A MOMENT OF CEREBUS

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Odd Transformations 4. . .part 4

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.

This past February in The Thing on Cerebus’ Head we saw a page from Dave’s eleventh notebook. The notebook book supposedly covered Cerebus #96 though 102, and had 114 pages scanned. I noticed we haven’t seen page one of this notebook on AMoC, so I took a look at it.

Notebook #11, page 1

So there is a thumbnail for the cover to Cerebus #96, but the text that goes along with it? That is for issue #95, page 12 and 13. Which we looked at the rough page layouts from Notebook #10, page 109, in Odd Transformations. . .4 way back in May 2016. There were only 115 pages scanned in notebook #10, so page 109 is pretty closed to the end of that notebook. I can see how the dialogue would flow over to this notebook.

Page two continues the dialogue, most of which makes the finished page, but there is some unused dialogue as well.

Notebook #11, page 2

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Strangers in Cerebus Cover Update

Benjamin Hobbs:

Last year I showed the early draft of the cover for STRANGERS IN CEREBUS:

And Dave's suggestions for the cover:

This is the new updated cover:

Next Week: Batvark Penis is IN STORES!

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Can you figure out the bit?

Hi, Everybody!

Order HERMANN #1! (The NEW CiH?), buy Batvark: PENIS on the 30th, check out the new Cerebus masks and whatnots, Signed copies of Vark Wars: Walt's Empire Strikes Back (Signed by Dave, Signed by Dave and me, Signed by me after I scribble out Dave's name, Pretty much available Signed only...), don't forget cerebusoverload.com or their eBay auctions: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721028403 (Misprinted #1), https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721035463 (Sketch Card with a Sketch by Dave), https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721036009 (Another Sketch Card with a Sketch by Dave), And an update:

Hi everyone,

As of today every Kickstarter package has been shipped. We note that some of you still have not filled out your reward surveys and as soon as those last few come in we will get those out quickly.

A few notes..

1. We packed and shipped nearly 700 packages and in all fairness there may be an occasional mistake, though we did our best to ensure that every package was accurate. If you have any issues with your pledge, just let us know and we will rememdy any issues.

2. This question has come a few times in recent days. We did pack the posters separately because they are rolled and couldn't fit into the small packages. However, the tubes were inserted into some of the larger boxes.

3. There are sporadic delays within the U.S. postal system. We ask for your patience in waiting for your package. If 4 weeks from now you still have not received your shipment, let us know and we will replace any missing packages that cannot be tracked.

4. Many of you have asked about our upcoming remastered and expanded Spawn No. 10. It's pretty much ready and we're finalizing the loose ends. There will be a formal announcement soon.

Many MANY thanks to all of you who supported our Cerebus No. 1 Kickstarter. We couldn't be happier with how everything turned out and hope you enjoy your books!

And bid on a slightly used copy of SODAR:

Bidding starts at $50 (USD)

I was gonna review this, but after a brush with the Law, my evening has been eaten by car repair.

So:

"What the hell is it?" Soon, grasshopper, soon...

Next Time: Hobbs. I gotta get to bed...

Monday, 21 September 2020

Please Hold For Wilf Jenkins

Hi, Everybody!

I have spoken (on the record) with Wilf Jenkins:

I'm not sure which reader questions Wilf answered, but if you feel he neglected one you asked, let me know, and I'll see about making him do this again.

Dave's release.

________________________

Bidding starts at $50 (USD)

And the Monday report:

Next Time: The AMOC SODAR review...

Sunday, 20 September 2020

Cerebus Around the World and Web #46 by Oliver Simonsen

Hi, Everybody!

Wilf Jenkins is calling me this afternoon, and the next AMOC podcast will be up tomorrow.

Order HERMANN #1! (The NEW CiH?), buy Batvark: PENIS on the 30th, check out the new Cerebus masks and whatnots, don't forget cerebusoverload.com or their eBay auctions: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721028403 (Misprinted #1), https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721035463 (Sketch Card with a Sketch by Dave), https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721036009 (Another Sketch Card with a Sketch by Dave), and bid on a slightly used copy of SODAR:

Bidding starts at $50 (USD)

____________________________

Oliver Simonsen:

Friday one of our animators, Kris Houge, passed away.

Kris did among other things some Pigts and Bran Mak Muffin animation

Sky High is off to a flying start on the animation for the film's dream sequence (click link to see animated gif) https://twitter.com/CerebusFilm/status/1305003467509882880

It's part of an adaptation of this scene
https://momentofcerebus.blogspot.com/2014/05/cerebus-dreams-ii.html
figure the statue and broken mirror(?) ties in nicely with the film's focus on Cerebus' Fractured Destiny and Pigt Statue...and later Thrunk and other fractured chaotic manifestations. (If Cerebus hadn't traded in his "Northern Barbarian Warrior Helmet" for a "Merchant Vest" the Pigt statue would have come alive and done his bidding making Cerebus brute force triumphant.)

