Cerebus #201

The "Guys" arc kicks off in December 1995 with this wonderfully offbeat cover by Dave Sim and Gerhard, which splits its real estate between a prominently displayed bottle of "Superior Single Malt Whiskey" and a strip of comic panels featuring Cerebus in full brawling form — laughing, trash-talking, and delivering a resounding "THUMP!" to some poor soul. The juxtaposition of the whiskey bottle and Cerebus's barroom antics sets a tone that's equal parts comedy and chaos, hinting at the boozy, guys-being-guys atmosphere this new chapter of the long-running series promises. Sim and Gerhard's crisp black-and-white artwork is as sharp as ever, making this the kind of cover that rewards a second look.