Cerebus the Aardvark (1977–2004): Dave Sim's 300-Issue Independent Landmark
Cerebus the Aardvark (1977–2004): Dave Sim's 300-Issue Independent Landmark
300 issues, two creators and one very grumpy aardvark. Here is what we love about the self-published series that proved one person's vision could carry a comic for over a quarter of a century.
Most comic characters come from a big publisher with a department of editors. Cerebus the Aardvark came from one man in Canada, working from a small company he ran himself. Dave Sim started the book in 1977 as a parody of sword-and-sorcery comics, and it ended 300 issues later, in 2004, as one of the most ambitious things ever put out by an independent creator.
At Siomic Comics we love it when a series refuses to be pigeonholed, and Cerebus is exactly that. Here is our guide to the story of the run, the people behind it, the issues to look out for and why so many creators still point to it as an inspiration.
Cerebus at a glance
- Publisher: Aardvark-Vanaheim, Dave Sim's own company
- Run: 300 issues, from December 1977 to March 2004
- Creator: Dave Sim, writing and drawing the characters
- Backgrounds: Gerhard, who joined as background artist from issue #65
- First appearance: Cerebus the Aardvark in #1; Jaka in #6
- Big storylines: High Society, Church & State, Jaka's Story, Melmoth, Mothers & Daughters, Guys, Rick's Story, Going Home, Latter Days
- Collected as: Sixteen big black-and-white volumes known as the 'phone books'
- Famous crossover: A meeting with Todd McFarlane's Spawn in Spawn #10
An aardvark in a world of barbarians
The series began in December 1977 as a spoof of sword-and-sorcery comics, especially Marvel's Conan the Barbarian. The hero is an anthropomorphic aardvark, a mercenary with a sarcastic streak who gets dragged into one adventure after another. The early issues, with titles like The Flame Jewel and Captive in Boreala, are broad, funny and full of parodies, including a swordsman called Elrod who is a playful take on Michael Moorcock's Elric.
It did not stay a parody. By the time Sim reached #26, the story had turned toward politics, and the book keeps getting bigger and stranger from there. Fans even have a name for what happens, calling a comedy that grows serious over time Cerebus syndrome.
Sim, Gerhard and the choice to self-publish
Everything about the way Cerebus was made is unusual. Dave Sim wrote the stories and drew the characters, and a background artist named Gerhard joined from issue #65 to draw the architecture and scenery, which gave the later issues their incredibly detailed look. Sim published the book himself through his company, Aardvark-Vanaheim, in the early days with his then-partner Deni Loubert as publisher.
His success showed other creators that going it alone was possible. Artists such as Jeff Smith (Bone), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise) and Martin Wagner (Hepcats) have all been linked with the example Sim set. He also turned down a buyout offer from DC in the 1980s, preferring to keep ownership of his character.
The big storylines
Cerebus is planned as a single long story, and Sim divided it into chapters which collectors still refer to by name:
| Story | Issues | What it's about |
|---|---|---|
| Cerebus (the early arc) | #1–25 | The parody and adventure opening |
| High Society | #26–50 | Cerebus becomes prime minister of Iest |
| Church & State | #52–111 | Cerebus becomes pope, with a meeting with the Judge on the Moon |
| Jaka's Story | #114–136 | Often cited as the high point of the run |
| Melmoth | #139–150 | Focused on Oscar Wilde's last days |
| Mothers & Daughters | #151–200 | Four books: Flight, Women, Reads and Minds |
| Guys | #201–219 | Cerebus runs a bar |
| Rick's Story | #220–231 | Rick becomes a religious figure |
| Going Home and Form & Void | #232–265 | The journey to Sand Hills Creek |
| Latter Days | #266–288 | Religious themes take centre stage |
| The Last Day | #289–300 | The end of Cerebus |
High Society and Jaka's Story
High Society, which begins at #26, is where many readers say the series came alive. Cerebus is thrown into the politics of a city-state, among a cast of well-drawn politicians such as Lord Julius, a character modelled on Groucho Marx. It is a sharp satire, and because it ends at #50 it is a good first taste of the book.
