Mothers and Daughters (comics)
Encyclopedia
Mothers & Daughters: a novel is the sixth novel in Canadian
cartoonist
Dave Sim
's Cerebus
comic book
series. Sim considers the novel to be the final portion of the main story. It collects Cerebus #151200 in four volumes, the seventh through tenth volumes of the paperback "phone book" collections of the series, titled Flight, Women, Reads and Minds.
After two quiet, character-focused novels (Jaka's Story
and Melmoth
) in which Cerebus the character took a back-seat rôle, Cerebus springs into action and takes centre stage in the series again. The novel is filled with climactic happenings, including the revelation of the identity of Suenteus Po, a sword battle between Cirin and Cerebus, and Cerebus having a long conversation with his creatorSim himself.
Of particular note are the text portions that made up a large part of the third book of the novel, Reads, and especially what was the last issue making up that bookissue #186, in which Sim speaks to the reader in the first person about his ideas on gender. His writing in that issue about the "Male Light" and the "Female Void" have earned Sim a reputation as a misogynist
and lost him numerous readers.
of Iest (first in High Society
) and then all-powerful Pope, had fallen from grace at the end of Church & State
. The fascist
, matriarchal
Cirinists invaded Iest, and Cerebus went into hiding, first with Jaka (the love of his life) and her husband.
After Jaka is captured by the Cirinists for illegal exotic dancing, Cerebus believes she has been put to death. He takes Jaka's doll, Missy, with him and finds a café at which to spend the rest of his life, paying for it with a rare gold coin, whose value has become superinflated as the Cirinists have collected all the gold in the city.
Cerebus comes out of the near-catatonic
state in which he had spends the duration of Melmoth
when he hears of Jaka's ill-treatment at the hands of the Cirinists. He becomes enraged and starts attacking Cirinists with his sword, clutching Missy to himself.
of each issue. The four books were collected into paperback "phonebook" volumes separately.
Cerebus's return from hiding and slaughter of Cirinsts leads to a very brief revolution. When word reaches Cirin, who is busily having books burned
, she dispatches her army and has the rebellion brutally crushed, but before they can capture Cerebus, he disappears.
Artemis, with Elrod as his sidekick, also stages his own impromptu revolution under his new persona "PunisherRoach", a parody of the Marvel comics character The Punisher, armed with pearl-handled semi-automatic
crossbow
s. Punisherroach plows through the Cirinists before Elrod leads him to a brothel, where he falls for a prostitute named Blossom, which calms him down somewhat.
Mrs. Thatcher and Mrs. Kopp (a parody of former Canadian Member of Parliament
Sheila Copps
) each try to take control of Cirinist power. Cirin works to manage her sect and arrange her own Ascension, while obsessing over Astoria and her connection with Cerebus.
Cerebus ascends into the Seventh Sphere and finally up to the Eight sphere where he speaks with Suenteus Powho, he discovers, is the mysterious third aardvark. Po warns Cerebus not believe what George (th Judge from Church & State
) has told him, s he is not reliable.
Cerebus crashes back to earth. He is assisted by a mysterious old woman who is being openly spied upon by the Cirinists; she sends him to a bar to hide. This story arc includes a parody of Neil Gaiman
's Sandman in which the Roach plays "Swoon" (a parody of Dream) and Elrod plays "Snuff" (a transvestite parody of Death
). Astoria and Cirin symbolically duel in a dream realm. The book includes excerpts from books written by Astoria and Cirin that describe their differing beliefs. Cerebus flies across the city to slay Astoria, but is interrupted by the arrival of Suenteus Po.
This book primarily consists of two long text pieces. These two stories are accompanied by a long discussion between Cirin, Astoria, Cerebus, and Suenteus Po. Po gives information about aardvarks, including that all aardvarks have Cerebus' "magnifier" quality, and attempts to convince each of the others to abandon their pursuits of power and return to what they enjoy doing most, then leaves them to their fates. Astoria is convinced and also leaves, but not before giving Cerebus information about her history with Cirin and also informing him of his hermaphrodite
nature. Cerebus and Cirin then engage in a long and brutal swordfight
, which leads to the beginning of another Ascension.
