Cerebus Church & State

Collecting issues #52-80 of Dave Sim’s landmark independent series, Cerebus’s “Church & State” storyline (1991–1992, Aardvark-Vanaheim) follows the titular aardvark’s rise from mercenary to prime minister and his fraught alliance with the mysterious Cirinists. Across these 30 issues, Sim’s satirical fantasy deepens into a sprawling epic of political intrigue, religious power, and personal hubris, showcasing his evolving art and dense, dialogue-heavy storytelling. This pivotal arc cemented Cerebus as one of the most ambitious and controversial works in underground comics, a singular vision that redefined what a self-published series could achieve.