Notebook 21: The Story-Teller’s Ideas

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Believe it or not, more pages of text from Dave’s 21st notebook. . .but not too many left to go. And yes, there are sketches left. Not too many, but hey, we’re nearing the end of this notebook after nothing but it for a year and a couple of months.

‘Where do you get your ideas?’ appears on page 182 of Reads, aka Cerebus #183 page 17.

Notebook #21, page 249

Now if you had gotten up and gotten your copy of Reads or Cerebus #183 and followed along with the handwritten notebook page, you’d see that both texts are pretty much the same. The crossed out bit of the notebook:

“writers. Implicit in the question is the supposition that the whole thing is some sort of skill, some kind of magic track.”

Was indeed left out of the finished worked. A few other words are substituted as well – ‘jacket’ for ‘coat’ for example. And there is some extra text in the finished story that isn’t in the notebook. They both pick up again with “It’s very common for a story-teller to say an idea just came to me them.” Which appears at the topo of  page #183 of Reads. If you are following along with both you’ve noted that Dave ‘s underlined text in the notebook becomes italicized in the finished book. The paragraph for page 183 of Reads continues along in the next page of the notebook.

Notebook #21, page 250

The blank line in the notebook separates the different . . .sections? in the finished work. As the next paragraph that starts with “In psychiatric terms this is called schizophrenia, the inability to differentiate between reality and  fantasy.” is there word for word on page 183 of Reads. The text for page 183 continues onto the next page of the notebook, as if Dave had sat down and wrote it all out in one go:

Notebook #21, page 251

Yes, even the John Lennon quote from Strawberry Fields Forever is in the notebook and on page 183 – along the bottom! – of Reads. However, the paragraph down the bottom wasn’t included on page 183 nor in Reads as far as I can see:

“I’m not leaving you with much, am I? It has been something of a problem in my life for the people in my life who have strayed too close to me for too long a period. Eventually, sooner rather than later, the subject of reality comes up. I believe a) some foods taste better than others b a) if you light a cigarette on the end and pull on it, you will get smoke out of it. b) if you drink enough alcohol, you will get drunk. c) the Toronto Maple Leafs will play hockey for half of the year and the Toronto Blue Jays will  play baseball for the other half of the year. Many of the games will be on television. So long as I restrict”

The paragraph finished up on the next page of the notebook, but I put it all above to make it easier to read. Left out of the finished work, but not crossed out in the notebook.

Notebook #21, page 252

The next paragraph that starts with 1977 is at the top of the second half of page 184 of Reads. And the rest of the notebook page is also on that same page of Reads. 

Notebook 21: “Geysering. Blood. Semen.”

 Notebook 21: “Geysering. Blood. Semen.”

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

I. Am. Exhausted. First late Boston Bruins game of the season, three separate incidents of heavy traffic due to road construction on the way home, meant an 11:21 PM in bed time for me. Plus we had a prior Bruins home game on Sunday that made a 9:30 PM bed time. My normal bedtime is like 8 pm, 8:30 pm tops. I know, I know: I’m old. Well, ya get whatcha get. Four pages of text from Dave’s 21 notebook but no real commentary this week. Sorry, I’m just so tired bossman. The rain will keep me in all weekend, so I’ll perhaps make up for it next week? Perhaps? 

Notebook 21, page 245

Notebook 21, page 246

Notebook 21, page 247

“Geysering. Blood. Semen.” What? 

Notebook 21, page 248

*poit*

Notebook 21: A Story Device Realizes He Isn't Real

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

I don’t know about you, but walls of text? I can see how people tired of it in Reads. Though, we were primed for it in Cerebus #28 (Mind Game II). And Jaka’s Story. So ya know, I actually enjoyed Reads. Yah, I didn’t agree with all of the content, but then again, Cerebus #94 anyone? 

Okay, now that y’all are worked up, time for some bad news? Good news? There are only 18 pages left to show from Dave’s 21st notebook. And we’ll be seeing four of those pages today. So yay! Only 18 pages left. Oh noes, more walls of text. . .and then. . .what next?

If you remember last week’s post, we saw pages that were in Cerebus #183, with Viktor talking to the audience. We also “heard” from someone who sounded like Elrod. Elrod saying:

“What. . ah say. . .what was that. Who’s there? Somebody ah say somebody put on the night light’. This joke has gone too far. . .(cursed the boundary that is). Ahm a story like…”

That continues on the next page of the notebook:

“…Alan Moore said ah can neither be created nor destroyed. I can write my own lines.”