The first revolves around an author of Reads, which are heavily illustrated books that are popular in Cerebus' world. In this story, there is a strong thread about the dangers of commercial success and "selling out
". The series moves from this storyline to a long essay attributed to Viktor Davis, a fictional Reads author. This essay puts forth a theory on the nature of the genders, describing the "Female Void" focused on feeling, and the "Male Light" focused on reason. It is in the conclusion to this book that Sim produced issue #186, which earned him the reputation of being a misogynist
.
Cerebus and Cirin ascend, then are separated by a mysterious force. As Cerebus flies through the solar system, he is shown images from his past and is forced to reconsider his actions and his faith. He then encounters a disembodied voice calling itself "Dave
" that acknowledges itself as Cerebus's creator. "Dave" shows Cerebus the history of the Cirinist movement, revealing that Cirin is actually named Serna and was the best friend of the real Cirin (the old woman Cerebus encountered in Women), but usurped Cirin's leadership and effectively exchanged identities with her. "Dave" then gives Cerebus information about his past, showing that Cerebus unwittingly ruined his original destiny, causing chaotic repercussions which have influenced most of his adventures. Cerebus demands that "Dave" make Jaka love him; in response, "Dave" shows Cerebus visions of possible futures between himself and Jaka, all of which are disastrously flawed for both of them due to Cerebus' nature. After a period of penance and self-reflection on Pluto
, Cerebus asks "Dave" to place him in a bar he remembers from his mercenary days.
, but Cerebus issue #186 brought him claims of being a misogynist
. In the text piece that appeared in this issue, Sim (through the thinly-veiled guise of Viktor Davis) speaks in the first person about issues of gender and male-female relationships, in which he claims the "Female Void devours the Male Light."
The issue was one part of the Reads portion of Mothers & Daughters and appears in the Reads collection.
state, Cerebus leaps into action and takes centre stage once again. He finally meets the mysterious third aardvark, who turns out to be Suentius Po. It is also revealed that Cerebus is a hermaphrodite
.
Cirin:Leader of the matriarchal
Cirinists who have conquered the city of Iestalso, along with Cerebus, one of only three aardvarks known to exist in Estarcion. She is working to bring about another Ascension, and having a giant gold sphere made in preparation. Cerebus and Cirin have a dramatic swordfight
during the course of Reads. It is later revealed that she is not the real Cirin howeverher real name is Serna, and she has usurped power from the real Cirin, who is now an old, human woman.
Suenteus Po:After appearing only as a voice in Cerebus' head for most of the series, it is finally revealed that he is the third Aardvark.
Astoria:Cirin's greatest matriarchal rival
The Roach:Once again taking on parodic
rôles, first as the "Punisheroach" (after the Marvel
character, The Punisher), and then as "Swoon" (after Neil Gaiman
's take on the Vertigo character, Dream, from The Sandman).
Elrod:The Roach's sidekick
again, Elrod takes on the persona of "Snuff" (a transvestite parody of the Sandman character, Death
).
Originally serialized in Cerebus #151-200, Mothers & Daughters was conceived as one novel, but was collected into four paperback "phonebook" volumes. As in Jaka's Story
and Melmoth
previously, and as in all the Cerebus stories to follow, the issues displayed the current issue number of the Cerebus comic, as well as the current number of the Mothers & Daughters storyline, so that issue #155 of Cerebus was also indicated to be installment #5 of Mothers & Daughters. The four books of Mothers & Daughters, however, were not indicated by name or installment number on the cover.
The Cerebus "phonebook" volumes had text-free spines until the publication of Flight. Afterwards, all volumes (and reprintings of the earlier volumes) had text on their spines, including the title and volume number.
and Melmoth
, which had driven many readers away, the storyline drew considerable fire for what was perceived as the misogyny
of the contents of issue #186, with The Comics Journal
running a mock Nuremberg
-style trial of Sim.
