Cerebus Challenge

[Gordie]

I started re-re-re-reading my Cerebus phone books from the beginning.
Anyone care to join me?

[VinceB]

 

Interesting.

Last couple dozen issues be damned, I'm always up for revisiting this classic. Don't know if I'd be able to do it what with having to read stuff for the show and all. Sure, I could do a short ongoing segment in addition to my regular stuff, but would people grow tired of hearing about the ornery aardvark after a couple installments? Further pondering required...

[DonCardenas]

Interesting.

Last couple dozen issues be damned, I'm always up for revisiting this classic. Don't know if I'd be able to do it what with having to read stuff for the show and all. Sure, I could do a short ongoing segment in addition to my regular stuff, but would people grow tired of hearing about the ornery aardvark after a couple installments? Further pondering required...

Ponder nothing! Do it sir!   

I highly doubt anyone would object, and if they did, they are on walkabout anyway! 

[Gordie]

I know it can be hard to keep things simple on air, but you could toss out a couple of words here and there.
I have no fear of my Yeti and could add commentary.

[VinceB]

While we're on the subject, did Sim ever publish collections of the Cerebus lettercols? I think the reader correspondence and his reactions to same were an integral part of the Cerebus experience. One of the few comics where the side dishes were as enjoyable as the main course.

[RickV]

I keep meaning to buy those and am going to one point they are on the "I need to own this list" but so are a lot of other things too.

[Scott C.]

While we're on the subject, did Sim ever publish collections of the Cerebus lettercols? I think the reader correspondence and his reactions to same were an integral part of the Cerebus experience. One of the few comics where the side dishes were as enjoyable as the main course.

I think there is a collection of some of the letter columns but I can't find it on Amazon or Instock Trades.  For some reason, I believe the collection is from later columns and somehow focuses on the letters discussing Sim's gender issues.

I started the first phonebook a couple of weeks ago and have to get back to it.  I haven't read those early issues in nearly forever.

[VinceB]

I started the first phonebook a couple of weeks ago and have to get back to it.  I haven't read those early issues in nearly forever.

Even though the art in those first 25 is a tad rough and disgustingly indebted to BWS, you could tell the guy was going to be something really special. I disagree with those that claim the first phonebook is a hard slog. I think it's a treat to experience Sim's transformation from an enthusiastic rough-around-the-edges artist into one of the medium's all-time greats. Happens pretty damn quickly, too.

[Scott C.]

Even though the art in those first 25 is a tad rough and disgustingly indebted to BWS, you could tell the guy was going to be something really special. I disagree with those that claim the first phonebook is a hard slog. I think it's a treat to experience Sim's transformation from an enthusiastic rough-around-the-edges artist into one of the medium's all-time greats. Happens pretty damn quickly, too.

I never really cared for those early stories because I didn't think that Sim had any idea what he was doing other than a Conan homage.  Reading the first 10 issues again, I was surprised and delighted by Sim's stories, at how quickly he established who Cerebus was and how much was there that he would call back to years later in Church and State and in Mothers and Daughters.  He's obviously laying groundwork and while he may not have known what e was going to do with it, he came back to it eventually and made it part of the story he was telling.

I haven't read much beyond Rick's Story.  That's where Sim lost me but I need to pick them up.  I saw a bunch of those later books at a Half Priced Books last weekend and have been trying to figure out when I can get back there to pick them up.

[VinceB]

I saw a bunch of those later books at a Half Priced Books last weekend and have been trying to figure out when I can get back there to pick them up.

Even though I love to shit on the Latter Day + stuff, there's no denying the art is impeccably crafted, especially true of Gerhard's contributions. Adding Ger to the mix is the best decision Sim ever made. Even though the narrative turns completely bugfuck towards the end (It's so left-field and completely self-absorbed to the point where reading the stuff is akin to eavesdropping on a conversation Sim is having with himself, I think it breaks the contract ol' Dave established with his readers very early in the series), I think the quality of the art will be more than enough to pull you through.

[S. Earl]

Ugh, if I wasn't already trying to take down the books I have going on in the 999 challenge I'd join. I remember jumping in head first when I was 20 or so... got to about volume 7 or 8 and then I turned 21 and then it is all a blur and I didn't finish.

[Jon O]

Hmmmm.  This would be fun, and a good excuse to buy more comics.

[Scott C.]

Even though I love to shit on the Latter Day + stuff, there's no denying the art is impeccably crafted, especially true of Gerhard's contributions. Adding Ger to the mix is the best decision Sim ever made. Even though the narrative turns completely bugfuck towards the end (It's so left-field and completely self-absorbed to the point where reading the stuff is akin to eavesdropping on a conversation Sim is having with himself, I think it breaks the contract ol' Dave established with his readers very early in the series), I think the quality of the art will be more than enough to pull you through.

The thing I miss the most about reading the book monthly is the art.  From the covers to Sim and Gerhard's layouts to the lettering, Cerebus is still one of the best-looking comics that was ever produced.  Maybe that's why I never really cared for those early issues where Sim was doing his best BWS impersonation.  For me, Cerebus is Church & State through to the end of issue #200.  I can get lost in Gerhard's backgrounds and the way that Sim could pull emotion out of his characters.  Those characters were just so alive on the page.  The loved.  They hated.  They got incredibly depressed.  And they fought.  After #200, the characters just kind of gave up I felt.  Cerebus didn't have that same essence anymore.  

More than almost any other book, when I pick up a Cerebus issue, it feels like getting back in touch with an old friend.

[FASTorSLOW]

Hmmmm.  This would be fun, and a good excuse to buy more comics.

RIGHT. As they say; in for a penny, in for a pound.

I'm in. I've never read and Cerberus, or any Dave Sim, and I think it's about time I make my own opinions on his work/him.

Are the phone books are they divided by issue? If they are I'm gonna do an issue a day. Anyone else in? Could be like a book club!

[BadDeacon]

I've always wanted to finish reading this series. I think the farthest I've ever gotten is to Rick's Story or Guys or somewhere around there. That was so long ago, I would need to start over to finish it up. That's a lot of reading.

Maybe if there was some organized read through with threads for the different volumes, it would keep me on track to read it all.

[Jeppe]

This reminds that I really need to bind the rest of my Cerebus run 

I might be on board for the first two hundred issues, but I have to throw the towel in the ring after that point.

[Gordie]

Inspiration, for those not yet on board.

[evaD]

How many volumes are there? Between this and the 999 challenge, that might just about cover my reading for the year.

[David]

I would probably join in if not for the wife's NO NEW PAPER law.

[Felipe!!!]

Inspiration, for those not yet on board.

Gordo you're awesome for doing this...

I been slowly been reading Cerebus the last couple of months but I gotta say no to this challenge... I got to much on my plate but Karma for you!!