Not Reading Cerebus, I'll tell you that much...

Hi, Everybody!

So Kevin didn't get his column done. Which means he's in trouble with the super-hero community.

And I gotta fill a slot.

Let's go!

First:
Comiclink!

STUDIO COMIX PRESS T-SHIRT PROTOTYPE

DAVE SIM GAME-WORN WRIST BRACE CEREBUS FRIAR'S CLUB ROAST COMMISSION COMPOSITION DRAWING CEREBUS FRIAR'S CLUB ROAST COMMISSION FINISHED PENCILS CEREBUS IN HELL? PRODUCTION ART MOCK-UPS (NOT ORIGINAL ART) FOLLOWING CEREBUS #12 COMPOSITION SKETCH FOR COVER GLAMOURPUSS #18 PAGE 5 SPLASH

LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY CEREBI #1 FINAL PRODUCTION PROOF WITH CORRECTIONS (NOT ORIGINAL ART)

SWOON AND SNUFF SANDMAN PARODY DRAWING

SWOON SANDMAN PARODY DRAWING

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION VOL. 2 (SIGNED DAVE SIM CONTRIBUTOR COPY) #NO NUMBER, 9.4 NM

CEREBUS VOLUME 10 MINDS REMASTERED EDITION #NO NUMBER, 9.4 NM

CEREBUS #13, CGC 9.8 NM/MT, SIGNATURE SERIES/DAVE SIM FILE COPY

And if you're looking for Dave's Stuff, search for "Cerebus Archive.

Second:
Look at this:

Cleverly stolen from Oliver Simonsen over at the Cerebus Facebook Group 

Third:
Yesterday was my birthday. I bought myself Cerebus stuff, but it hasn't arrived yet. 

Fourth:
Nuh-uh. I "momented" about "Cerebus". I'm done. Come back tomorrow and see if Ben Hobbes can "moment" about "Cerebus...

Next Time: Benjamin Hobbes—physician, scientist...searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry. And now, when Benjamin Hobbes grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs. The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter. The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit. Benjamin Hobbes is believed to be dead. And he must let the world think that he is dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him...

Reading Cerebus #23: Issue 20

Hi, Everybody!

Three days. Three days to sell everything that's not nailed down and get as much cash as possible for the Comiclink auctions.

And I'm still hustling, everyday I'm hustlin',

A'ight, WHAT TIME IS IT?!?
"Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so.."

"Very deep you should send that in to the Reader's Digest, they've got a page for people like you..."

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a some-what new (mostly) 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. Let’s continue.

"Mind Games" - Cerebus #20:

I started to pull pages to run in this week's installment, but I was gonna use every page, so just look at this, you can zoom in on the whole thing. (Thanks Margaret!)

Drugged at the end of last issue, Cerebus finds himself in a hallucinatory state. As if this wasn't bad enough, he quickly discovers that there is an ongoing war between the Cirinists and the Illusionists and Cerebus is the latest pawn in this game.

Two Sides To Every Story (Again)
Last week, I mentioned the use of duality (the two commanders trying to each raise forces in an escalating conflict, Red Sophia's "sister", twin owls) in the current story arc. This week, we are again treated to this as another layer to the ongoing conflict is layered on with the introduction of the Cirinists and the Illusionists.

The Cirinists are portrayed as an occulty branch of Christians, with the Illusionists portrayed as a very stoney version of Buddhists. Both sides have interest in Cerebus as a possible game changer in the bigger battle for supremacy they are waging. Cerebus however would just be content to wake up.

Once again using conflict to his advantage, Cerebus attempts to get both sides distracted in order to escape. The bad news? Well, the Cirinists are already a step ahead of him and dose him again before he can wake up. Again, good night, sweet earth-pig, good night.

Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery  

Keen eyed readers may have picked up on the odd layout of the issue, almost as if a bigger picture was hiding around the content of this week's issue. Well, keen eyed reader, you are correct.

The odd layout serves a two-fold purpose. First, the use of black and grey allow for easy narrative transitions between the two sides (Suenteus Po of the Illusionists in the grey, Perce and Wenda of the Cirinists in the black). Secondly, there is a larger image hidden among the smaller illustrations.

Using a technique borrowed from Neil Adams, Dave laid out a massive image of Cerebus across the pages of this issue. Those willing to dissect two copies of issue #20 would have found that the dissected pages when properly arranged form a poster size Cerebus suitable for framing.

