On my way into the office yesterday, I read that Bloom County cartoonist Berkeley ("Berke") Breathed was retiring from the funny pages to focus on writing children’s books. It’s not the first time Breathed has "retired" from cartooning, but it sounds like his move out of the medium could be more or less final this time around. In his typical tongue-in-cheek style, the reclusive Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist said in a statement, "With the crisis in Wall Street and Washington, I’m suspending my comic strip to assist the nation….The best way I can help is to leave politics permanently and write funny stories for America’s kids."
I can’t say I’ve kept up with Opus, Bill the cat, Steve Dallas, Bobbi Harlow & Co. since 1988, when Breathed retired what for me was once the king of all comic strips, Bloom County, in favor of the — to my mind — less funny and pertinent Outland strip. (He retired that, too, in 1995, and eight years later, introduced to the world Opus, the strip he’s retiring come Sunday, Nov 2.) For that reason, this news made me wistful rather than sad — I never read his column in syndication, only in three beloved, dog-eared collections of the Bloom County cartoon in books: Loose Tails, Penguin Dreams and Stranger Things, and Billy and the Boingers Bootleg. In the few interviews he’s given over the years — this one in The Onion is snark-full and funny, if not exactly illuminating — Breathed credits Doonesbury artist Garry Trudeau for inspiring him, and apologizes for copying his work early in his career. (He also says that Opus was named after a Kansas song, something I never knew.) But to a pre-teen me, his work, which touched on social and political issues of the ‘80 without being preachy, AND featured talking animals — I love talking animals! — was much easier to understand and enjoy than Trudeau’s more complex political satire. To this day, whenever I buy an "embarrassing" item at a drug store, I flash back to a panel where the fratty lawyer Steve Dallas is buying several "embarrassing" products from a drug store and the cashier keeps yelling things to the manager like, "Price check on the back-hair remover!!!" as Steve looks like he wishes the floor would swallow him up.
How about you, PopWatchers — were you a fan of Bloom County, or any of Breathed’s other strips? If so, share your favorite Breathed comic moments in the comments section below.
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First the Riches and now Opus?? What else are we going to lose this week?? I LOVED Bloom County, and while Outland and Opus weren’t on the same level as the original strip, they were still better than most of the other comics currently out there.
Bloom County was certainly the best of it’s time, for me only Calvin and Hobbes has come close to it. Some of my fave scenarios definitely have to be those with Cutter John and Opus flying down a hill in John’s wheelchair, as crew of the Starship Enterpoop. Classic. Breathed’s other strips never did much for me.
Bloom County was the best, THE BEST, strip ever. But gone are the days of Calvin and Hobbs, the Far Side, and Bloom County. Never TOO far to the left, I think now that the medium has moved on, the current kings of skewering life, the Daily Show, owe Milo and the gang a bit of thanks and respect.
I was a huge fan of Bloom County, although I also read it in book form. I used to read Outland in the comics, but have never really stayed up with Opus. I do think Berke Brethed is one of the most talented comic artists out there, with a range from completely bizarre to very pertinent. The closest I’ve seen in recent years is Stephen Pastis “Pearls Before Swine.” Breather retiring is truly the end of an era.
I worshipped BLOOM COUNTY! It practically got me through the 1980s! Even today, I can’t help but crack up with laughter when I look through the books I’ve still got!
I kept a stuffed Opus, complete with floral shower cap and orange towel, in my bathroom for many, many years. I have, and always will, adore Opus. “Bloom County” was HUGE during my college years and my dorm room was plastered with comics I clipped. I loved how Bill the Cat was the anti-cute-kitty and how Opus rhapsodized over Diane Sawyer. It was all just so subversive and wonderfully weird to me after a steady childhood diet of “Peanuts.” I’m sad that “Opus” will be leaving my Sunday paper, but intrigued to see what type of children’s books Breathed will write. It’s a safe bet they’ll be terrific, unusual and hilarious.
I knew this was coming since I still follow “Opus” but to see it definitively in print is a sad thing indeed. All of his strips have been some of my favorites. My brother and I have been emailing them back and forth in mourning. I keep hoping for even a special strip now and again from some of my favorite retired strips (like Calvin and Hobbes), but none of them have come through. I hope Breathed will do a special strip every once in a while though. Berkeley Breathed retiring as well is another piece of my childhood and adolescence falling by the wayside. Sunday mornings will never be the same.
I haven’t read the newspaper for a long time, but when I did, Opus was always one of my favorites. I also have a collection of the Bloom County strips, which were wonderful.
It is indeed a sad day for Bloom County Fans. Without a doubt my favorite comic strip ever. My only solice is that I have every Bloom County book and I can revisit them anytime I want.
Fun trival fact, Berkley Breathed’s drawings was used in the movie “Second Hand Lions”. At the end of the movie, the little boy has grown up into a Cartoonist (and Josh Lucas) and all of the drawings were done by BB.
I was wondering about why the comic seemed like it was ending. I will miss Opus. I did not read them all — but will look for the collection. I was a fan of Bloom County and have all the books. I still think about writing in Bill the Cat for president, especially now.
