Collects issues 201-219.
Guys is mainly center's on Cerebus living in a bar after his second acension. Lots of guest stars from previous Cerebus books appear: Mick & Keef, Bear, and others. This book will make you think about platonic friendships between males and their relationships with women. Shows some insight into the Cirinist regime that has been set up and how Cerebus deals with it. Mrs Thatcher also returns.
- Before Cerebus #201
- 4 years have past between issues 194 and 200.
- Cerebus #201
- Mrs. Thatcher visits the tavern by the Wall of Tsi where Cerebus has taken up residence and recounts that when Cirin returned 4 years ago, she foretold he would eventually return to Estarcion too.
- Iest has been destroyed in the interim, and men are now allowed free alcohol and free travel.
- Cerebus' new best friend appears to be his scotch bucket.
- Cerebus #202
- While more drunk than usual, Cerebus goads Bear into a game of "Five Bar Gate". Cerebus meets with an unfortunate end.
Cerebus #203
- Many bizzare day-dreams bring back the faces of those long gone in Cerebus' life. Are these delusions trying to tell him something? Cerebus prays to "Dave" for a quick death as opposed to continuing his current life.
- Also, a "reads" signing takes place, drawing a crowd that includes a suspiciously "Roach-like" individual.
Cerebus #204
- Cerebus drinks-n-dreams his way into the company of the "Lord of Inebriation", only to be saved by "Roarin' Rick Veitch". Veitch gives a tiny lesson on the nature of dreams, especially sick, twisted, and depraved ones.
- Cerebus #205
- Upon awakening, Cerebus finds that may have lost his other ear. Starkey brings Cerebus up-to-date on the reason Bear punched him on sight - Cerebus had been screaming scandalous and untrue rumors about Bear the previous evening. In the wake of these transgressions, Cerebus vows to quit drinking, remembering the revelations and promises made on Pluto.
Cerebus #206
- Bear has a visit from an old friend named Greggo which runs the full spectrum of attitude and emotion. Cerebus' eye bandage becomes an issue for debate and ultimately gives way to clear vision.
- Plus, the introduction of rice cakes!
- Cerebus #207
- While an unusually sober Cerebus endures the drunken pair of Bear and Marty, a reads author named Kingsley aspires to the intellectual challenge of his life... matching wits with the Cirinist government. His climb up the ladder begins with his designated stenographer, a victory which advances him to the next rung - Mrs. Thatcher!
Cerebus #208
- Kingsley shuffles off into the sunset.
- Mick pays a visit to the bar, Five Bar Gate returns, and Cerebus and Bear are introduced to "graphic reads" (comic books).
- Cerebus #209
- Graphic reads and Cerebus seem to go well together, and when the other bar patrons begin to mock Cerebus' new found interest, Bear "tells it like it is", clearing the air quite a bit. Bear unknowingly strikes a chord with the line "it's like you're part chick or something".
- Cerebus #210
- Tension is released when Cerebus and Bear finish the game of Five Bar Gate. Marty discovers (and rediscovers) wine, and Mrs. Thatcher delivers a warning about young girls after "the R.H. Wasserman incident". After patching things up, Cerebus and Bear go fishing.
Cerebus #211
- Marty meets a mongoose. Cerebus deals with "Mr. Coffee.", an alochol salesman (odd since it's now free); Marty introduces Keef to the mongoose; and "high stakes" Diamondback.
- Cerebus #212
- Marty tells Bear what his problem with women is, until his own wife shows up and demonstrates that he's no one to be talking.
- Mrs. Thatcher is made aware of Gently Bent's behavior, and a request is made to have him removed. Bear takes the floor and illuminates the crowd with observations on Cerebus' tastes in women, including reflections on Red Sophia and Jaka.
- Cerebus #213
- Ziggy returns to "collect" Bear. Upon her arrival, Mick, Harrison Starkey, and even Gently Bent decide to abandon the tavern and travel south to escape Ziggy.
- Cerebus faces the prospect of being left alone in the tavern with Bear, until he realizes that Ziggy will be taking Bear away, too.
- Cerebus #214
- Bear leaves Cerebus behind to travel with Ziggy. Cerebus starts to converse with himself, arguing the points that he in fact misses Bear and is angry at everyone for leaving him alone.
- Mrs. Thatcher informs Cerebus that she has been transferred to the next district and that the bar is being shut down since there is no bartender. In a moment of clarity or stupidity, Cerebus declares himself bartender, and Mrs. Thatcher is instructed to allow him to do so.
Cerebus #215
- A Memorable conversation with Mrs. Thatcher takes place.
- Alec leaves for other taverns as a protest to the service the "new management" provides.
- Also, Cerebus runs scenarios as to how Bear will leave Ziggy in order to return to the tavern. All this and an "indecent proposal".
- Cerebus #216
- Joanne, whom Cerebus had only met in a vision shown to him by Dave on Juno, shows up in the tavern. Cerebus spills the "truth" of their roles as characters in Dave's story and of what happened last time they "met". Cerebus does some thinking and lays down some ground rules for his life.
- Joanne returns later that day with a "more decent proposal".
- Cerebus #217
- Cerebus and Joanne's relationship draws them closer, physically if not emotionally. It's clear that neither is acting a themself, just as Bear had described relationships (Cerebus 207). Cerebus sets an ultimatum for Bear's return, with plans to return to his birthplace of Sand Hills Creek if Bear doesn't return in the number of days alloted to him.
- Cerebus #218
- Cerebus and Joanne go to another tavern to find it owned by Marty and his wife Beulah. A fine example of miscommunication and misinterpretation ensues as Cerebus and Joanne leave. Joanne asks the loaded question "what do you want", the answer to which drives them apart a bit. Cerebus returns to his tavern and slips into a twisted mosaic of faces and places from his past.
- Cerebus #219
- As the odd dream draws to a close, Cerebus becomes scared of the prospect of staying with Joanne. He accidently mentions his plans to leave, which promptly ends the relationship on all levels. Returning to his life, Cerebus is greeted by a new customer... someone he knows but can't quite place.
![[Back]](back.gif)
![[Next]](next.gif)