According to Dave (from Swords Of Cerebus Vol 4, 1983):

"...The idea was inspired by Neil Adams' "hidden head" trick which (as far as I know)  he only did twice: once on a BEN CASEY Sunday page and once in a Deadman story in STRANGE ADVENTURES. The principle of the idea was that unrelated background and foreground elements make up the giant head. It's an exercise in the thinking side of drawing, since the initial layout has to be conformed to, and the composing elements must retain enough individual identity to still communicate the scene in each individual panel."

Final Thoughts

This issue was a lot of fun, if a bit of work getting the reading pattern right. We have another layer brought into the ongoing storyline as more factions are added to Cerebus' world. This sort of scope really makes the overall story feel so much more realized and important.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at issue 21, "Captain Cockroach".

Currently Listening To: Grateful Dead - Rocking The Cradle, Egypt 1978

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.

Further reading:
http://momentofcerebus.blogspot.com/2015/03/cerebus-20-mind-game.html
http://momentofcerebus.blogspot.com/2012/05/mind-game-i.html
http://momentofcerebus.blogspot.com/2016/08/albatross-one-page-one.html
(I tried to just link 'em in, but it's late, I'm lazy.)

Next Time: Who do you know wants to buy a car?

Reading Cerebus #22: Issue 19

Hi, Everybody!

Right!

First, Thursday, June 7th Comiclink. You. Dave Sim. All your money.

Wow! What a NEAT design! You can get it on a T-Shirt here.

Second, speaking of T-Shirts, I've set up a webstore for A Moment of Cerebus, where you can get the New AMOC logo on all sorts of stuff.

This one, created by Ben Hobbs

Right here. All profits get split 50/25/25 between Dave, Ben, and me (I'm only keeping a quarter to cover paying the tax man.)

Just imagine how groovy you'll look at the San Diego Comic Con, or S.P.A.C.E., or your niece's bat mitzva in an "official" A Moment of Cerebus T-Shirt. ("Who the fug is Matt D?" "What the fug's a 'Cerebus'?" "Really Jeff? What the fug is wrong with you? What part of 'black tie' was unclear?" It'll be great.)

And there'll be a "retro" "Tim W's A Moment of Cerebus" shirt coming for all of you who like "the earlier, funnier" AMOC and want everybody to know. (Tim has graciously said that he wants his quarter of the profits to go to Dave. Because he's a gentleman, and better than me...)

Third, "Hey kids! What time is it?"

"Aw shit! It's Reading Cerebus time!"

Man the 90s were fucking weird...

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a some-what new (mostly) 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. Let’s continue.

"She-Devil In The Shadows" - Cerebus #19

Cerebus #19: "She-Devil In The Shadows"

With the merchants baubles now safely in Cerebus possession, Cerebus and Graus head to Togith to see how many warriors their 100 pounds of jewelry will buy them. However, it doesn't take long for Graus to become more of a liability than an asset as he is drawn in by a fortune teller, who it is implied is turning tricks on the side.

Courtesy CerebusDownloads.com home of the Cerebus Chess set

Two Sides To Every Story

While Cerebus impatiently waits for his spoils to be totaled up, Lord Gorce sets about building an army to take Fluroc back from Cerebus and the T'Gitans. He quickly cuts a deal to gain the support of the armies of Seaf in exchange for favors to be granted after Gorce unseats Lord Julius as the leader of Palnu.

With this bit of dirty work accomplished, Gorce then sends the word out to double the pay of those who swear exclusive loyalty to him, while those who remain loyal to Commander Sarte are to be executed. Something wicked this way comes!

Curse your inevitable betrayal CerebusDownloads.com!

If You Know What It's Worth Then There's No Fun In Cheating You
Finally sitting down with the Duke of Agerden, Cerebus finds out that most of the jewelry is worthless in trading for troops due to a glut of jewelry in the market and troops trading at a surplus:

"Everyone...I mean everyone...seems to be having a war right now..."

One piece, however, does have some value: the owl seen in last issue. As we find out it has a twin and would command a sum of money if sold as a pair. The twin idol resides with a Master Hortne who lives in the basement of The Brugel Arms Tavern. Two problems: Everyone who has entered Hortne's residence in the past few weeks hasn't returned, and Hortne isn't who he claims to be.