[Click for bigger -Matt]

Judenhass recommended to US Holocaust Musem
https://twitter.com/Antonio11637899/status/1306335016239198208

Bleeding Cool spotlights upcoming "Cerebus In Hell?" Rorschach parody
https://twitter.com/bleedingcool/status/1307138940152016896
https://twitter.com/bleedingcool/status/1306959011456180225

First Comics News spotlights "Cerebus In Hell?" Rorschach parody
https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/aardvark-vanaheim-comics-december-2020-solicitations/

Dave Sim and Alex Raymond
https://twitter.com/britney_spheres/status/1306698639205687296

Cerebus praised and recommended in Spanish
https://twitter.com/bosquedematices/status/1306358841345482752

Cerebus, Alan Moore and Spawn in Portuguese
https://twitter.com/osumpasabe/status/1306422037418778624

Reading Cerebus in Iceland
https://twitter.com/bjornhalldors/status/1305252814197751808

James Windsor-Smith fills sketchbook with Cerebus drawings

Problems viewing this video? Watch directly on YouTube...

Cerebus for President
https://twitter.com/Sherry60504887/status/1305934137157734401

Cerebus for Cerberus
https://twitter.com/ThewizardofGos/status/1306225576747978752

Cerebus for Bernie
https://twitter.com/Diatima2/status/1304815844354977792

Youtube look at Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4x9lqKhfWk
https://twitter.com/lukekorolowicza/status/1306392976424349696

Guy reading Cerebus wikipedia entry - I don't get it
https://youtu.be/9sfOCYy4ct8
https://youtu.be/C8TKcl3wsWc

"The Adventures of Simone & Ajax" comic kickstarter compared to Cerebus and Bone
https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/the-adventures-of-simone-ajax-lemmings-and-tigers-and-bears-oh-my-preview-1/

Fantagraphics wanting to publish Cerebus
https://twitter.com/millerunc/status/1306287494271586307

C. Donají Angel R. shares his drawing of Cerebus and crew
https://twitter.com/TorvoComics/status/1306379426880512001

Cerebus and Ninja Spawn
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/ninja-spawn-spawn-310-100-000-copies-sold/

Elrod and "The Batman who laughs"
https://twitter.com/KeithAlanMorgan/status/1304890595631009792

Cerebus and Watchmen
https://twitter.com/RKemb/status/1306345749945503744

Cerebus, Groo and Spider-Ham
https://twitter.com/JuanSelles1/status/1306993103119593472

Cerebus and Man-Thing
https://twitter.com/TechMonkeyTy/status/1306850966835048448

A Cerebus life lived
https://twitter.com/AnishMasharani/status/1306426645847384066

Dave Sim and Rob Liefeld
https://twitter.com/packbawky/status/1305945438273511424

Cerebus and Neal Adams - signed
https://twitter.com/fletch_penna/status/1307042070759010304

Cerebus panels shared
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQ0hvOhcMv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFOQ97lBXRz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJHgE4hXv2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

CEREBUS FACEBOOK GROUP

Keith Callbeck: "I wrote this a few years back for a Sequart book that never saw the light of day. It has a few quotes I got from creators that only appear here, so figured I'd post it for historians at least."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3325903927476959/
https://archive.org/details/your-creator-is-still-with-you-15-05-24/page/4/mode/2up

Anthony Kuchar: "I feel like I’ve given this stress to artist when I ask for weird commissions."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3321623167905035/

James Windosr-Smith: I'm writing to Dave in my sketchbook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3323161871084498/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3322299201170765/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3322863017781050/

James Windsor-Smith shares latest acquisition
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3322171607850191/

Eric Fletcher shares latest acquisition
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3313350585398960/

Larry Wooten shares latest acquisition
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3325814327485919/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3315523151848370/

[Click for bigger -Matt]

Larry Wooten "Cerebus in hell?" memes
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3325834224150596/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3326044307462921/

Ron Essler advice: Son, ah say Son, you're goin' about this all wrong... Hobbs, Son, you gotta bug Hobbs, pester that is...

Larry:

Dan Eckhart: If you could have any amount of Cerebus, how much would you want?
ALL OF IT. Each one is #1 of 1, signed, and personalized with a different note from Dave.
Also, a bonus comic from the printer!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3319372764796742/

Kenneth W. Lieck: If you built a robot Cerebus, what would it look like?
(From Planet Comics #73, 1953)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3314984805235538/

Sam Noir shares past Cerebus news items
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3311631405570878/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3310719708995381/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3310479929019359/

James Windsor Smith shares from Comics Journal (#163 thanks Margaret!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3308410209226331/

For more sketches and notebooks check out Margaret Liss' weekly column here at "A Moment of Cerebus"
https://momentofcerebus.blogspot.com/search/label/Dave%20Sim%27s%20Notebooks

Michael Norwitz shares Tom Brevoort Cerebus review of issue 36: "This is a hell of an issue, in particular when read within the context of the larger run. Even regardless of that, it still packs an emotional punch. Sim’s ear for dialogue and the musical rhythm of his characters’ speech is in fine tune by this point."
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3310679445666074/
https://tombrevoort.com/2020/09/12/perfect-game-cerebus-36/

John Slevin: Here’s another Cerebus Ceramic: #6 Prime Minister
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3313195885414430
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363106421108