People of Canada
Canadians are the people who are identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be genetic, residential, legal, historical, cultural or ethnic...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
Dave Sim
Dave Sim
David Victor Sim is an award-winning Canadian comic book writer and artist.A pioneer of self-published comics and creators' rights, Sim is best known as the creator of Cerebus the Aardvark, a comic book published from 1977 to 2004, which chronicles its main character in a 6,000-page self-contained...
's Cerebus
Cerebus the Aardvark
Cerebus the Aardvark, or simply Cerebus , is an independent comic book, written and illustrated by Canadian artist Dave Sim, with backgrounds by fellow Canadian Gerhard. Cerebus ran for 300 issues from December 1977 to 2004, and was over 6000 pages long, the longest-running original...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series. Sim considers the novel to be the final portion of the main story. It collects Cerebus #151200 in four volumes, the seventh through tenth volumes of the paperback "phone book" collections of the series, titled Flight, Women, Reads and Minds.
After two quiet, character-focused novels (Jaka's Story
Jaka's Story (comics)
Jaka's Story is the fourth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series.There is danger in the air, as the fascist matriarchal Cirinists have conquered the city of Iest. Cerebus hides from them halfway between the Upper and Lower cities in the mountainside home of Jaka, the...
and Melmoth
Melmoth (comics)
Melmoth is the fifth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. It follows Oscar in his last days leading up until his death, while Cerebus sits catatonic, clutching the doll of Jaka, the woman he loves but believes has been killed.The novel was collected as the sixth...
) in which Cerebus the character took a back-seat rôle, Cerebus springs into action and takes centre stage in the series again. The novel is filled with climactic happenings, including the revelation of the identity of Suenteus Po, a sword battle between Cirin and Cerebus, and Cerebus having a long conversation with his creatorSim himself.
Of particular note are the text portions that made up a large part of the third book of the novel, Reads, and especially what was the last issue making up that bookissue #186, in which Sim speaks to the reader in the first person about his ideas on gender. His writing in that issue about the "Male Light" and the "Female Void" have earned Sim a reputation as a misogynist
Misogyny
Misogyny is the hatred or dislike of women or girls. Philogyny, meaning fondness, love or admiration towards women, is the antonym of misogyny. The term misandry is the term for men that is parallel to misogyny...
and lost him numerous readers.
Background
Cerebus, who had twice been Prime Minister of the city-stateCity-state
A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as a part of another local government.-Historical city-states:...
of Iest (first in High Society
High Society (comics)
High Society is the second collected volume, and first volume-length story, of Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. It focuses mainly on politics, including Cerebus campaign for the office of Prime Minister, in the fictional city-state of Iest in Sim's world of Estarcion...
) and then all-powerful Pope, had fallen from grace at the end of Church & State
Church and State (comics)
Church & State is the third novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. In it, Cerebus once again becomes Prime Minister, and eventually Pope.The 1200-page novel was divided into seven books has been collected in two volumes...
. The fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
, matriarchal
Matriarchy
A matriarchy is a society in which females, especially mothers, have the central roles of political leadership and moral authority. It is also sometimes called a gynocratic or gynocentric society....
Cirinists invaded Iest, and Cerebus went into hiding, first with Jaka (the love of his life) and her husband.
After Jaka is captured by the Cirinists for illegal exotic dancing, Cerebus believes she has been put to death. He takes Jaka's doll, Missy, with him and finds a café at which to spend the rest of his life, paying for it with a rare gold coin, whose value has become superinflated as the Cirinists have collected all the gold in the city.
Cerebus comes out of the near-catatonic
Catatonia
Catatonia is a state of neurogenic motor immobility, and behavioral abnormality manifested by stupor. It was first described in 1874: Die Katatonie oder das Spannungsirresein ....
state in which he had spends the duration of Melmoth
Melmoth (comics)
Melmoth is the fifth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. It follows Oscar in his last days leading up until his death, while Cerebus sits catatonic, clutching the doll of Jaka, the woman he loves but believes has been killed.The novel was collected as the sixth...
when he hears of Jaka's ill-treatment at the hands of the Cirinists. He becomes enraged and starts attacking Cirinists with his sword, clutching Missy to himself.