You Again
Gathering the required armaments and placing a 20:1 bet on himself, Cerebus enters the gloom only to encounter...Red Sophia? Locked in deadly combat, Cerebus quickly notices a door in the distance and uses it to break from the conflict before him. Behind that door he finds "Hortne" who is actually none other than Sophia's father, Henrot (see, Dave mixed up the letters, a technique that will be used countless times in future creative efforts such as the use of "Nilbog" in Troll 2).

Henrot proceeds to explain how "Geet-a" (Borealan for "She-Of-The-Foul-Mouth-And-Dynamite-Knockers") came to be a surrogate for his daughter, but soon became a guard dog that even he lost control of.

Cerebus' anger winds up being the key to his escape as he concocts a plan escape using Henrot's Gerbies against Geet-a, but before his escape he needs that damn owl, the one Henrot melted down a long time ago. As a favor to Cerebus, Henrot fashions a temporary owl, which will cease to exist in six months, more than enough time for Cerebus to get what he needs from it.

Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down

With the quest at hand complete, Cerebus goes to retrieve his and Graus' packs from the fortune teller, but the fortune teller has other plans. The issue ends with Cerebus out cold and Graus in possession of a note to bring to Gudre. Good night, sweet earth-pig, good night.

Final Thoughts

There is a cool use of duality throughout this issue's story. We get the two commanders trying to each raise forces in an escalating conflict. We get Red Sophia's "sister". We get twin owls.

These long form story issues are really hitting home with me as we are seeing more world building and character development which was mostly absent in the early stand alone stories. It really feels like Dave has hit his stride in creating his opus.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at issue 20, "Mind Games".

Currently Listening To: Rhythm Devils - The Apocalypse Now Sessions

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 #21: "Fluroc" Issue #18

Hi, Everybody!

"Hey kids! What time is it?"
"Time for a really quick column with no images from the book, because you're pressed for time?"
"Ya damn right!"

Courtesy of Kevin's co-worker

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a some-what new (mostly) 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. Let’s continue.

"Fluroc" - Cerebus #18

"Fluroc" - Cerebus #18

Let it never be said that Cerebus isn't cunning. It's this chestnut that's at the center of this week's reading. With Fluroc now in the control of Cerebus and the T'Gitan horde, what could possibly impede their progress on to Palnu? Why, merchants, of course!

Hail Storm...Err...Hail Stromm!

This week's tale starts off with the explanation of someone else's mythology: Stromm. Cleverly based around the Norse god of thunder, Thor, we learn the details regarding Stromm as well as his first follower, Gudre. Lions die, wine bottles are bitten, and Stromm's word is carried forth by his first disciple, Gudre. We also learn that a mighty belch from Stromm could spell the demise of half an army, so you know, no fizzy drinks for the big guy.

Also, worth noting: Having met these two in the previous issue, this all sounds like a bunch of bullshit!

Take A Look, It's In A Book

While Graus tells the tale of Stromm, Cerebus has other matters to attend to. Foremost on his list is trying to find any information that may be useful in the overthrow of Palnu. However, checking the libraries of the most well-to-do homes in Fluroc has not been turning up the information that Cerebus had hoped for.

"I Have Some Bad News For You, Gorce..."

We get a quick aside with Lord Julius at this point, as he doles out responsibility of raising an army to Gorce of Vessariat. While Julius makes plans for a hasty retreat ahead of the fall of Palnu, Gorce plans to save the city and see Julius hung out to dry in the process. If treachery was a tradable commodity, it could be the chief export of Palnu. Just sayin'.

The Plague You Say

As mentioned earlier, this issue could have been smooth sailing for Cerebus if it weren't for the unforeseen arrival of N'Gamin merchants. Then again, if that were the case, this wouldn't be much of a Cerebus story.

Always looking for ways to turn lemons into lemonade, Cerebus decides to explain away the copious amount of dead bodies laying around on a recent plague that ravaged the village. Doubling down on this story, Cerebus is even able to convince the lead merchant into believing that he himself has contracted the plague, and that Cerebus is the only person with the cure.

A short negotiation follows with Cerebus getting the merchants wares as well as the helms of the hired mercenaries who are protecting the merchants. Sometimes all it takes is a little ingenuity and a cup full of blood to really sell your illusion.