Notebook #21, page 241

Yah, Elrod was just a story device. This bit of the notebook about Elrod showing up in Viktor’s . . .story showed up on page 182 of Reads (aka Cerebus #183, page 17. Not quite word for word, but the gist of it remains.

Notebook #21, page 242

Viktor is leading us into the darkness. Not out of it, but into it as he states. This continues on page 243:

Notebook #21, page 243

Yes, follow Viktor’s squeaking sneakers to the next page of the notebook, where we see some crossed out text.

Notebook #21, page 244

The crossed-out text states “The Judge was wrong. The void wasn’t Tarim and the light wasn’t Terim. It’s the other way around.”

The rest of the page is Viktor asking if we can trust him. And he takes out that crossed out line as it doesn’t appear in Cerebus #183. Or #184. Though in Cerebus #185’s text pages, the concept of Viktor changing his mind about the end of Church & State appears.

Notebook 21: The Reader, the story, and Viktor

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

After a couple of weeks of sketches from Dave’s notebook we are back to the “walls of text”. This is the notebook for Reads, so “walls of text” tracks. In the page below, the reader, the story, and Viktor Davis were all “getting closer”. 

Notebook #21, page #237

The above text shows up in Cerebus #183 page 14 (page 180 in Reads). Well, it mostly shows up on that page. I didn’t check it word for word, but most of it shows up there. Though the ‘what happens next’ is a phrase I don’t see on the finished pages. The next page of the notebook has the reader saying “Viktor?” Which does show up on page 181 of Reads. About two thirds of the way down the page, Dave crossed out ‘Yes and no’ and replaced it with ‘No and yes’. However, on page 181 of Reads it is back to ‘Yes and no.’

Notebook #21, page #238

Reading page 181 of Reads and the above notebook page, Dave wrote a bunch of stuff on this notebook page that he left out of the finished book. Though most of it did make it into Reads.

The next page of the notebook continues this preliminary writing for Cerebus #183. About halfway down the page noticed the ‘You’re all in here” is crossed out and replaced with:

‘Yes No the seats are empty. Yes you’re all in there now.’

There was a pause.

‘We’re all in here now.’

That was left out and the ‘You’re all in there, now’ was the final text.

Notebook #21, page #239

And yes, this text for Cerebus #183 continues on the next page of the notebook.

Notebook #21, page #240

The bit about the cover of Cerebus #181 made the final page – Reads page 182 if you’re curious – but around it was darkness as the cover faded into the distance, not the cover of Cerebus #182. Down the bottom of the notebook page a familiar accent is seen saying:

‘What. . ah say. . .what was that. Who’s there? Somebody ah say somebody put on the night light’. This joke has gone too far. . .(cursed the boundary that is). Ahm a story like’

Well, it looks like it continues onto page 241. And yes, Elrod does “appear” in the text of Cerebus #183.

Notebook 21: The Throne

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Last week we got up to page #233 which started showing us some thumbnail sketches of pages from Cerebus #184 and the throne being lifted up out of the throne room. This week that continues. A hand holding up the throne with Cirin and Cerebus on it:

Notebook #21, page #234

Another potential look for the throne this time on a small tower of heads that looks similar to the black tower:

Notebook #21, page #235

And on the next page we get a look at a different look at the throne. Looks a bit like. . .umm. . .a Georgia O’Keefe painting. . .

Notebook #21, page #236

Or perhaps page 235 has Cerebus' view of the throne and page 236 has Cirin's view? Neither were used in the end. Which is unfortuate, I'd chuckle at the above image on the cover to Cerebus #188.

Notebook 21: BANG! ROAR! RUMBLE! BANG!

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Last week I showed off my new teapot and teacup so there was no ‘notebooks’ post. The week before last we finally got to some sketch pages of Dave’s 21st notebook. They were sketches for material in Cerebus #183. More specifically they were for the fight scene between Cirin and Cerebus. Then on page 230 we get some text of Viktor Davis giving us the ‘Bang!’ prior to something else falling.

Well, page 231 of the notebook is an unknown narrator talking about how they prefer conversation with men and that “if I’m going to be owned by someone I want to be owned for sex not conversation.” I’m not going  to go back through Reads to see if this made it into the finished book:

Notebook 21, page 231

The text on page 232 continues with the same. . .better than thou attitude:

Notebook 21, page 232

On the next page thankfully we get some sketches and different text:

Notebook 21, page 232

The top is a thumbnail for Cerebus #184 pages 2 and 3 or if you’re following along in the phonebooks, it is Reads pages 188 and 189. The double page spread of ‘BANG’ as the ground falls away from the throne. The text is some of the lettering for the pages of the throne separating and being sent (?) to outer space.