Books
Sim considers Mothers & Daughters to be one novel, but divided it into four books, as indicated in the indiciaIndicia (publishing)
Indicia is the plural of the Latin word indicium, meaning distinguishing marks.In magazine publishing, indicia refers to a piece of text traditionally appearing on the first recto page after the cover, which usually contains the official name of the publication, its publication date, information...
of each issue. The four books were collected into paperback "phonebook" volumes separately.
Book One: Flight
(Cerebus #151162)Cerebus's return from hiding and slaughter of Cirinsts leads to a very brief revolution. When word reaches Cirin, who is busily having books burned
Book burning
Book burning, biblioclasm or libricide is the practice of destroying, often ceremoniously, books or other written material and media. In modern times, other forms of media, such as phonograph records, video tapes, and CDs have also been ceremoniously burned, torched, or shredded...
, she dispatches her army and has the rebellion brutally crushed, but before they can capture Cerebus, he disappears.
Artemis, with Elrod as his sidekick, also stages his own impromptu revolution under his new persona "PunisherRoach", a parody of the Marvel comics character The Punisher, armed with pearl-handled semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
crossbow
Crossbow
A crossbow is a weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shoots projectiles, often called bolts or quarrels. The medieval crossbow was called by many names, most of which derived from the word ballista, a torsion engine resembling a crossbow in appearance.Historically, crossbows played a...
s. Punisherroach plows through the Cirinists before Elrod leads him to a brothel, where he falls for a prostitute named Blossom, which calms him down somewhat.
Mrs. Thatcher and Mrs. Kopp (a parody of former Canadian Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Sheila Copps
Sheila Copps
Sheila Maureen Copps, PC is a former Canadian politician who also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and June 19, 1996 to June 11, 1997....
) each try to take control of Cirinist power. Cirin works to manage her sect and arrange her own Ascension, while obsessing over Astoria and her connection with Cerebus.
Cerebus ascends into the Seventh Sphere and finally up to the Eight sphere where he speaks with Suenteus Powho, he discovers, is the mysterious third aardvark. Po warns Cerebus not believe what George (th Judge from Church & State
Church and State (comics)
Church & State is the third novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. In it, Cerebus once again becomes Prime Minister, and eventually Pope.The 1200-page novel was divided into seven books has been collected in two volumes...
) has told him, s he is not reliable.
Book Two: Women
(Cerebus #163174)Cerebus crashes back to earth. He is assisted by a mysterious old woman who is being openly spied upon by the Cirinists; she sends him to a bar to hide. This story arc includes a parody of Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's Sandman in which the Roach plays "Swoon" (a parody of Dream) and Elrod plays "Snuff" (a transvestite parody of Death
Death (DC Comics)
Death is a fictional character from the DC comic book series, The Sandman . The character first appeared in The Sandman vol. 2, #8 , and was created by Neil Gaiman and Mike Dringenberg....
). Astoria and Cirin symbolically duel in a dream realm. The book includes excerpts from books written by Astoria and Cirin that describe their differing beliefs. Cerebus flies across the city to slay Astoria, but is interrupted by the arrival of Suenteus Po.
Book Three: Reads
(Cerebus #175186)This book primarily consists of two long text pieces. These two stories are accompanied by a long discussion between Cirin, Astoria, Cerebus, and Suenteus Po. Po gives information about aardvarks, including that all aardvarks have Cerebus' "magnifier" quality, and attempts to convince each of the others to abandon their pursuits of power and return to what they enjoy doing most, then leaves them to their fates. Astoria is convinced and also leaves, but not before giving Cerebus information about her history with Cirin and also informing him of his hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
nature. Cerebus and Cirin then engage in a long and brutal swordfight
Swordsmanship
Swordsmanship refers to the skills of a swordsman, a person versed in the art of the sword. The term is modern, and as such was mainly used to refer to smallsword fencing, but by extension it can also be applied to any martial art involving the use of a sword...
, which leads to the beginning of another Ascension.
