Bloom County: The Complete Library Volume 3 (Bloom County Library)In a recent interview with Slate, Gary Trudeau was asked why he kept going when Watterson, Breathed and Larson stopped. Trudeau mentioned why he though Watterson and Larson stopped and how much he admired their work. That pretty much sums up the relationship between the two premier social satirists of the 1980s. In Bloom County Complete Library Volume 3, Breathed is at the top of his game. Some of my favorite strips are in here and some of his most biting satire as well (including a swipe at Trudeau and his wife). What does this collection include?

Bill the Cat plays a huge part in this collection. From heading the Presidential ticket for the Meadow Party, to joining a cult (Bhagwan Bill), flirting with Secretary of State Jeanne Kirkpatrick and finally executed for treason when he sold state secrets to Russia. And the three part Life and Times of Bill the Cat is included as well.

Perennial favorite Opus gets caught in the ropes of Cutter John’s mission to turn the South African Ambassador’s skin black and disappears, before re-appearing with amnesia (RIP Cutter John). Opus also goes on a date with a lesbian (the first lesbian in the funny pages according to Breathed), has plastic surgery on his nose (twice) and gets put into a mechanical honker after being shot in the nose.

Oliver and his pet computer Banana Jr. 6000 make sacrifices to the TV (with household appliances) and deal with obsolescence). Included in here are the never before collected strips around the demise of the Banana Jr company (with the CEO jumping out the 67th floor window with Capitalism Sucks written on his chest).

Throw in Milo, Binkley (and his anxiety closet) and the Meadow animals and you’ll see why Bloom County was so popular in the 80s. We also see the start of Breathed trying to do more with the strip artistically (mainly with the Sunday strips). Volume 4 will be coming out soon and we’ll start to see Billy and the Boingers (aka Deathtounge) and yet another political campaign. But in the meantime, get Volume 3 and prepare to laugh. Highly recommended.