Cerebus the Aardvark

Cerebus the Aardvark, created by Dave Sim, is one of the longest running comic book series ever published. Difficult to describe, the comic chronicles the adventures of Cerebus, a three foot tall aardvark who lives in the fictional world of Estarcion. Beginning in 1977 and completed in 2004, the series develops many religious and political themes as it follows Cerebus through numerous occupations and careers. Initially he is a mercenary, and later he is a politician, a religious leader and eventually a messiah.

Initially conceived as a parody of the sword and sorcery genre, and no doubt inspired by Steve Gerber's Howard the Duck, Cerebus was one of the first independent comics, at a time when the comics landscape was almost completely dominated by DC and Marvel. Involved in much controversy over the years, Dave Sim nevertheless became one of the leaders in the fight for creators' rights in comics.

Probably the best known storyline of the series was High Society (issues #26-50), where Cerebus finds himself enmeshed in the fast-paced world of high finance and politics. These issues were subsequently published as a graphic novel available through mail order only, which angered comic shop retailers who felt Sim owed them a great deal for the initial success of Cerebus.

In many ways, the arc of Cerebus from 1977 to 2004 is also the history of the many different ways that comics changed over the years, both creatively and as a business.