Berkeley Breathed

It's Bloom County: you either get the humour or you don't. I've been a huge fan of Breathed's work since the 80's and when he quit if felt like a friend died. His come-back has been a driving force behind my putting up with Facebook's daily crap and most days the only reason I open FB at all.

Episode XI: A New Hope is a collection of the new FB only strips and they are wonderful. I rarely never laugh out loud the way I do when one of Breathed's strips hits me just right. I howled at a few of show more these and conversely, there were a couple of strips that teared me up.

Breathed is a genius at holding up a mirror for all of us and allows me to laugh at the stuff that normally makes me want to hide under my bed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for bring Opus and the gang back. show less

A fitting end to one of the greatest strips: It is a testament to the talents of Berke Breathed that well over ten years after he suspended "Bloom County," it is still sorely missed by its legions of fans, myself included. Once described as "Doonesbury with animals," "Bloom County" took on a life of its own, and what a life it was. "Happy Trails" consists of strips from the County's last year, and all the familiar characters are here--Opus, Bill, Steve Dallas, Cutter John, Milo, and show more Hodgepodge--as well as a couple of new characters who would star in Breathed's follow-up strip "Outland." Breathed's observations are dead on, and the strips will often have you thinking--once you get enough oxygen back to your brain after laughing so hard. With the possible exception of "Dilbert," no comic today has the fan loyalty that "Bloom County" did--and now that Charles Schultz is no longer with us, I doubt any will again. show less

Having never seen the recently released film, I didn't know what to expect from this book. After reading it, I have found an even-deeper respect for my own mother who has always been there, and I find myself thinking that I, just like Milo, would also follow the martians to the end of the universe for my mom. This story is wonderful for kids and adults of all ages, as it reawakens those feelings that somehow manage to hide deep down inside of each of us. =) I love you Mom!

Bloom County by Berkeley Breathed was one of my all-time favourite comics, right up there with Doonesbury and Calvin and Hobbes so when it ended some 25 years ago, I felt like I had lost a close friend – well, actually several including Milo, Steve, Opus and my feline soulmate, Bill the Cat. So, when I found it was back and not just reprints but all new strips, I was ecstatic. Originally released on Breathed’s Facebook page, IDW is now making Bloom County Episode XI: A New Hope available show more in print. And, as the publisher’s blur states, “all the wit, charm and satire…are clearly on display”. And, best of all, just in time for the US election – oh, Opus you beautiful big-nosed penguin, if only I was an American because I would vote for you and your platform - two spaces ARE important. So Welcome Back from a happy Canadian and please don’t ever leave again! show less