Graydon VanRy: "I don’t remember, did we ever learn where and when Cerebus got that black sword? Or why it’s so special?"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3313412578726094/
In the comments Margaret:
Notes on Cerebus' sword: "According to Dave, Cerebus' found the helmet, medallions, and sword in his travels (issue 196). As he is seen with these objects in issue 1, it had to be prior to that time.
Cerebus loses the sword in issue 14. Jaka Tavers returns it to him in issue 36.
Also according to Dave (in issue 195 and issue 196), these three items were crafted by a Pigt shaman-king from a hard, gray metal. The shaman-king gathered his people together and stated that those items would be his, and he plunged the sword into his chest spilling his blood all over the items and killing himself in the process. This gave the objects a special power, which if Cerebus had been in possession of all three when he met the Pigts in issue 5 they would have turned into gold and he could have commanded the large stone aardvark sculpture."
(emphasis mine:))

Chris Howard shares his Cerebus drawings
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cerebus/permalink/3313215005412518/

________________________________________

Thanks Oliver!

Next Time: Please Hold For Wilf Jenkins!

Saturday, 19 September 2020

WILF JENKINS WEEK! Treasures from the Ol' AMOC Mailbag that have very little to do with Wilf Jenkins...

Hi, Everybody!

HERMANN #1! (The NEW CiH?) Final order cut-off is October 22nd. I guess Spider-Whore has reached the Final Order Cut-off. The Amicable Spider-Vark is in stores now, and Batvark: PENIS will join it on the 30th. Not sure about Batvark: XXXXX, as it has two different listings according to Previews. (Ain't keeping up with this fun?) Signed copies of Vark Wars: Walt's Empire Strikes Back (Signed by Dave, Signed by Dave and me, Signed by me after I scribble out Dave's name, Pretty much available Signed only...)

Speaking of Cerebus in Hell?, the Ol' AMOC Mailbag had my copies of The Virgin Batvark: PENIS:

That's a lot of Aardvark wang in my hands...

Here's the front and back:

I got numbers 242-251 of 253. I don't know what I'm gonna do with the seven copies I don't really need. Ideas?

____________
Cerebus masks and whatnots with all the money going to Dave. New product has been added.

Here's something I've been screwing around with...

Speaking of CiH? merch, I got this in the Ol' AMOC Mailbag from David Birdsong:

Anybody got any huge wads of cash?

___________________

If you missed the Kickstarter for Dave and Carson Grubaugh's You Don't Know Jack, Indiegogo, until Sean and Carson remember to end it... They got limited quantities of The Strange Death of Alex Raymond California Test Market Fund Raising Edition are available.

Speaking of The Strange Death of Alex Raymond California Test Market Fund Raising Edition, the Ol' AMOC Mailbag had MY copy, along with two back-ups Eddie sent me:

So, I got my signed one to keep on a shelf, an unsigned one I can read and re-read, and a third one I can offer for auction right here on AMOC to you fine people. Since Eddie and Dave were asking for $50 (USD) back when you could order them, I'm starting the bidding at $50 (USD). And there's ONLY a 50% chance that the copy you get has been "Costanza-ed"...

___________________
IT'S WILF JENKINS WEEK*!!!

As you all know, Wilf Jenkins was the Aardvark/Vanaheim lawyer for years, and during that time he was on the comp list. Wilf saved all his copies. Dave and Wilf have signed them, and there's a certificate of authenticity.The books will be available from Looking For Heroes, for $10 (CAD) plus $4 dollars shipping to Canada and $5 dollars shipping to the USA. All the money goes to the Food Bank of the Waterloo Region.

(I have no idea if the books are available yet, I haven't HEARD anything, so...)

Since this is Wilf Jenkins Week*, we're gonna "Wilf it up" and do a Please Hold For Wilf Jenkins. On Sunday, so, if you got a question for Dave's lawyer (1982-2014), send it in to momentofcerebus@gmail.com, or post it here.
____________________

If you missed the Waverly Press Kickstarter for the Remastered Cerebus #1, limited overflow of the rewards are available at cerebusoverload.com. Hey, update:

Cerebus Overload Ebay surprise!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721028403 (Misprinted #1)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721035463 (Sketch Card with a Sketch by Dave)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254721036009 (Another Sketch Card with a Sketch by Dave)

Speaking of the Waverly Press Kickstarter for the Remastered Cerebus #1, the Ol' AMOC Mailbag has gotten a TON of stuff recently:

Here's the post card, two bookmarks, two shiny prototype stickers, the regular sticker, and an "Oslo" card. Available at cerebusoverload.com

So the sideways one is the bookmark you got from the campaign, also available on cerebusoverload.com, the bottom two on the left is the front and back of a prototype bookmark.

As you can see, the prototype bookmark is on the bottom, the regular one has been trimmed on the left.

This is the prototype of Card #1.

Prototype of Card #2

Prototype Card #3

Prototype Card #4

Prototype Card #5

The backs of the Prototype Cards

The cards you can get from cerebusoverload.com. The Elf, Candidate Cerebus, and Henrot were add-ons to the Kickstarter, and the Regency is a promo for the Regency Edition.