Sim, Dave - CEREBUS THE AARDVARK #118 Interior Page
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PUBLISHER: Aardvark/Vanaheim
COMMENTS: A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Dave Sim and Gerhard pencils and inks; Cerebus #118 Last Page Original Art (Aardvark-Vanaheim, 1989); image size 10" x 15"
“Cerebus”, “Jaka” and “Rick Nash” located inside a mountain tavern with a breath-taking view of the Lower City
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Dave Sim and Gerhard pencils and inks; Cerebus #118 Last Page Original Art (Aardvark-Vanaheim, 1989); image size 10" x 15"
“Cerebus”, “Jaka” and “Rick Nash” located inside a mountain tavern with a breath-taking view of the Lower City
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
Dave Sim and Gerhard pencils and inks; Cerebus #118 Last Page Original Art (Aardvark-Vanaheim, 1989); image size 10" x 15"
“Cerebus”, “Jaka” and “Rick Nash” located inside a mountain tavern with a breath-taking view of the Lower CityPublished January 18, 1989, a treasured (one of Gerhard’s favorites) and memorable page from Jaka’s Story. Dave Sim coupled with Gerhard’s incomparable line work and attention to detail produce one of the finest pages from the series’ 300 issues! From the figurative and literal reflection of the character in panel 2 to the window sill shadow cast upon his visage in panel 3 to the outer intricacies of the mountainside inn as the title character is seen looking down upon the Lower City from his 3rd floor room’s window in panel 4. The art is accomplished in ink over graphite on extra thick 11 1/2" x 17 1/2" Bristol board and the image area measures approximately 10 x 15 inches. It is signed by both artists in the upper left and is in excellent condition. Exquisite!
About Cerebus:
Cerebus; also Cerebus the Aardvark, is a comic book series created by Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim, which ran from December 1977 until March 2004. The title character of the 300-issue series is an anthropomorphic aardvark who takes on a number of roles throughout the series—barbarian, prime minister and Pope among them. The series stands out for its experimentation in form and content, and for the dexterity of its artwork, especially after background artist Gerhard joined with the 65th issue. As the series progressed, it increasingly became a platform for Sim’s controversial beliefs.
In December 1977, Sim began publishing Cerebus, an initially bi-monthly, black-and-white comic book series. It began as a parodic cross between Conan the Barbarian and Howard the Duck. Progressively, Sim shifted his narrative style to story arcs of a few issues’ length. Soon he moved to longer, far more complex “novels”, beginning with the 25-issue storyline High Society which began in issue #26. The sword and sorcery elements in the series, prominent up to that point, were minimized as Sim concentrated more on politics.
Starting with the “High Society” storyline, the series became divided into self-contained “novels”, which form parts of the overall story. The ten “novels” of the series have been collected in 16 books, known as “Cerebus phonebooks” for their resemblance, by way of their thickness, to telephone directories. At a time when the series was about 70% completed, celebrated comic book writer Alan Moore wrote: “Cerebus, as if I need to say so, is still to comic books what Hydrogen is to the Periodic Table”.
The Story:
Jaka’s Story is the fourth major storyline in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim’s Cerebus comics series.
Originally published in Cerebus #114-136, the storyline continues in the wake of the events of “Church and State” and the conquest of the city of lest by the fascist matriarchal Cirinists. Upon Cerebus’ return to lest, he runs into Jaka again. She is illegally working as a dancer in her landlord’s tavern. The landlord/barman, Pud, treats Jaka kindly but secretly spends his days lusting after her. Cerebus agrees to live with Jaka and her husband Rick as their houseguest. The story is interwoven with unreliable tales of Jaka’s childhood told by a writer, representing Oscar Wilde, using notes and stories provided by Rick.
In the end Cerebus disguises himself and travels to the Lower City to buy a jar of paint. While he is gone, the Cirinists find the tavern, kill Pud and arrest Jaka, Rick, and Oscar. Jaka is made to sign a confession of immoral behavior, and is reunited with Rick; however, the Cirinists reveal to Rick that Jaka aborted the son that Rick always wanted. He lashes out at Jaka and is allowed to divorce her (although he is maimed for striking her). Jaka returns to Palnu, and Cerebus returns to the inn to find it in ruins.
The image of the published cover is for reference only.