Final Thoughts

This issues really felt like a bit of a world builder. We get to hear about Stromm's mythology from those that follow him, we learn a bit about the merchant culture of the area, and we learn that there is even more layers to the unrest in Palnu than originally suspected.

The issue incorporated a good amount of humor into what is not a very action packed story. This really seems like one of Dave's strengths to this point: Holding the reader's interest even during the quieter story beats. In the hands of a lesser writer, these moments can become a real drag.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at issue 19, "She-Devil In The Shadows".

Currently Listening To: Grateful Dead - Dick's Picks Volume 8 - Harpur College, Binghamton, NY 5/2/1970

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.

Next Time: Hey wait column 21? Reading Cerebus is legal! Drinks are on it tonight!!! 

Reading Cerebus #20: "Champion" Issue 17

Hi, Everybody!

"Hey kids! What time is it?"
"Time to realize that 'Howdy Doody' hasn't been a 'thing' for fifty years?"

Okay, dicks, then YOU write a new theme song...

Kevin Kimmes:
Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a some-what new (mostly) 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. Let’s continue.

"Champion" - Cerebus #17

Cerebus #17 "Champion"

"Well I've rode out of Palnu on a horse that was lame,
Lord Julius got me again,
Now the horse is dead, and in my shoulder there's pain,
'Cause 8 bags of gold is a significant weight,
La, la, and such!"
(Sung to the tune of "Horse With No Name")

"Wet Aardvark", the new scent from CerebusDownloads.com

Psychopathic revenge fantasies courtesy of CerebusDownloads.com

Trading Spaces: Estarcion edition coming soon to CerebusDownloads.com

Cerebus, Property Owner

Stuck in the rain, 10 miles from the nearest inn, Cerebus decides to plant roots, even if they are only due to necessity. Wet, and smelling like a poorly maintained horse's ass, Cerebus buys a hovel from some locals and settles in to drying off.

Of course, since this is a Cerebus story, the relative peace and quiet is only temporary.

Same thing happened when I bought my house...swear to Cerebusdownloads.com

Remember the T'Gitans

This issue really feels like a getting us on to the next major plot piece. So, since I'm struggling to get through this weeks column, here's the highlights:

- Two T'Gitan's (Stromm and Gudre) recruit Cerebus in helping them take the city of Fluroc, on their way to overthrowing Lord Julius in Palnu
- Fluroc is guarded by Commander Krull who cut out Stromm's tongue.
- Stromm can be calmed with orange creams.
- Krull can be knocked out by a rock to the back of the head.

See? (Visual aid courtesy of CerebusDownloads.com)

"Start Praying This Is More Than A Two Part Story"

Cliffhanger by CerebusDownloads.com

These are Lord Julius' words that close out this chapter, and as I said earlier, this issue just feels like set up for the next big story. Cerebus has flipped sides and joined in with Lord Julius' enemies, Commander Krull has become a captive of Cerebus, and we are introduced to a member of Lord Julius' cabinet who appears to be based off Harpo Marx except for the fact that he talks.

Final Thoughts

While I understand the necessity of issues like this one, after a 3-parter, this issue just felt a bit underwhelming. Oh well, there's always next week.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at issue 18, "Fluroc".

Currently Listening To: Grateful Dead - Reckoning (Disc 2 - Bonus Material)

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 #19: Issue #16

Hi, Everybody!

"Hey kids! What time is it?"
"Um...Monday-ish...time for your friend to show up and Read Cerebus to us, right"

Would YOU disobey a one-eyed aardvark? That's been DRINKING??

Kevin Kimmes:

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a some-what new (mostly) 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. Let’s continue.

"A Night at the Masque" - Cerebus #16 (Part 3 of "The Palnu Trilogy")

Cerebus #16, "A Night at the Masque"

This week, we wrap up the Palnu Trilogy and watch Cerebus once again ride off into the sunset, for better or worse. This one has everything: Groucho impressions, the return of inept characters from issues past, herring-and-onion dip fights, and the revelation of our assassin. So without further ado, let's get rolling.

This Festival Is The Pits

Courtesy of CerebusDownloads.com

Well, in The Pits, actually, but you get the point. Despite a narrow escape last issue, Lord Julius decides to go forward with holding The Festival of Petunias in The Pits, which poses more than a small problem for Cerebus: How do you protect the Lord in such a confined space?

