shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,451
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Post by shaxper on Feb 6, 2016 16:39:03 GMT -5
Something is yet unexplained (and would remain so for a very long time: just what is an aardvark? Nobody seems to react overmuch to the fact that Cerebus isn't human, suggesting that there are more aardvarks around; however, we'll soon see that it isn't so. It's like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon: human characters aren't surprised by the fact they're talking with a bipedal, talking rabbit. I don't mind it at all, but before we learned what aardvarks were, I did wonder about it. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure Sim ever made it clear what was up with their being two anthropomorphic aardvarks in Cerebus' world beyond the idea that they were somehow magical and pre-destined for an important fate. Yeah, pretty weird that no one ever bats an eye at this. It works in the beginning, as there's definitely an absurdist element at work, but it makes less and less sense as the series progresses, especially when Cerebus finally returns home and, we learn, had parents (who, presumably, weren't aardvarks).
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Post by Icctrombone on Feb 6, 2016 17:09:58 GMT -5
Something is yet unexplained (and would remain so for a very long time: just what is an aardvark? Nobody seems to react overmuch to the fact that Cerebus isn't human, suggesting that there are more aardvarks around; however, we'll soon see that it isn't so. It's like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon: human characters aren't surprised by the fact they're talking with a bipedal, talking rabbit. I don't mind it at all, but before we learned what aardvarks were, I did wonder about it. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure Sim ever made it clear what was up with their being two anthropomorphic aardvarks in Cerebus' world beyond the idea that they were somehow magical and pre-destined for an important fate. Yeah, pretty weird that no one ever bats an eye at this. It works in the beginning, as there's definitely an absurdist element at work, but it makes less and less sense as the series progresses, especially when Cerebus finally returns home and, we learn, had parents (who, presumably, weren't aardvarks). I would yell spoilers but I guess it's not vital to the story.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Feb 6, 2016 17:30:48 GMT -5
Something is yet unexplained (and would remain so for a very long time: just what is an aardvark? Nobody seems to react overmuch to the fact that Cerebus isn't human, suggesting that there are more aardvarks around; however, we'll soon see that it isn't so. It's like in a Bugs Bunny cartoon: human characters aren't surprised by the fact they're talking with a bipedal, talking rabbit. I don't mind it at all, but before we learned what aardvarks were, I did wonder about it. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure Sim ever made it clear what was up with their being two anthropomorphic aardvarks in Cerebus' world beyond the idea that they were somehow magical and pre-destined for an important fate. Yeah, pretty weird that no one ever bats an eye at this. It works in the beginning, as there's definitely an absurdist element at work, but it makes less and less sense as the series progresses, especially when Cerebus finally returns home and, we learn, had parents (who, presumably, weren't aardvarks). Three aardvarks! Don't forget Suentus Po Yeah, Cerebus parents were normal people. His appearance was considered odd. I'm pretty convinced Cerebus being an aardvark was just for the sake of having a funny animal for a main character at first. Elric being a Foghorn Leghorn parody suggests that Dave is something of a Bugs Bunny fan. Later on, when the plot demanded a few more serious explanations, the existence of aardvarks was given some measure explanation and it was pretty much stated that they were not a different species but special cases. "We aardvarks... we are all of us different... away from similarities in our appearance. We have... powers. Although the term is really inadequate as descriptions go... power implies control or... rather... that is the common inference drawn. (...) We are an allegory of power in our way. (...) This is the first time in existence three aardvarks have existed simultaneously". (from Reads, the discussion in the throne room). They sure have a striking appearance. I love the design of Cerebus as a character!
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Post by Reptisaurus! on Feb 6, 2016 18:46:01 GMT -5
So my library no longer has a Cerebus vol. 1. (I swear they used to! And Jaka's story and High Society, too!) I did an interlibrary loan, so I'll be participating before the end of the month. Man, I do not remember anything about Cerebus vol. 1.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,451
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Post by shaxper on Feb 6, 2016 18:47:36 GMT -5
I would yell spoilers but I guess it's not vital to the story. I was very careful about what I said and how I said it
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Post by coke & comics on Feb 7, 2016 1:38:17 GMT -5
So my library no longer has a Cerebus vol. 1. (I swear they used to! And Jaka's story and High Society, too!) I did an interlibrary loan, so I'll be participating before the end of the month. Man, I do not remember anything about Cerebus vol. 1. Pick up some Windsor-Smith Conans and follow along with those.