The first revolves around an author of Reads, which are heavily illustrated books that are popular in Cerebus' world. In this story, there is a strong thread about the dangers of commercial success and "selling out
Selling out
"Selling out" is the compromising of integrity, morality, or principles in exchange for money or "success" . It is commonly associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream audience...
". The series moves from this storyline to a long essay attributed to Viktor Davis, a fictional Reads author. This essay puts forth a theory on the nature of the genders, describing the "Female Void" focused on feeling, and the "Male Light" focused on reason. It is in the conclusion to this book that Sim produced issue #186, which earned him the reputation of being a misogynist
Misogyny
Misogyny is the hatred or dislike of women or girls. Philogyny, meaning fondness, love or admiration towards women, is the antonym of misogyny. The term misandry is the term for men that is parallel to misogyny...
.
Book Four: Minds
(Cerebus #187200)Cerebus and Cirin ascend, then are separated by a mysterious force. As Cerebus flies through the solar system, he is shown images from his past and is forced to reconsider his actions and his faith. He then encounters a disembodied voice calling itself "Dave
Dave Sim
David Victor Sim is an award-winning Canadian comic book writer and artist.A pioneer of self-published comics and creators' rights, Sim is best known as the creator of Cerebus the Aardvark, a comic book published from 1977 to 2004, which chronicles its main character in a 6,000-page self-contained...
" that acknowledges itself as Cerebus's creator. "Dave" shows Cerebus the history of the Cirinist movement, revealing that Cirin is actually named Serna and was the best friend of the real Cirin (the old woman Cerebus encountered in Women), but usurped Cirin's leadership and effectively exchanged identities with her. "Dave" then gives Cerebus information about his past, showing that Cerebus unwittingly ruined his original destiny, causing chaotic repercussions which have influenced most of his adventures. Cerebus demands that "Dave" make Jaka love him; in response, "Dave" shows Cerebus visions of possible futures between himself and Jaka, all of which are disastrously flawed for both of them due to Cerebus' nature. After a period of penance and self-reflection on Pluto
Pluto
Pluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-most-massive known dwarf planet in the Solar System and the tenth-most-massive body observed directly orbiting the Sun...
, Cerebus asks "Dave" to place him in a bar he remembers from his mercenary days.
Issue 186
Sim had long been critical of modern feminismFeminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
, but Cerebus issue #186 brought him claims of being a misogynist
Misogyny
Misogyny is the hatred or dislike of women or girls. Philogyny, meaning fondness, love or admiration towards women, is the antonym of misogyny. The term misandry is the term for men that is parallel to misogyny...
. In the text piece that appeared in this issue, Sim (through the thinly-veiled guise of Viktor Davis) speaks in the first person about issues of gender and male-female relationships, in which he claims the "Female Void devours the Male Light."
The issue was one part of the Reads portion of Mothers & Daughters and appears in the Reads collection.
Characters
Cerebus:After spending two novels in a secondary rôle, and spending an entire novel in a near-catatonicCatatonia
Catatonia is a state of neurogenic motor immobility, and behavioral abnormality manifested by stupor. It was first described in 1874: Die Katatonie oder das Spannungsirresein ....
state, Cerebus leaps into action and takes centre stage once again. He finally meets the mysterious third aardvark, who turns out to be Suentius Po. It is also revealed that Cerebus is a hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
.
Cirin:Leader of the matriarchal
Matriarchy
A matriarchy is a society in which females, especially mothers, have the central roles of political leadership and moral authority. It is also sometimes called a gynocratic or gynocentric society....
Cirinists who have conquered the city of Iestalso, along with Cerebus, one of only three aardvarks known to exist in Estarcion. She is working to bring about another Ascension, and having a giant gold sphere made in preparation. Cerebus and Cirin have a dramatic swordfight
Swordsmanship
Swordsmanship refers to the skills of a swordsman, a person versed in the art of the sword. The term is modern, and as such was mainly used to refer to smallsword fencing, but by extension it can also be applied to any martial art involving the use of a sword...
during the course of Reads. It is later revealed that she is not the real Cirin howeverher real name is Serna, and she has usurped power from the real Cirin, who is now an old, human woman.