It's not long before Cerebus' fears are brought to light as a group of sword wielding rebels decide to make their presence known, and the time for rational planning goes out the window. Put on the spot, Cerebus resorts to using the environment against his would-be foes, and instigates a game of "cover the guys with swords" in herring-and-onion dip. This stops the immediate threat, forcing their leader to slink off down a secret corridor.

The first panel is important later...

The Subplot Thickens

While this is all transpiring, we are treated to the return of E'Lass and Turg, both in heavy costume and up to no good. It seems that E'Lass, broke and down on his luck, has decided that stealing the Wyndmel Diamond is the quickest way to prosperity. Then he sees Cerebus, and his nerves get the better of him.

Despite successfully stealing the gem, E'lass begins jumping at shadows, convinced that he is going to be busted. The paranoia runs so high, in fact, that he finally throws it away in order to avoid being found out.

10 issues may have passed, but courage is still a foreign concept to E'lass.

Like Zoinks, Scoob!

After a short foot-chase, we finally discover the identity of the leader of the rebels: Lord Julius' Social Secretary! This revelation is followed shortly after by Cerebus throwing a rock at his head, knocking him off the bridge, killing him. So much for the big reveal. 

The issue, as stated earlier, again ends with Cerebus riding off into the sunset with his bounty in hand. Too bad he didn't stick around, though, as it appears Jaka is about to make a visit to her Uncle Julius.

Final Thoughts
This multi-part story really let Dave stretch out and tell a lot more complex story. Also, it was great to see the return of characters that hadn't been seen in nearly 10 issues. It finally feels like there is an established narrative going, with an established cast of characters too.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at issue 17, "Champion".

Currently Listening To: Grateful Dead - Fillmore East 2-11-1969 (Early Show)

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 #18: The One About Issue #15

Hi, Everybody!

Auctions:

Dave Sim (Cerebus) IDW X-FILES ANNUAL 2014 comics & art print prototype #1/1

Aardvark-Vanaheim STRANGE CEREBUS by Dave Sim EARLY PROOF COPY

CEREBUS IN HELL? PACKAGE: Love and Aardvarks, World's Finesse Cerebi, more

And bonecrusher86 is the name to know...

Anyways...

"Hey kids! What time is it?"

"I'ma gonna let Kevin's Co-worker answer:"

Welcome back to “Reading Cerebus”, a some-what new (mostly) 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, but so far only Dictionary Lass has shown up. Let’s continue.

"A Day In The Pits" - Cerebus #15 (Part 2 of "The Palnu Trilogy")

"A Day In The Pits" - Cerebus #15 (Part 2 of "The Palnu Trilogy")

This week, I want to approach the column in a different way. The quick summary is that Cerebus, still hot on the trail of those responsible for the attempted assassination of Lord Julius, discovers that the rebellion may be gathering in "The Pits" under the city. An expedition finds that while the rebellion has a large serpent, Cerebus has torches which trumps a blind snake every time. As a whole, this issue serves as the middle child, so for the most part, I'm ignoring it this week in lieu of focusing on one story element that I find fascinating: "The Pits".

Courtesy of CerebusDownloads.com

A Night In The Ruts...Err...Pits

Around 20 years ago, my local comic book store, My Parents Basement in Manitowoc, WI (don't bother looking for it, it's long since gone) was preparing to move into a new location to make way for a new library being built on the block the store currently occupied. This new location: an actual basement!

The store's new location would be accessible from a street level walk down with the majority of the store located below the pavement. It had two large windows with a grandiose view of the staircase and about enough street level clearance to ogle the ankles of any passerby. This in itself was rather mundane and depressing, however, what we found behind the walls was utterly fascinating. 

Down On The Corner, Under The Street

As we began to prep the space for new framing and drywall, we discovered something completely unexpected: windows. Bricked over on the backside, we found several windows that faced out towards the street. Unbeknownst to us, the city wasn't always the way that we knew it, it used to be much lower.

Further exploration of the building found more clues that pointed toward this exact end, the most interesting being a bricked off doorway located in a room with the main breaker for the building. This too faced out toward the street.

Was there a great rebellion gathering under the streets of Manitowoc in the late 90's? Did they have a giant snake that would eat unwelcome visitors to their lair? No clue. Why? Because everything was bricked off and the owner kept taking away our power tools when he saw that mischievous glint in our eyes, that's why.

