Cerebus #225

Marking its 20th anniversary in December 1997, Cerebus #225 continues the "Rick's Story" arc with a cover by Dave Sim and Gerhard that's quietly striking in its design. The aardvark Cerebus leans over what appears to be a bar or ledge alongside a human figure, all set within a softly rendered gothic interior — while a stained-glass window behind them depicts an earlier, livelier scene of the same characters. The layered composition, blending muted greys with selective spot color, is a lovely showcase of the long-running Sim-and-Gerhard collaboration at its understated best.