For those who want to hear Breathed’s side and a peek at his new book, this is from the interview he did on Monday. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95441421
I’ve got the same 3 Bloom County compilations Adrienne mentions, well worn. Blooms County certainly was part of the 80’s holy trinity (w/ Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes). Opus resurrected a few years ago seems to have retained the Bloom County charm (granted, without the full cast of characters).
I had read where Breathed was permanently retiring due to a medical condition (non-life threatening, but very painful). Since he plans to focus on children’s books, maybe that condition, or at least the consequences, have been overstated.
And if you want to catch up with Opus and follow the end of the strip, Salon has them archived.
Loved “Bloom County” growing up. Remember Billy and the Boingers with Bill the Cat playing his tongue? My husband and I still sometimes say “thbbt” phonetically instead of as an actual raspberry…’cause we’re dorks that way. Looking forward to seeing Breathed’s kids books.
I had those books plus the “Bloom County Babylon” compendium. One of the books came with a floppy kind of 33 1/3 single tear-out record that had “We’re the Boingers” on one side and “U Stink but I Luv U” on the other featuring Opus on ‘lectric tuba. I loved seeing Milo and Binkley put on their own US Festival in Bloom County – “because all the money goes to us!” They even got Culture Club to show up. Portnoy nearly had a fit trying to figure out what Boy George was. Classic!
Bloom County was always my first read comic through high school and college. I have read Bloom County book collection so many times that the bindings have worn out. It’s hard to watch a favorite leave the scene. I still look forward to every reprinted strip in the paper or on-line.
I look forward to his books. I have “Mars Needs Moms” and treasure it. I think every mom and child should have a copy of this story of devotion.
I like to think of Berke’s retirement from the strip as an end to a chapter, rather than end of an era. I’m sure his books will be a continuation of the entertainment we all enjoy.
I, too, had all of the books, plus the Babylon, and the record. I’ll miss Bloom County so much. My absolute favorite line was when Opus and Binkley were discussing Steve Dallas’ latest girlfriend: “Her name is Kimberlee, with two e’s…” “Well, I’m appalled, with two p’s.” Classic.
Do yourself a favor and get “Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big” at the library (kids section). My three-year-old and I both loved it. It’s funny and clever. I read it over and over to her and never got sick of it which I can’t say about many kids books. I’m thrilled he’s going to be writing more for kids.
I will miss Berke, but now we have Pears before Swine, Deflocked, Least I could do.
Awwwck! Buuurp! Booo!
My dad has been a big fan of Bloom County, and all things related, from the beginning, so we’ve always had Opus and Bill and everyone else scattered throughout our house in their many forms. I read my nieces The Last Basselope and A Wish For Wings That Work (and I’m sure, when their old enough, Babylon and the other comic strip books). We just got A Wish For Wings That Work on DVD last year, and we’re turning a yearly screening of it into a family tradition. And for too many years to count now we’ve had two stuffed Opi (as my dad calls them) bound together with floral wire and used as a makeshift Christmas tree topper.
Aww….I’m gonna miss him!
I’m going to miss Opus to. It’s been one of my favorite Sunday strips over the past 5 years. That God I still have my PublicWorksComics: http://www.PublicWorksComics.com or I’d be even more depressed.
There aren’t enough words for me to express how much I LOVED “Bloom County”. SO BRILLIANT. I remember standing in line to meet Berke and get one of his books signed at the University of Washington Bookstore. He was so nice and I told him how much I loved Opus. And Bill the Cat (Ack!).
Genius.
“Bloom County” was one of the only things my six siblings and I could agree we all liked, so of course we fought over the books (I think my younger brother made off with them ultimately). And “A Wish for Wings that Work” has been required holiday viewing since it premiered in 1991 (still am wearing out the video copy). Apparently Berkeley wasn’t a fan but my nieces and nephews even love it. His characters will be missed.
Wasn’t there supposed to be an Opus movie at some point? I remember watching some TV cartoon (it may have been a Xmas special) many years ago featuring the Bloom County crew that was friggin’ hilarious. They should really think about a movie.
My favorite Bloom County moment was when the “Shuttle Chair” piloted by Cutter John and Opus crashed into the Atlantic Ocean…Opus returns from the “dead” months later. When I was a kid reading it, it kind of summed up the media fascination with morbid events (i.e. the shuttle Challenger exploding)…I remember the classic headline “Shuttle Chair Piles it Into the Atlantic” being on the cover of the Bloom Picayune.
Its so sad. Not only are the strips political funny and occasionally full of sweetness but the drawings were beautfiful. It was art all the way around. I will miss his work- once again.
Just the other day I turned to my husband and said “Middle of the road, man it stank” and he properly replied “Let’s run over Lionel Ritchie with a tank” Every time he retires, I realize more and more how truly great Bloom County was.
“Drop Kick Me Jesus Throught the Goal Posts of Life” is one of my favorite songs! I loved Bloom County and never really got into the other comic stips. I hae bought some his books since I have had children and I have to say “Mars Needs Moms” is one of the most funny and touching books we have, I can hardly get through it without choking up. I hope he writes many more!
Bloom County is, was and will always be the greatest comic strip. I started reading it in my early teens and it informed so much of my attitudes not just towards what is funny, but in areas of politics and sociology as well. My feelings towards his most recent retirement can be perfectly summed up by Billy and The Boingers greatest (only?) hit – Mr. Breathed “U suck, but I love you.”