So if anyone has some power tools laying around, can Matt and I borrow them? I know the current owner of that building and may be up for an adventure in "The Pits". Now where's my trusty aardvark? You never can find good help when you need it.

Final Thoughts

Much like last issue, this issue continues to develop the long form plot of Cerebus, and Dave's portrayal of Lord Julius is a treat for me as a Marx Brother's fan, and the witty dialogue is Groucho all the way.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at the conclusion of "The Palnu Trilogy" in "A Night At The Masque".

Currently Listening To: Pearl Jam - Alive E.P. (Japanese Import)

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 #17

Hi, Everybody!

Dave needs your monies:
CEREBUS IN HELL? THE IRON MANTICORE EPILOGUE (APRIL 13) strips for 2019
CEREBUS IN HELL? THE IRON MANTICORE PART #1 (MAR 30) strips for 2019
CEREBUS IN HELL? / Aardvark-Vanaheim studio-office clean-up clipping panels
And bonecrusher86 is where to look for other items... 

Anyways...

"Hey kids! What time is it?"

"Gee, I dunno, is there a picture of Cerebus reading while eating a bowl of cereal below us, then it must be 'Reading Cerebus' time... yay."

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,

Damn... could you BE less enthusiastic...

The hell man, the hell...

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.

"The Walls of Palnu" - Cerebus #14 (Part 1 of "The Palnu Trilogy")

"The Walls of Palnu" - Cerebus #14 (Part 1 of "The Palnu Trilogy")

I've been waiting all week to dive into this issue after the introduction of Lord Julius last week. Why? Because I love the Marx Brothers, and if what I saw last week was any indication, Dave has a good grasp on capturing the snappy wit of Groucho. Needless to say, this week did not disappoint.

Cerebus, Kitchen Staff Supervisor
This weeks episode centers around an assassination attempt on Lord Julius and Cerebus' attempts at getting to the bottom of who called for it. But first, we get some great Groucho banter:

Courtesy of the Department of redundancy department, and CerebusDownloads.com

Lord Julius: I'll come right to the point! As a reward for saving my son's life, I'd like you to be in charge of my security forces. Your official title will be "Kitchen Staff Supervisor".

Cerebus: Why not "Director of Security Forces"?

LJ: Impossible -- That's the title I gave to the Secretary of the Navy...

C: But, if he's the Secretary of the Navy, why did you give him...?

LJ: When you're running a bureaucracy, the best way to safeguard your job is to make sure you're the only one who knows how the whole thing works.

C: So what does the Secretary of the Navy do?

LJ: He meets twice a week with the cook to plan military strategy.

C: And what is Cerebus supposed to do?

LJ: As I said, You'll be in charge of my security forces! You'll make sure that no one assassinates me. If they do, you're fired.

Cinnamon Crisis on Infinite Earths

Bureaucracy can be hungry business. I'd say, "Ask the schmuck who couldn't wait for Julius' speech to end", but he isn't saying much right now. Why? Oh, right, poisoned. 

Thus begins our overarching plot: Who Want's Lord Julius Dead?

Julius immediately orders the cook to be executed:

Cerebus: But, the cook may be innocent!

Lord Julius: You've obviously never had to eat one of his stuffed tomatoes!

Giepie Import and Export
Discovering that the poison was exotic in nature, Cerebus is lead to a nearby shop specializing in imports and exports. Giepie does not take kindly to Cerebus' line of questioning, knocking a shelf on to the Earth Pig Born, and beating feet to get away.

The Plot Thickens

Continuing his investigation, Cerebus accidentally stumbles upon a meeting of revolutionary forces, taking to the ledges of the city in pursuit of one particularly troublesome individual. The chase however ends in the death of Cerebus' quarry outside the window of Lord Julius.

Final Thoughts
This issue was a lot of fun as the who-done-it gets brought to the forefront and we are given our first long form story in the book. As I said before, Dave hits all the right notes when it comes to Lord Julius' dialogue, and it feels like a lost Marx Brothers' film.

Join me back here next week as I take a look at part 2 of "The Palnu Trilogy" as Cerebus continues his quest to find Lord Julius' would-be assassin.

Currently Listening To: Postcards of the Hanging: Grateful Dead Perform the Songs of Bob Dylan

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.