'Opus' is retiring Nov. 2

OCTOBER 06, 2008

"Opus," the Sunday comic strip documenting the exploits of a big-nosed penguin by the same name, will appear for the last time on Nov. 2 because creator Berkeley Breathed has decided to stop drawing it, the Washington Post Writers Group said today.

The syndicate is expected to release further details this afternoon.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Breathed (also well known for "Bloom County") launched the Sunday-only strip in 2003.

Bloom County began in 1980, and Breathed won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1987. He quit drawing Bloom County in 1989, when the comic was running in nearly 1,300 newspapers, according to Editor & Publisher magazine. Shortly after that, he began drawing "Outland," a Sundays-only strip featuring many of the same characters, but he retired it in 1995.

The St. Petersburg Times hasn't decided how it will replace Opus in the Sunday comics section.

Posted by Times Editor at 11:17:04 am on October 06, 2008 | Permalink | Comments |

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

New NPR column: How using my DVR uncovered a new sort of program; the like-it-but-don't-love-it show February 14

Does it matter if journalists don't get the top jobs at cable newschannels? February 14

Worried about Bright House Networks' price increases in March? Call customer service February 13

With debut of Melissa Harris-Perry, MSNBC continues slow diversification of anchor ranks February 13

As world mourns Whitney Houston's death, question arises: Do we all share some blame? February 12

Is this image racist? February 11

New study finds "brownout" on Sunday talk shows: Hispanics underrepresented, black people and women too February 10

The Walking Dead returns Sunday with a new idea: Humans are dangerous, too February 10

Why did Wednesday's American Idol cut off the last minute for digital video recorders? February 09

CNN suspends Roland Martin after controversial tweets, raising more questions than answers February 08

About the bloggers

The best TV shows, the worst shows, TV news, media issues and debates ... it's all here at the Feed, a blog on TV, media and modern life by Tampa Bay Times TV/media critic Eric Deggans. Possibly the most critical guy at the Times, he has served as music, media and TV critic at various times over 10 years.

E-mail Eric Deggans:
deggans@tampabay.com

Get updates from The Feed via Twitter

Twitter Badges

Follow us on Facebook

The Feed on Facebook

Add to your Technorati Favorites

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.