Cerebus Jam #1
Published and © by Aardvark-Vanaheim, April 1985
Title: “The Defense of Fort Columbia”
Synopsis: A young Cerebus marches to the defense of Fort Columbia with bickering brothers Bo and Scott.
Writers: Dave Sim, Bo Hampton and Scott Hampton
Artists: Sim, Hampton, Hampton and Gerhard
Review: Cerebus Jam isn’t your traditional Bronze Age team-up book as it’s more interested in creative collaborations than character crossovers. But Dave Sim’s famous aardvark still gets to meet a Popeye analogue, the actual Spirit and, in this lead-off tale, cartoon versions of comic-artist brothers Bo and Scott Hampton. Great fun!
•••
Title: “The First Invention of Armour 1404”
Synopsis: Freelance soldiers Cerebus and Bear encounter Hagbad Spleen, inventor of the first suit of plate armor.
Writer: Dave Sim
Artists: Sim, Murphy Anderson and Gerhard
Review: Dave Sim teams with one of his idols on a fun tale reminiscent of the Cerebus shorts in Epic Illustrated.
•••
Title: “Squinteye the Sailor”
Synopsis: Young Cerebus, seeking a legendary sailor, witnesses a showdown between said sailor and a bullying Bluto.
Writer: Dave Sim
Artists: Sim, Terry Austin and Gerhard
Review: Legendary inker and well-known Popeye fan Terry Austin is the perfect collaborator for this simple-but-fun short story.
•••
Title: Untitled
Synopsis: Cerebus finds himself in trouble with the law – and a “freelance strong arm” known as The Spirit.
Writer: Dave Sim
Artists: Sim, Will Eisner and Gerhard
Review: The least effective of the four stories, but it’s still fun seeing legendary creators and their signature characters team up.
Grade: A
Second opinion: “Cerebus Jam will serve very well to introduce new readers to the character, as well as being a treat for long-time fans.” – R.A. Jones, Amazing Heroes #77, Aug. 15, 1985 … “Perhaps too much of a novelty to be really indispensable, but each strip is interesting.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: This fun debut was meant to be an “irregular” series …
Not-so-cool factor: … but, sadly, ended up being a one shot.
Character quotable: “When ya hits a ignoramusk, Cerebesk, ya always makes ’im land head-firsk … so’s ya are certink that ya ain’t caursed him no permanink injury …” – Squinteye the Sailor Parody
A word from the publisher: “I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud of a project that I’ve been involved in as I am with this first issue of the Jam.” – Dave Sim, from the “Note From the President” in this issue
Editor’s note: This review was written March 10, 2026.
