Cerebus #211

There's a quietly funny contentment to the cover of Cerebus #211, where the aardvark himself lies stretched out on a sandy, rock-strewn shore, a wooden beer mug nearby and a bearded fellow sprawled just at the edge of the frame — the very picture of a lazy afternoon with the guys. Dave Sim and Gerhard bring their signature blend of meticulous linework and dry wit to the scene, the detailed textures of sand, water, and scattered sticks giving it an almost meditative stillness. For readers following the "Guys" arc in 1996, this low-key, unhurried cover sets a mood that's equal parts melancholy and companionable.