each armed with long knives (surprise, surprise) fight with a two-foot length of cloth between their teeth. That is how “sacred tradition” dictates the fight is supposed to transpire. However, due to a height disparity between Cerebus and his opponent, Klog, this fight features a six-foot length of cloth in order to be “more - - uh sacred”.

Sacred tradition demands I caption this image from the first phonebook... courtesy of CerebusDownloads

This test is meant to favor the physical attributes of the man-mountain, Klog, and plays out as such in the early going. Cerebus is quickly thrown from his feet and his knife flies several feet away. This would be the doom of less qualified warriors, but only a momentary distraction for Cerebus. See, he has a secret weapon at his disposal, his snout.

As mentioned in last week’s column, the Cerebus of the early issues has a long snout and is a bit “off-model” in comparison with the look that most comics fans of the last 40 years would recognize, but in this week’s tale, this strangely pays off for “The Earth-Pig Born”. With, Klog’s attempt at a charge foiled, Cerebus draws him in close and unleashes a dreaded “Earth-Pig Snout Punch”. Yes, sometimes being a bit off-model pays off in ways you wouldn’t necessarily expect.

Sadly, poor dumb Klog learns a harsh lesson from this contest: Don’t piss off Cerebus!

While Klog lays unconscious in the snow, the Borealan chieftain quips about how as a southlander Cerebus doubtlessly has a moral code that prohibits the execution of an unconscious foe. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as Cerebus picks up his knife and plunges it deep into Klog’s skull. Again, repeat after me, kids: Don’t piss off Cerebus!

Cerebus soon finds his time as a Borealan marauder short lived as on the third day of their march they run into fatal opposition from an ensorcelled army of fifty warriors. Cut off from the Borealans, Cerebus soon finds himself herded toward the precipice of a cliff with two options presented: fight against unfathomable sorcery or face the unknown danger of what lies below. Cerebus chooses the unknown.

As it turns out, the unknown holds two things: 1) “The Eye of Terim”, 2) An artistic shortcut. We’ll get back to “The Eye…” in a moment, but let’s talk about this shortcut for a minute. In his introduction to issue #2 in “Swords of Cerebus” (later re-printed in “Cerebus Bi-Weekly” #2), Dave admits that drawing twelve pages of Cerebus and rocks was a lot more appealing to the artistic part of him at the time, than the alternative of spending the next two weeks drawing Barry Windsor-Smith people and buildings and snow. Thus, we get the heavy blacks of the poorly lit resting place of “The Eye of Terim”.

“The Eye…” is said to be guarded by the demon Khem, but as Cerebus is soon to learn, legends can be deceiving, as can appearances. As with the “Flame Jewel” of issue #1, “The Eye…” is not actually “The Eye…”, but instead the trappings of a succubus!

As the succubus attempts to attack Cerebus for seeing it for what it is, an interesting twist is uncovered: “The Earth-Pig Born” may have no soul. Explained as “…his unusual nature” on the last page of the story, this is something I’ll be keeping eye out for in later stories. For now, this lack of or difficulty in finding a soul, has just saved Cerebus’ grey hide.

This issue ends with Cerebus realizing that his battle with the succubus has released the ensorcelled army, leaving a battle field of skeletons as proof. Finding himself broke and hungry again, Cerebus heads to the nearest port twenty-plus miles away where he plans on enjoying the finer things in life like ale and brawling.

Join me back here next week as I discuss the “Song of Red Sophia” which features the introduction of Red Sophia, based on another Robert E. Howard creation, Red Sonja. Take care.

Currently Listening To: “Sunshine Daydream: Veneta, Oregon, August 27, 1972” by Grateful Dead

Kevin Kimmes is a lifelong comic book reader, sometime comic book artist, and recent Cerebus convert. He can be found slinging comics at the center of the Multiverse, aka House of Heroes in Oshkosh, WI

NEW COLUMN! Reading Cerebus

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome to “Reading Cerebus”, a new weekly column here at A Moment of Cerebus. The goal of this column is to bring a fresh perspective to the 300 issue saga of Cerebus as I read through the series for the first time and give my insights into the longest running independent comic book series of all time. Think of this as part book club, part lit-crit, and part pop culture musing. Oh, and they told me Dave Sim himself may be reading this, so I hope I don’t screw this up. Let’s begin.

Issue #1 – “Cerebus The Aardvark”

Most things come from humble beginnings, and Cerebus is no exception. The opening issue of our epic finds a very different (at least visually) version of our protagonist than that which most comic book readers of the past 40 years have come to know. Just like the pilot episode of “South Park” (where they still used cut construction paper) or the early “Simpsons” shorts that ran on “The Tracy Ullman Show”, the art of Cerebus appears a bit “off-model” in this debut adventure.

