Cerebus #4: Not much plot, plenty of funny

What little plot there is in #4, “Death’s Dark Tread”, centers around another enchanted jewel. (There sure do seem to be a lot of those in Cerebus’ universe.) Death is seeking the jewel to give himself even greater power. However, Death just can’t stroll off and retrieve the gem. It must be brought to him by someone else. Why this is, I’m not sure, but hey, let’s go with it. As Cerebus is too strong and intelligent for Death to control, Death must find another to do his bidding. Enter Elrod.

Think about Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melniboné, Elric the Albino. Now imagine him as a complete and total idiot. Now further imagine him talking like Foghorn Leghorn. Yes, the big cartoon chicken. And now you have Elrod the Albino. Elrod is the last king of Melvinbone and possessor of the mighty sword Seersucker — which shatters on its first contact with Cerebus’ blade. Elrod remains totally oblivious to what is actually going on around him — his first impression of Cerebus is that he’s a kid wearing a bunny suit — and is most especially oblivious to what Cerebus thinks of him, never realizing that Cerebus wants nothing more than to be rid of him. Even as Cerebus is abandoning him to apparent death in the dungeons, he thinks Cerebus is merely going off to summon help.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Cerebus decides that the jewel just isn’t worth it and tosses it down a well. But that’s not really what’s important about this issue.

While the character of Elrod is as dumb as can be, Elrod the parody is brilliant. Clearly the best that Dave’s done so far. His dialogue and mannerisms perfectly match Foghorn Leghorn’s. I even hear Foghorn’s voice when I’m reading his part. I don’t think I appreciated him as much when I first read Cerebus. I think I thought him more annoying than funny. But this time through, I’m most definitely enjoying him. And I’m glad to know that he’ll be back.