Read More about this piece at earthshinestudios.com
Artists Information
Dave Sim (born 1956) is a Canadian cartoonist and publisher, best known for his comic book Cerebus, his artistic experimentation, his advocacy of self-publishing and creators’ rights and his controversial political and philosophical beliefs. Sim rose to prominence with Cerebus, which began in December 1977. Sim initially conceived it as a parody of Conan the Barbarian and other sword and sorcery comics, but after two years he began to consider the series a self-contained work that would run for 300 issues and be subdivided into “novels”. By the time the 6000-page work was completed in March 2004, Sim had delved into politics and a controversial examination of feminism and gender, while becoming progressively more sophisticated and experimental in his storytelling and artwork. Sim worked on Cerebus Archives afterward, and produced the comic books Glamourpuss, which examines the history of photorealistic comics and Judenhass, about the Holocaust. Sim co-founded the small press publisher Aardvark-Vanaheim with his wife-to-be, Deni Loubert, in 1977. Most of the titles it published moved to Loubert’s Renegade Press after the couple’s divorce in the mid-1980s. The publishing company later was co-owned by Sim’s creative partner, Gerhard, who dissolved their partnership and sold his stake in the company to Sim in 2007. Sim helped create the Creator’s Bill of Rights in 1988. He has criticized the use of copyright to restrict creators, and has arranged for his body of work to fall into the public domain following his death. Sim has already released one of his works, Judenhass, to the public domain. In December 1977, Sim began publishing Cerebus, an initially bi-monthly, black-and-white comic book series. It began as a parodic cross between Conan the Barbarian and Howard the Duck. Progressively, Sim shifted his narrative style to story arcs of a few issues’ length. Soon he moved to longer, far more complex “novels”, beginning with the 25-issue storyline “High Society” which began in issue #26. The sword and sorcery elements in the series, prominent up to that point, were minimized as Sim concentrated more on politics. Beginning with issue #65 (August 1984), Sim began collaborating with the artist Gerhard, who drew all the backgrounds while Sim, who continued to write the series himself, drew the foreground figures. Gerhard and Sim continued to work together on Cerebus until the series concluded with issue #300, in March 2004. Although Sim did not maintain a consistent monthly schedule for the entire run, which at times required an accelerated production schedule to catch up, he completed the Cerebus series on schedule in March 2004. As the series progressed, it was noted for its tendency towards artistic experimentation. Sim has called the complete run of Cerebus a 6,000-page novel, a view shared by several academic writers and comics historians.
Gerhard (born 1959) is the professional name of a Canadian artist known for the elaborately detailed background illustrations in the comic series Cerebus the Aardvark. Gerhard was born on April 14, 1959, in Edmonton. His association with Dave Sim’s Cerebus began with issue #65 (August 1984), and continued through its conclusion in issue #300, in March, 2004. The series was written by Dave Sim, who also drew the foreground figures, and had worked on the self-published series largely solo for the first 64 issues. Gerhard jokingly described his job saying that he “draws tables and chairs behind an aardvark”. He is also fond of photography, later issues of the comic book have covers based on his scenic photos and sailing. Three years after finishing his work on Cerebus, Gerhard ended his professional and personal relationship with Dave Sim. Although most associated with Cerebus, Gerhard has produced works for other publications, although mostly with Sim. In September 1994, however, he worked with Stephen R. Bissette on the cover to Bissette's Tyrant #1, and colored Sim’s back cover for Oni Press’ Free Speeches #1 (August 1998). Although most associated with Cerebus, Gerhard has produced works for other publications. In September 1994, he worked with Stephen R. Bissette on the cover to Bissette’s Tyrant #1 and colored Sim’s back cover for Oni Press’ Free Speeches #1 (August 1998).
Dave Sim and Gerhard pencils and inks; Cerebus #118 Last Page Original Art (Aardvark-Vanaheim, 1989); image size 10" x 15"
“Cerebus”, “Jaka” and “Rick Nash” located inside a mountain tavern with a breath-taking view of the Lower CityPublished January 18, 1989, a treasured (one of Gerhard’s favorites) and memorable page from Jaka’s Story. Dave Sim coupled with Gerhard’s incomparable line work and attention to detail produce one of the finest pages from the series’ 300 issues! From the figurative and literal reflection of the character in panel 2 to the window sill shadow cast upon his visage in panel 3 to the outer intricacies of the mountainside inn as the title character is seen looking down upon the Lower City from his 3rd floor room’s window in panel 4. The art is accomplished in ink over graphite on extra thick 11 1/2" x 17 1/2" Bristol board and the image area measures approximately 10 x 15 inches. It is signed by both artists in the upper left and is in excellent condition. Exquisite!
About Cerebus:
Cerebus; also Cerebus the Aardvark, is a comic book series created by Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim, which ran from December 1977 until March 2004. The title character of the 300-issue series is an anthropomorphic aardvark who takes on a number of roles throughout the series—barbarian, prime minister and Pope among them. The series stands out for its experimentation in form and content, and for the dexterity of its artwork, especially after background artist Gerhard joined with the 65th issue. As the series progressed, it increasingly became a platform for Sim’s controversial beliefs.
In December 1977, Sim began publishing Cerebus, an initially bi-monthly, black-and-white comic book series. It began as a parodic cross between Conan the Barbarian and Howard the Duck. Progressively, Sim shifted his narrative style to story arcs of a few issues’ length. Soon he moved to longer, far more complex “novels”, beginning with the 25-issue storyline High Society which began in issue #26. The sword and sorcery elements in the series, prominent up to that point, were minimized as Sim concentrated more on politics.
Starting with the “High Society” storyline, the series became divided into self-contained “novels”, which form parts of the overall story. The ten “novels” of the series have been collected in 16 books, known as “Cerebus phonebooks” for their resemblance, by way of their thickness, to telephone directories. At a time when the series was about 70% completed, celebrated comic book writer Alan Moore wrote: “Cerebus, as if I need to say so, is still to comic books what Hydrogen is to the Periodic Table”.