The first issue’s art direction is a loving homage to 1970’s Barry Windsor-Smith “Conan”, a style which can best be described as “Kirby-esque”. Windsor-Smith set the standard for Conan at Marvel Comics in the early 1970’s, working on 21 of the first 24 issues of the title before departing. The exception to this artistic choice is Cerebus.

Sporting a longer snout; a horned helmet; and a slimmer build, the Cerebus of issue #1 is more Conan by way of Walt Kelly’s “Pogo” than anything else. Absent are his signature vest and his medallions appear as more of a necklace, not yet achieving their standardized three circle look.

The story itself borrows heavily from the early Robert E. Howard Conan adventure, “The Tower of the Elephant”, in which a young Conan decides to steal the mythical gem known as “The Heart of the Elephant” from an evil sorcerer named Yara. By comparison, the opening issue of Cerebus features a tale in which Cerebus is convinced by two brothers to steal the mythical Flame Jewel from an evil sorcerer in exchange for a sack of gold. In the end, the joke is on the brothers as the Flame Jewel becomes nothing more than an enchanted walnut after the sorcerer is slain, and Cerebus still collects on his due for a  job completed.  

While simplistic in it’s construction, this tale serves as a great introduction to Cerebus and sets the tone for the world in which he lives. Come back next week for my further adventures “Reading Cerebus”.

Currently Listening To: The Sword – “High Country”

Kevin Kimmes is a lifelong comic book reader, sometime comic book artist, and recent Cerebus convert. He can be found slinging comics at the center of the Multiverse, aka House of Heroes in Oshkosh, WI.

Barry Windsor-Smith's "Swords Of Cerebus"

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 5 (1983)

Art by Barry Windsor-Smith

"Dave Sim has created a totally believable scenario and peopled it perfectly:

The mark of a very fine story-teller. In my opinion, the best in the field today."

~ Barry Windsor-Smith

(from Swords Of Cerebus Vol 5, 1983)

Read Barry Windsor-Smith's "Cerebus Dreams" here.

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 5: Cerebus Dreams

PAUL SLADE:

Published between 1981 and 1984, Dave’s six Swords of Cerebus volumes were his first attempt to collect the book in a more permanent form. He gave each story included in these volumes a prose introduction, explaining where the book stood when he’d been working on that particular issue and how he was thinking of its prospects at the time. This is the last of his five introductions in Swords volume 5, and covers the book’s bonus story by Barry Windsor-Smith. Also check out the full 'Swords Of Cerebus' Introductions Index.

“Patience is the most necessary virtue of the ardent Windsor-Smith watcher,” says Dave.

Read the complete "Cerebus Dreams" here.

Next week: How Weisshaupt escaped the gallows.

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 2: Cerebus #8

PAUL SLADE:

Published between 1981 and 1984, Dave's six Swords of Cerebus volumes were his first attempt to collect the book in a more permanent form. He gave each story included in these volumes a prose introduction, explaining where the book stood when he’d been working on that particular issue and how he was thinking of its prospects at the time. We’re currently covering the intros from Swords volume 2. Also check out the full 'Swords Of Cerebus' Introductions Index.

"I had been torn between having Cerebus stay with the Conniptins and having him escape

at the earliest possible opportunity," says Dave.

Next week: Rochester in November.

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 2: Cerebus #7

PAUL SLADE:

Published between 1981 and 1984, Dave's six Swords of Cerebus volumes were his first attempt to collect the book in a more permanent form. He gave each story included in these volumes a prose introduction, explaining where the book stood when he’d been working on that particular issue and how he was thinking of its prospects at the time. We're currently covering the intros from Swords volume 2. Also check out the full 'Swords Of Cerebus' Introductions Index.

"Suddenly, I was free," says Dave.

Next week: Links in a chain.

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 1: Cerebus #2

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 1

(2nd Edition, March 1982)

PAUL SLADE:

Published between 1981 and 1984, Dave's six Swords Of Cerebus volumes were his first attempt to collect the book in a more permanent form. He gave each story included in these volumes a prose introduction, explaining where the book stood when he’d been working on that particular issue and how he was thinking of its prospects at the time. This example's taken from Swords volume 1. Also check out the full 'Swords Of Cerebus' Introductions Index.

Barry Smith (or Barry Windsor-Smith as he soon became) was the first artist on Marvel's Conan the Barbarian comic, which debuted in October 1970. The book, written by Roy Thomas, became a surprising hit for Marvel, spawning several spin-off titles such as Savage Sword of Conan (presumably Dave's inspiration for the titling of these volumes) and Red Sonja. Thomas and Smith's The Frost Giant's Daughter, which Dave mentions here, appeared in Conan #16, published in July 1972.

Swords Of Cerebus Vol 1 (1981)

Cerebus #2:

"The name of the game at this time was 'Look as much like Barry Smith as possible'," says Dave.

Next week: The generous wizardry of Frank Thorne.