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Post by Reptisaurus! on Feb 8, 2016 21:07:58 GMT -5
The knife fight is hilarious. With a Two Foot Cord! That was my first LOL moment. So I read the first couple issues in the used book store. Better than I remember - I like the versimilitude of the Conan-ish fantasy world. It's a serious setting with a handful of funny characters - only Cerebus, Sophia and Elrod couldn't be straight outta a Roy the Boy fantasy book.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,451
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Post by shaxper on Feb 8, 2016 21:11:26 GMT -5
Once I come down from the Usagi Yojimbo high I am now experiencing as a result of the new section launching, I am going to be all over this thread. Sorry to be dragging!
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Post by Icctrombone on Feb 10, 2016 5:25:11 GMT -5
Once I come down from the Usagi Yojimbo high I am now experiencing as a result of the new section launching, I am going to be all over this thread. Sorry to be dragging! I was wondering about that subform. Did you create it or did usigora come up with the idea? Or is that an alias you're using ?
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,451
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Post by shaxper on Feb 10, 2016 5:27:06 GMT -5
Once I come down from the Usagi Yojimbo high I am now experiencing as a result of the new section launching, I am going to be all over this thread. Sorry to be dragging! I was wondering about that subform. Did you create it or did usigora come up with the idea? Or is that an alias you're using ? I approached usagigoya with the idea. He, dhfujii, and Stan Sakai all liked it
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Post by String on Feb 10, 2016 15:42:31 GMT -5
Count me in for this!
Cerebus was always one of those titles that you'd hear about; edgy, controversial, classic. So back in the early 90s, I decided to finally check it out. I still have the phonebook sized collections and I think I have the series up through Minds but for some reason or another, I never got around to finishing it.
But from what I remember, I really enjoyed the title. Yeah, there's all the debate over Sims' views on cultural, political, religious issues, how and where that influences the character and work but it made for some really creative and dynamic work. Plus, there's still some clues and mysteries within that I never quite understood or caught. (For example, yes, I know something fell, but what was it again? Answers and theories upcoming...)
But half of my comic collection is stored over at my dad's house, which is where all my Cerebus trades are. So off to collect them and play catch up!
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Post by Icctrombone on Feb 10, 2016 17:57:40 GMT -5
Count me in for this! Cerebus was always one of those titles that you'd hear about; edgy, controversial, classic. So back in the early 90s, I decided to finally check it out. I still have the phonebook sized collections and I think I have the series up through Minds but for some reason or another, I never got around to finishing it. But from what I remember, I really enjoyed the title. Yeah, there's all the debate over Sims' views on cultural, political, religious issues, how and where that influences the character and work but it made for some really creative and dynamic work. Plus, there's still some clues and mysteries within that I never quite understood or caught. (For example, yes, I know something fell, but what was it again? Answers and theories upcoming...) But half of my comic collection is stored over at my dad's house, which is where all my Cerebus trades are. So off to collect them and play catch up! I love all your albums... oh wait... your name is String.
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Post by wildfire2099 on Feb 10, 2016 21:32:13 GMT -5
#3 Red Sophia is pretty much a direct rip.. only not as competent a swordswoman. Or perhaps Sim was trying to sorta indirectly show us how awesome Cerebus is . Back to 'Tarim' as the god of choice.. even some other people use it. Cerebus has a complete disregard for women... I think his denigration of Sophia was more about her sword skill.. he's just not interesed in human women at this point, or so it seems. That changes quickly. The ending is worthy of the Giffen JLI I always felt like Sophia's father was meant to be someone in particular, but I don't know who... anyone? In hindsight, a pretty blah issue, I must have just remember being tickled by the parody before
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2016 0:55:04 GMT -5
#3 I always felt like Sophia's father was meant to be someone in particular, but I don't know who... anyone? Henrot was an anagram of/based on Frank Thorne, then artist for Red Sonja. He used to dress as a wizard, pointy hat and all, in convention skits involving women dressed as Sonja.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Feb 11, 2016 6:54:44 GMT -5
Here's Thorne (or at least his hat!), in SSoC #29! (You'll need to scroll down a little).
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