Suenteus Po:After appearing only as a voice in Cerebus' head for most of the series, it is finally revealed that he is the third Aardvark.
Astoria:Cirin's greatest matriarchal rival
The Roach:Once again taking on parodic
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
rôles, first as the "Punisheroach" (after the Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character, The Punisher), and then as "Swoon" (after Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's take on the Vertigo character, Dream, from The Sandman).
Elrod:The Roach's sidekick
Sidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
again, Elrod takes on the persona of "Snuff" (a transvestite parody of the Sandman character, Death
Death (DC Comics)
Death is a fictional character from the DC comic book series, The Sandman . The character first appeared in The Sandman vol. 2, #8 , and was created by Neil Gaiman and Mike Dringenberg....
).
Publication
| Mothers & Daughters "phonebook" collections | |||||
| Volume Title | Published | Issues | Dates | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | March 1993 | 151–162 | 1991–1992 | ||
| Women | April 1994 | 163–174 | 1992–1993 | ||
| Reads | April 1995 | 175–186 | 1993–1994 | ||
| Minds | June 1996 | 187–200 | 1994–1995 | ||
Originally serialized in Cerebus #151-200, Mothers & Daughters was conceived as one novel, but was collected into four paperback "phonebook" volumes. As in Jaka's Story
Jaka's Story (comics)
Jaka's Story is the fourth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series.There is danger in the air, as the fascist matriarchal Cirinists have conquered the city of Iest. Cerebus hides from them halfway between the Upper and Lower cities in the mountainside home of Jaka, the...
and Melmoth
Melmoth (comics)
Melmoth is the fifth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. It follows Oscar in his last days leading up until his death, while Cerebus sits catatonic, clutching the doll of Jaka, the woman he loves but believes has been killed.The novel was collected as the sixth...
previously, and as in all the Cerebus stories to follow, the issues displayed the current issue number of the Cerebus comic, as well as the current number of the Mothers & Daughters storyline, so that issue #155 of Cerebus was also indicated to be installment #5 of Mothers & Daughters. The four books of Mothers & Daughters, however, were not indicated by name or installment number on the cover.
The Cerebus "phonebook" volumes had text-free spines until the publication of Flight. Afterwards, all volumes (and reprintings of the earlier volumes) had text on their spines, including the title and volume number.
Reception
While many fans were initially glad that Cerebus had finally moved away from the slow pacing of Jaka's StoryJaka's Story (comics)
Jaka's Story is the fourth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series.There is danger in the air, as the fascist matriarchal Cirinists have conquered the city of Iest. Cerebus hides from them halfway between the Upper and Lower cities in the mountainside home of Jaka, the...
and Melmoth
Melmoth (comics)
Melmoth is the fifth novel in Canadian cartoonist Dave Sim's Cerebus comic book series. It follows Oscar in his last days leading up until his death, while Cerebus sits catatonic, clutching the doll of Jaka, the woman he loves but believes has been killed.The novel was collected as the sixth...
, which had driven many readers away, the storyline drew considerable fire for what was perceived as the misogyny
Misogyny
Misogyny is the hatred or dislike of women or girls. Philogyny, meaning fondness, love or admiration towards women, is the antonym of misogyny. The term misandry is the term for men that is parallel to misogyny...
of the contents of issue #186, with The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal, often abbreviated TCJ, is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels...
running a mock Nuremberg
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals, held by the victorious Allied forces of World War II, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of the defeated Nazi Germany....
-style trial of Sim.
See also
- Alternative comicsAlternative comicsAlternative comics defines a range of American comics that have appeared since the 1980s, following the underground comix movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Alternative comics present an alternative to "mainstream" superhero comics which in the past have dominated the US comic book industry...
- Graphic novelGraphic novelA graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
Sources
- Cerebus Fangirl
- Cerebus Wiki, set up by Cerebus Fangirl
Further reading
- Flight Women Reads Minds pages at Cerebus Wiki