And just like that it’s over. Five volumes covering 10 years and Bloom County is no more. Breathed had a great story in the back of Bloom County Complete Library Volume 5 about how he told the syndicate that he was quitting. He sat down and told them he was quitting unless they gave him the copyright to the strip (remember the syndicate holds all the rights to all the strips). They didn’t believe him at first and (knowing they’d still be making a ton of money as long as it was Breathed doing the strips) finally agreed. He took the copyright and then quit a few months later. He admits that it was the plan all along, and he knows it was a dick move, but he felt no qualms about it. So, let’s see what happens as the strip draws to a close.

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Volume Four of the complete Bloom County comic is out (it’s actually been out for 2 months, but I’m running behind). Again we have a complete run of the strips (except for one repeat because the original was never published due to some editorial complaint). This is some of Breathed’s finest works with the rise of Billy and the Boingers (nee Deathtongue) and many many swipes at pop culture icons. So, let’s see what’s in this volume.

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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?

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