Jaka's Story (#114 to #136) is the other chapter people name first. Jaka, introduced in #6, becomes the emotional centre of the whole series, and this storyline is the one most often put forward as the narrative peak of the run.
Key issues to know
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | December 1977 | First appearance of Cerebus the Aardvark |
| #6 | 1978 | First appearance of Jaka |
| #26 | 1981 | The start of High Society |
| #100 | 1987 | A milestone issue, titled Endgame, with a print run of around 36,000 |
| #114 | 1988 | The start of Jaka's Story |
| #139 | 1990 | The start of Melmoth |
| #201 | 1995 | The start of Guys |
| #300 | March 2004 | The final issue |
The creators behind the comic
Dave Sim
Writer and artist of the characters across the entire 300 issues.
Gerhard
Background artist from #65 and cover artist on a large part of the later run.
Deni Loubert
Early publisher of Aardvark-Vanaheim and a key part of the self-publishing story.
Alan Moore
The writer has publicly praised the series, which helped it reach new readers.
Curiosities collectors should know
The phone books
The 300 issues were collected into 16 enormous black-and-white volumes known as the phone books because of their thickness, printed on the same newsprint as the comics.
The mail-order trick
The first High Society phone book was sold by mail order only, which annoyed distributors but still grossed over $150,000.
Cerebus Number Zero
A special issue in 1992 sits outside the main count as #0.
A parody list
The cast includes a Groucho-style politician, a Moorcock-style swordsman and a superhero parody called Roach.
Public domain plans
Sim has said that Cerebus will enter the public domain after he and Gerhard are gone, and he allows other creators a general licence to use the characters.
Still being drawn
The character has turned up in new work, including the Cerebus in Hell? series from 2016.
Cerebus beyond the comics
- Spawn #10: Cerebus crossed over with Todd McFarlane's Spawn, and Sim donated his fee to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
- Swords of Cerebus: an early line of collected volumes issued between 1981 and 1986.
- Cerebus in Hell?: a series that began in 2016.
- Translations: the series has been published in languages including Italian and Spanish.
Why this run still matters
Cerebus is proof that a comic can be a one-person epic. Wizard, Empire and IGN have all placed the aardvark in their lists of top comic characters, and the idea of Cerebus syndrome has become a handy phrase for any humorous work that turns serious. If you are interested in the story of independent comics, Cerebus is a very good place to start.
Where to start reading Cerebus
The usual advice is to begin with #1 to see how it all started, then read High Society (#26 to #50) for the series at its sharpest. After that, Jaka's Story (#114 to #136) is the standard next step. If you like the idea of long-run comics, the phone-book collections are the easiest way to read it from beginning to end.
Cerebus covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#6
#26
#67
#91
#114
#139
#300Browse our Cerebus back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#100
Cerebus #100: Endgame
The hundredth issue, with a print run of around 36,000, and one of the key issues of the Church & State era.
View our copy -
#112
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#120
Cerebus #120: Jaka's Story, Book Two
From the story many fans name as the narrative high point of the run.
View our copy -
#137
Cerebus #137: Jaka's Story Epilogue
A closing chapter of Jaka's Story, with Gerhard's backgrounds on show.
View our copy -
#167
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#201
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#214
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#242
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Cerebus comics.
Frequently asked questions about Cerebus
When did Cerebus the Aardvark start?
Cerebus began in December 1977 and ran for 300 issues until March 2004.
Who created Cerebus?
Dave Sim created and wrote the series and drew the characters, with Gerhard providing backgrounds from issue #65.
Who published Cerebus?
Sim published the book himself through his company Aardvark-Vanaheim.
What is the first appearance of Cerebus?
Cerebus the Aardvark first appears in Cerebus #1, cover-dated December 1977.
What are the phone books?
The 300 issues were collected into 16 large black-and-white volumes known as the phone books, because they are so thick.
What is High Society in Cerebus?
High Society is the storyline in issues #26 to #50 in which Cerebus becomes prime minister of the city-state of Iest.
Where should I start reading Cerebus?
Start with #1 or with High Society at #26, then try Jaka's Story from #114.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Cerebus comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Cerebus the Aardvark and all related characters are the property of Dave Sim and Gerhard. Cover images are shown for reference.