The Story:
Jaka’s Story is the fourth major storyline in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim’s Cerebus comics series.
Originally published in Cerebus #114-136, the storyline continues in the wake of the events of “Church and State” and the conquest of the city of lest by the fascist matriarchal Cirinists. Upon Cerebus’ return to lest, he runs into Jaka again. She is illegally working as a dancer in her landlord’s tavern. The landlord/barman, Pud, treats Jaka kindly but secretly spends his days lusting after her. Cerebus agrees to live with Jaka and her husband Rick as their houseguest. The story is interwoven with unreliable tales of Jaka’s childhood told by a writer, representing Oscar Wilde, using notes and stories provided by Rick.
In the end Cerebus disguises himself and travels to the Lower City to buy a jar of paint. While he is gone, the Cirinists find the tavern, kill Pud and arrest Jaka, Rick, and Oscar. Jaka is made to sign a confession of immoral behavior, and is reunited with Rick; however, the Cirinists reveal to Rick that Jaka aborted the son that Rick always wanted. He lashes out at Jaka and is allowed to divorce her (although he is maimed for striking her). Jaka returns to Palnu, and Cerebus returns to the inn to find it in ruins.
The image of the published cover is for reference only.
Read More about this piece at earthshinestudios.com
Artists Information
Dave Sim (born 1956) is a Canadian cartoonist and publisher, best known for his comic book Cerebus, his artistic experimentation, his advocacy of self-publishing and creators’ rights and his controversial political and philosophical beliefs. Sim rose to prominence with Cerebus, which began in December 1977. Sim initially conceived it as a parody of Conan the Barbarian and other sword and sorcery comics, but after two years he began to consider the series a self-contained work that would run for 300 issues and be subdivided into “novels”. By the time the 6000-page work was completed in March 2004, Sim had delved into politics and a controversial examination of feminism and gender, while becoming progressively more sophisticated and experimental in his storytelling and artwork. Sim worked on Cerebus Archives afterward, and produced the comic books Glamourpuss, which examines the history of photorealistic comics and Judenhass, about the Holocaust. Sim co-founded the small press publisher Aardvark-Vanaheim with his wife-to-be, Deni Loubert, in 1977. Most of the titles it published moved to Loubert’s Renegade Press after the couple’s divorce in the mid-1980s. The publishing company later was co-owned by Sim’s creative partner, Gerhard, who dissolved their partnership and sold his stake in the company to Sim in 2007. Sim helped create the Creator’s Bill of Rights in 1988. He has criticized the use of copyright to restrict creators, and has arranged for his body of work to fall into the public domain following his death. Sim has already released one of his works, Judenhass, to the public domain. In December 1977, Sim began publishing Cerebus, an initially bi-monthly, black-and-white comic book series. It began as a parodic cross between Conan the Barbarian and Howard the Duck. Progressively, Sim shifted his narrative style to story arcs of a few issues’ length. Soon he moved to longer, far more complex “novels”, beginning with the 25-issue storyline “High Society” which began in issue #26. The sword and sorcery elements in the series, prominent up to that point, were minimized as Sim concentrated more on politics. Beginning with issue #65 (August 1984), Sim began collaborating with the artist Gerhard, who drew all the backgrounds while Sim, who continued to write the series himself, drew the foreground figures. Gerhard and Sim continued to work together on Cerebus until the series concluded with issue #300, in March 2004. Although Sim did not maintain a consistent monthly schedule for the entire run, which at times required an accelerated production schedule to catch up, he completed the Cerebus series on schedule in March 2004. As the series progressed, it was noted for its tendency towards artistic experimentation. Sim has called the complete run of Cerebus a 6,000-page novel, a view shared by several academic writers and comics historians.
Gerhard (born 1959) is the professional name of a Canadian artist known for the elaborately detailed background illustrations in the comic series Cerebus the Aardvark. Gerhard was born on April 14, 1959, in Edmonton. His association with Dave Sim’s Cerebus began with issue #65 (August 1984), and continued through its conclusion in issue #300, in March, 2004. The series was written by Dave Sim, who also drew the foreground figures, and had worked on the self-published series largely solo for the first 64 issues. Gerhard jokingly described his job saying that he “draws tables and chairs behind an aardvark”. He is also fond of photography, later issues of the comic book have covers based on his scenic photos and sailing. Three years after finishing his work on Cerebus, Gerhard ended his professional and personal relationship with Dave Sim. Although most associated with Cerebus, Gerhard has produced works for other publications, although mostly with Sim. In September 1994, however, he worked with Stephen R. Bissette on the cover to Bissette's Tyrant #1, and colored Sim’s back cover for Oni Press’ Free Speeches #1 (August 1998). Although most associated with Cerebus, Gerhard has produced works for other publications. In September 1994, he worked with Stephen R. Bissette on the cover to Bissette’s Tyrant #1 and colored Sim’s back cover for Oni Press’ Free Speeches #1 (August 1998).