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A review by darylnash
Cerebus by Dave Sim
3.0
The first several issues are very rough, more homage to Conan comics than parody, except for having an aardvark standing in for the heavy-thewed barbarian. They improve dramatically as they go along, but even Elrod and the Cockroach were not as amusing as I remember. The book really starts to improve with the appearance of Lord Julius, and Sim's deft use of dialogue and voice, one of his greatest talents, comes to the fore in the teen issues. The first Mind Game, in issue 20, is not as trippy as subsequent instances, but it does introduce the conflict that will become central to the later series: The mother-loving Cirinists verses... well, everybody.
Knowing what's coming later in the 300 issues, I can't help but look for signs of misogyny in these early stories. If it's there, I don't see it. The female characters are no better nor worse, no wiser nor stupider, than the male characters. I did find it interesting to note that in the first "quote" from one of Cirin's books is the phrase: "As we learn to face toward the hub of the wheel, it is incumbent upon us all to show the path of reason, of love, and of obedience to those who are unable to perceive the symmetry of mother, child, and the true path." Now her concept of "reason" may be different from Viktor Davis' in the infamous screed from 186, but it seems to be a far cry from those "Female Voids" that devour male reason.
Can I enjoy re-tracing the journey of Cerebus knowing that the end will disappoint me? We'll see. Next up: High Society, which takes the goofy earth-pig barbarian to a whole new level.
Knowing what's coming later in the 300 issues, I can't help but look for signs of misogyny in these early stories. If it's there, I don't see it. The female characters are no better nor worse, no wiser nor stupider, than the male characters. I did find it interesting to note that in the first "quote" from one of Cirin's books is the phrase: "As we learn to face toward the hub of the wheel, it is incumbent upon us all to show the path of reason, of love, and of obedience to those who are unable to perceive the symmetry of mother, child, and the true path." Now her concept of "reason" may be different from Viktor Davis' in the infamous screed from 186, but it seems to be a far cry from those "Female Voids" that devour male reason.
Can I enjoy re-tracing the journey of Cerebus knowing that the end will disappoint me? We'll see. Next up: High Society, which takes the goofy earth-pig barbarian to a whole new level.