A Real Dilbert in Bloom County

Most people are aware that Dilbert is one of the most widely-read comic strips in the world. It happens to be my favorite daily comic strip, and has been for many years. In fact the only comic strip that I enjoyed more in my life was Bloom County, which was drawn by the great Berkeley Breathed from 1980-1989.

This summer I happen to be reading through some of my old Bloom County collections. Imagine my surprise when I read a certain strip from 1988. Opus has been railroaded into running for Vice President on the Meadow Party ticket - the running mate of Bill the Cat. Opus is up on a stump attempting to deliver a campaign speech and is being heckled by Milquetoast the Cockroach.

Milquetoast delivers the following assessment of Opus: "What a Rube! What a Loon! What a Real Dilbert!" (Classics of Western Literature: Bloom County 1986-1989, Page 149)

Bear in mind that this strip was published in 1988, the year before Scott Adams began publishing the Dilbert comic strip. This makes one wonder if Scott Adams "borrowed" the name of his main character from this Bloom County strip. Or at least it makes one wonder if Scott Adams was a fan of Bloom County.

In any event Dilbert is well worth checking out: Official Dilbert Website

You can also check out Berkeley Breathed's website.