Will the next pages of the notebook continue with more sketches of revert back to the walls of text? Or will I continue to show pictures of cleaning drinkware? Who knows. Come back next week to see what I have time to do.

Notebook 21: The Fight in the Throne Room

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Wait. What? What is this? A sketch? Of Cirin looking upset. Like she wants to take off someone’s ear head. 

Notebook 21, page 228

The top left corner has the number box for Cerebus #183 and it says page 1 for the thumbnail sketch. And if you open your Reads phonebook to page #167 you’ll see Cirin angrily looking at Cerebus. The bottom three panels look similar to the finished page. The top third of the page is Cirin and Cerebus facing each other, but in the finished page it is broken down into two separate panels.

The next page of the notebook appears to be Dave sketching out the two aardvarks in the Throne Room to get a feel for where they are and what they will do. In the top left corner of this page, you can see Dave’s armchairs with a bit of their reflection on the shiny floor. Then turn to page 168 in your Reads phonebook – you did get that off the shelf right? Unless you brought a cheap digital copy then you could just open the file from the convenience of your seat. Yes, you now compare a Gerhard armchair with Dave’s sketch of one. 

Notebook 21, page 229

Down in the bottom right corner of the above notebook page there is a circled 2. Well, page two of Cerebus #183 does have a bunch of thin panels along the bottom two thirds of the page and two panels along the top. Dange, page 168 of the phonebook with Gerhard’s backgrounds conveying streams of light with the cross-hatching had me just stare at that page in wonder for a moment. . .So good. 

Sorry. Where were we? Oh, the next page!

Page 20? What? What happened to pages three though 19? 

Notebook 21, page 230

Well, the sketches are for earlier in Cerebus #183. The thumbnail is for page 3, though the finished page put the three panels of Cerebus head in the middle of the page wit the two panels along the top. 

The text of Viktor Davis saying ‘Bang, bang, bang’ does indeed happen on page 186 of Reads. When I first read it I thought “Something fell!” And yes, something did fall. 

Notebook 21: Viktor Talking to the Audience

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

A quick one this week. Again? Well, we don’t have five pages this week. . .because after these pages are a group of pages with sketches that should be posted together. So we’ll save them for next week. This week? Yes, some more text pages. Lots of texts. And if you didn’t want to read them, just take a look – as it looks like Dave went through them at least twice – came in later with blue pen to mark them up:

Notebook #21, page 226

Yes, Viktor is still rambling on about audiences and storytellers. Though at the top of that page, he does give us the classic line: “. . .stick that up your ass if you don’t like it; stick it up a little further if you do!” 

The next page finishes up this section of Viktor’s rambling about audiences and storytellers as Viktor then turns tot the audience and asks the question: “What are you thinking about?”

Notebook #21, page 227

“It was very quiet.” 

Notebook 21: Taking a Stretch with Viktor

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Guess what we’ve got for you again? Yes, notebook pages. . .that are walls of text. Don’t worry, there are some sketches left in this notebook. But since the notebook mostly covers the phonebook Reads, walls of text are par for the course. 

Due that you’re getting five pages at a time. Last week we got some more Alan Moore, a little Neil Gaiman, and of course, Viktor just rambling. What is he rambling about now? More of the storyteller.

Notebook #21, page 221

Notebook #21, page 222

Notebook #21, page 223

Notebook #21, page 224

Hey, Viktor standing up and taking a break! Take a stretch with him. He also asks the question that I’ve since thought about – what if an artist could just create art without worry about financial hardship? Viktor also talks about the Cerebus reader, the Mothers & Daughters storyline and Reads, and more.

Notebook #21, page 225

Notebook 21: All Stories Are True

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Yes, yes, more pages of just text. Lots of Dave hand writing all of Viktor’s musings. I mean what do you expect, this is for the phonebook Reads. I did take a look see, and after today’s five – yes, FIVE pages of fun exciting. . .text – pages we only have . . .umm.

Let me check my notes. . .

THIRTY-EIGHT MORE PAGES?!?! Ugh. Well, not all of them are just pages of text. We have some sketches. 

I was too lazy to do a Cerebus theme meme

Anyhoo, onto the walls of text – we do get some more Alan Moore content about story-tellers, including the “All stories are true” line:

Notebook #21, page 216

Notebook #21, page 217

Notebook #21, page 218

Notebook #21, page 219

Notebook #21, page 220

If you're still here and have read all of that text, you've done more then me. I'm so tired boss man. 

