Issue 56
From CerebusWiki
| November 1983: Origin of the Wolveroach Part 3: The Mystic We | |
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| Issue 56 | |
| Writer & Artist | Dave Sim |
| Publisher | Deni Loubert |
| Circulation | 21,500 |
| Church & State I | |
| Previous | Next |
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Contents |
Issue Summary
Wolveroach is fighting the New Sepran soldiers, who have crossbows. Cerebus sees the arrows are just bouncing off the Roach and says to the Countess that he doesn't think it was lead that Weisshaupt used to line the Roach's costume. The Countess is visibly worried for the safety of the Roach, but Cerebus says that he'll be fine, as even he wouldn't mess with the bug. The countess says that doesn't reassure her, and Cerebus gets mad at her asking her what is that supposed to mean? The Countess tries to tell Cerebus he is short and asks him if he has looked in a mirror, but Cerebus is distracted as someone is talking to him in his head, giving him instructions to go to the basement for some whiskey.
In the basement Cerebus finds the Roach, and asks him what the bug is doing in Cerebus' head. The voice responds saying it is Professor Charles X Claremont, and a ghostly head appears out of the Roach's head. The Roach seems not to hear any of the conversation or notice Claremont. Cerebus says that Claremont is dead, and Claremont responds that while his physical form was destroyed when it was crushed between his apocalypse beasts, he was was transformed into a near-deity. He asks Cerebus' to take his leave of the Countess, as he has plans. Cerebus won't do it, and Claremont responds that she doesn't love you. Cerebus responds he knows, to which Claremont responds no you didn't, you were rehearsing your 'Cerebus feels confined in these damn cities. Cerebus has to be free' speech. Claremont states that the Countess is wondering why Cerebus is taking so long in the basement, so he hands Cerebus a bottle of Old Boreala whiskey.
Cerebus goes back up stairs and starts drinking straight from the bottle. He is telling the countess how he plans to stay with her after he has finished his book, and asks if she wants Cerebus to stay. She responds 'if it'll make you happy.' Cerebus gets mad, and asks her again if she wants Cerebus to stay? She says do what you want to do, and Cerebus asks you want Cerebus to leave? She responds she didn't say that. So he asks again if she wants Cerebus to stay, and she responds again 'only if you want to.' Cerebus looks resigned, and the Countess says 'your serve.' Cerebus asks her if she thinks it is some kind of joke. She responds no. Cerebus tries a different tactic, saying if Cerebus left she would miss him, and she says she misses everyone when they leave, don't you? And Cerebus raises and eyebrow and thinks of Elrod.
The Countess goes upstairs to get changed, and Cerebus asks her what Cerebus is going to do. She responds she imagines he'll have another drink. Cerebus goes back down to the basement, drinking the whiskey straight the bottle still, and talks to Claremont, who continues to try to get Cerebus to leave. Cerebus is drinking and Claremont says that was not a bad idea you just had, he never thought of it. Cerebus asks, idea? What idea? And Claremont responds an ultimatum, lay it on the line for her,tell her she can't pretend nothing is going on, and that things need to go Cerebus' way or Cerebus will leave. Cerebus starts go get into this idea, but then goes to ask another question. Before Cerebus can get his question out, Claremont tells him to have another drink, which puts Cerebus back on track with the idea.
Cerebus goes to the kitchen, and the Countess states that she is making lunch if Cerebus wants any. Cerebus starts to talk to her, laying out his ultimatum with its demands of him moving into the master bedroom with her, she can no longer have so many visitors, he'll have access to her bank account, but he won't tell her what to do in the kitchen, as that will be her territory. All the while the Countess continues to make lunch. He asks the Countess what she is making, she responds 'egg salad, want some?' Cerebus replies sure, and she dumps the entire bowl on his head and walks off.
Cerebus goes back to the basement to talk to Claremont, who is still using the Roach's body, he is just standing there. Claremont says he was lying to Cerebus, that the Countess wasn't afraid of losing Cerebus, and he should go back to his original idea. he asks what original idea, and Claremont responds to steal the thousand crowns that he told the Countess would allow her to defer her taxes. Claremont reassures Cerebus that he'll find someone else in no time.
Cerebus gets his book and sword, and finds the Countess who tells Cerebus that she doesn't feel sorry for him. She tosses a pouch with a thousand crowns at his feet. She then tosses the key at his feet so he won't have to cut it open. Cerebus picks up both and slams the door as he leaves.
Characters
- Cerebus (last seen in issue 55; next appearance in issue 57)
- Charles X. Claremont (last seen in issue 25; next appearance in issue 81)
- Countess Michelle (last seen in issue 55; next appearance in issue 83)
- Wolveroach (last seen in issue 55; next appearance in issue 81)
Locations
- New Sepra at the Countess' estate
Artist Notes
Notebook section of Cerebus Biweekly reprint of issue 56
Dave shows several sketches of Wolveroach leaping and with the cover sketch for issue #56 he states "And the final (dum da dum) really over-done Neal Adams Clone leaping super hero effect cover sketch."
Annotations
- The Cerebus Biweekly reprint of issue #56 had a disclaimer on the cover: "Wolverroach (sic) is a PARODY of Wolverine a character copyrighted and trademarked by the Marvel Entertainment Group."
- p. 11. Claremont states that Astoria already knows that Cerebus is staying with the Countess, suggesting that either she is in contact with the Countess or has people keeping tabs on Cerebus' whereabouts.
