Cerebus #53

This 1983 Aardvark-Vanaheim issue subtitled "The Countess and the Aardvark" features a beautifully composed cover by Dave Sim — rendered in cool blue tones — showing an elegant, tall woman in a long dark gown standing between two reclining figures: the squat, distinctive aardvark Cerebus sprawled on a chaise at left, and another recumbent character at right, all set within what appears to be a richly appointed interior room with a moonlit window behind them. The composition has a quietly theatrical, almost drawing-room-comedy quality that hints at the social intrigue Sim was weaving through the "High Society" era of the series. A wonderful 1983 chapter from one of alt-comics' most ambitious long-form projects, with every line on the cover crafted by Sim himself.