Notebook 21: Skulls and Alan Moore

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Last week it was pages of text of Viktor just rambling, and guess what? Yes, more of his rambling. What is he thinking? We don’t need to ask, he just won’t stop rambling on and on. . .

Anyhoo, yes, you guessed it, more of Viktor’s ramblings. You can see Dave’s edits of crossing stuff out, writing more thoughts in the margins, et al. And like you, I don’t have the energy to go through it this week. So instead of me rambling, you’ll get five – yes FIVE! – pages for the low low price of nothing. 

Enjoy.

Notebook #21, page 211

Notebook #21, page 212

Like I can just imagine Viktor just rambling to himself. No paragraph breaks. . .But the above material does get used – page 162 of Reads, aka page 16 of Cerebus #182. Though going to the next page, there is more to this skull story that doesn’t make the finished pages of Cerebus.

Notebook #21, page 213

Huh, Viktor also had a letter printed in Superman #203, same as Dave. . .And down at the bottom Viktor writes about Alan Moore. . .which continues for the next few pages. . .

Notebook #21, page 214

Notebook #21, page 215

Hey, if you made it this far - congrats! And just think, once we've done with this notebook, we are done with it and its walls of text. . .

Notebook 21: Material Not Used in Cerebus #182

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Another outline for Cerebus #182, but at least it isn’t a wall of text – don’t worry, more of them coming up. Looks like Dave did some shuffling of the materials for Cerebus #182. Though if you’ve noticed, this list is only for the materials in the Viktor Davis’ story, and not the Cerebus vs  Cirin fight that starts off the issue. Well, technically the issue starts with the Roach in his Destiny Forty Thousand Eyes Roach ™.

Well, except item number 5, “Cerebus just had his right ear cut off”. That happens on the last page of the fight in Cerebus #182 page 14, aka Reads page 160.

Notebook #21, page 207

Though Cerebus’ ear getting cut off also appears in Viktor’s text, on page 16 of that same issue. And that text is what starts off page 208 of the notebook:

Notebook #21, page 208

While that is close to the finished text on page 162 of Reads, it isn’t the same. Most notably, Viktor mentioning that Elrod never really existed is missing, along with a bunch of discussion about the audience. What are you thinking?

The next page of the notebook shows a rewrite of the ‘Cerebus has just had his right ear cut off’ text, but it is crossed out:

Notebook #21, page 209

The next page of the notebook contains materials not used in Cerebus #182, perhaps used somewhere else in Reads:

Notebook #21, page 210

And to answer Viktor’s question, no I couldn’t stop listening to music. Though I do love quiet. I also haven’t had my phone ringer on in over twenty years. . .though one only turns it on if one actually intends to pick up a call. 

Notebook 21: Cerebus #182 & TMNT in Estarcion

MARGARET LISS:

A few years ago I scanned all of Dave Sim's notebooks. He had filled 36 notebooks during the years he created the monthly Cerebus series, covering issues #20 to 300, plus the other side items -- like the Epic stories, posters and prints, convention speeches etc. A total of 3,281 notebook pages detailing his creative process. I never really got the time to study the notebooks when I had them. Just did a quick look, scanned them in and sent them back to Dave as soon as possible. So this regular column is a chance for me to look through those scans and highlight some of the more interesting pages.

We’re continuing our look at Dave Sim’s 21st notebook used during the creation of Cerebus #164 to 187. We’ll be looking at this notebook, which there were 260 out of 300 pages scanned, until we’ve seen every single page of it. Well, the pages scanned. If you want to see all of the notebook #21 posts to date, just use the Notebook 21 tag. 

~*~~~*~

Another “quick” – well, for me. If you’re reading all the small text on these notebook pages, which yes, you can click on to enlarge them and read Dave’s notes yourself, then it’ll take you a while – notebooks post as it has been a heck of a 1.25 year. 

If that 182 issue box number looks familiar, you’ve got a decent memory for it appeared already in this same notebook, on page 186 shown in the post from last month called Notebook 21: Cerebus 182 & Viktor Davis.

We can see that Dave is continuing to edit Viktor’s diatribe about whatever is on his mind because “What are you thinking about?” And Viktor sure loves to tell us what he is thinking about. Including TMNT? Well, perhaps they don’t exist in Estarcion. Or at least Viktor’s version of it.

Notebook #21, page 204

Notebook #21, page 205

Notebook #21, page 206