Melmoth: Epilogue

I think the epilogue is my favourite part of Melmoth. Call me a philistine, but I still like a bit of action in my comics or graphic novles and the epilogue of Melmoth has that.

Cerebus is sitting in his usual semi catatonic state outside the cafe while 2 Cirinist guards talk nearby. The aardvark's pointy ears prick up when one of the guards mentions to her companion that she was assigned to Jaka while the Palnan was imprisoned. Interest turns to rage when the guard casually and proudly admits to having abused Jaka when in custody.

There's no other way to put this: Cerebus goes apeshit. He attacks the women. Swinging his sword wildly, fists clenched, teeth gritted, eyes bulging, blood flying, still clutching Missy, he kills the guards.

As he cuts them down he recalls a conversation with Bear one night. It was the first time he had ever heard of the Cirinists. Interestingly enough the younger Cerebus' snout is elongated again. I thought the shortening of his snout was Dave the artist refining his technique, it may have been that, but it also seems that he took a conscious decision to portray Cerebus' younger self with the longer nose. Bear tells Cerebus about the Cirinists. They seem to be mind linked, kill or hurt one and they all come running, like a nest of hornets. Bear actually says if he ever injured or killed a Cirinist he'd cut his throat before they could get him, basing this on what happened to someone he knew who had done just that and been caught. George's face and his words: die alone, unmourned and unloved, comes to Cerebus.

Cerebus flees, still hanging onto the one thing that reminds him of Jaka; Missy, he runs. The Ciinists give chase, but before they can get to him Cerebus jumps the wall and keeps on going. The final 4 panels are chopped into long thin sections, narrowing in on Cerebus' effort filled face, the final one being one narrowed eye. It very effectively gives the impression of being with Cerebus as he runs, again Dave displays that cinematic style of his.

A nice cliffhanger ending that leads into the next book.