Cerebus No. 163

***Cerebus No. 163*** is an issue of *Cerebus* published by Aardvark-Vanaheim.

## Stories

### "Mothers & Daughters 13"

In an excerpt from her book *Kevillist Origins*, Astoria explains how she uses men's sex drives to get what she wants (power). In an excerpt from *The New Matriarchy*, Cirin discusses how childbirth is the Goddess' greatest gift.

Punisheroach is in Love, Astoria is getting ready for her meeting with Cirin and Cerebus appears and then falls thru the roof of the real Cirin's home.

Red Sophia and her mother, Mrs. Henrot-Gutch, join a women's circle and discuss Cerebus. Punisheroach gets his heart broken when he realizes his Queen has a boyfriend. He turns up missing. Cirin's files on Astoria are missing.

### "Clayton Stiles"

by Chris Aubry
Clayton's girlfriend breaks up with him because her parents think he's gay. She's not so sure herself.

### "Start"

by Derek Drymon
An artist's associate just doesn't "get it".

## Additional

* "Note from the President"
* "Aardvark Comment"
* Cover to *Images of Omaha No. 2*, "Lovestruck in the Rain", by Dave Sim and Gerhard

## Characters

* Astoria *(last seen in issue 162; next appearance in issue 164)*
* Blossom *(last seen in issue 162; final appearance)*
* Cerebus *(last seen in issue 162; next appearance in issue 164)*
* Cirin *(last seen in issue 162; next appearance in issue 164)*
* Roach *(last seen in issue 162; next appearance in issue 164)*
* Dr. Ironcat *(only appearance)*
* Elrod *(last seen in issue 162; next appearance in issue 164)*
* Mrs. Henrot-Gutch *(last seen in issue 141; next appearance in issue 169)*
* Rap 'ho'e *(only appearance)*
* Red Sophia *(last seen in issue 112/113; next appearance in issue 193)*
* Original Cirin *(first appearance; next appearance in issue 164)*
* Vera *(first appearance; next appearance in issue 164)*

## Story Notes

* 2-3: Note how the Ahnk on the Astoria pages has only a few vines, while the one on Cirin's pages is overgrown. This reflects their relative ages. It may also be an artistic commentary on how Cirin has become "choked" by her views. The two ankhs will remain the same throughout "Women". (Alexx)
* It is unclear which of these two books was written first, but the passages excerpted from \_T\_N\_M\_ certainly seem to be in response to Astoria's political ambitions. (Alexx)
* 2: "a high-placed government official" Very likely one of the military tribunal that rules Lower Felda. (Alexx)
* 4: The Roach is hiding a bouquet of roses behind his back, with which to surprise Blossom. (Alexx)
* 5: The Cirinist in the background is presumably taking notes on everything Astoria says and does, for Cirin's files. She may also function as a guard. (Alexx)
* 8: The Cirinist stenographer is a different one. (Alexx)
* 12-15: The use of the Ahnk is puzzling. Two obvious interpretations spring to mind, but it's unclear which one is correct. It may be that the psychic powers of the Cirinists allow it to function as a "microphone", sending signals out to some unknown audience; or it may simply be an administrative tool, indicating who currently has the right to speak. (Alexx)
* The general format is one of a talk show. Dr. Ironcat is a parody of cat yronwode, Editor-in-Chief of Eclipse Comics. The hostess is recognizably based on talk-show personality Oprah Winfrey, though she is caucasian, and Oprah is black. (Alexx)
* 17: Astoria has clearly "gotten to" her files, and replaced them with a dry sense of humor. (Alexx)

## Publication Notes

* "Mothers & Daughters 13" is reprinted in the *Women*.