This is just cruel. The link gets you to a page that does not have the final panel.

That's true. We need a protest. Don't buy Pete and Pickles

hee hee hee

"Check back here soon to see the contest winner and view the final Opus comic strip." Ohhh, the agony.

I am guessing (hoping) that the page will change sometime after midnight. Dunno which time zone though.

If this is some kind of a Sopranos fade-to-black stunt, look out. You have offended my honor, and Cousin Nuzio will be very annoyed, if you know what I mean. That panel better be up there by tomorrow.

The page says the winner of the contest for Opus's final resting place won't be up until about Nov. 3! This is almost as bad as waiting for the election results.

"Be sure to drink your Ovaltine."

Ovaltine? A crummy commercial? Son of a bitch!

Come on! Jeez Louise! Don't leave us hanging!!!!

Okay, Breathed. Thanks for the laughs. Plenty of people appreciate your work, although the comments section here on Salon is (generally) not a very good indicator of that. :-

Berkeley,

You sorry rotting pile of herring guts. Where is the last panel, you panguin-forsaken scribbler; you exploiter of panguins? My son, when he was but a little tyke, was the biggest fan of panguins because of your artwork, you worthless draftsman. Publish the final panel or the Greek, Roman, & Norse Gods will settle your hash. My friend, as a soon-to-be loser is want to say.

And don't get me started on the other deities. Don't be a jerk. W A Irgens

Thoughts?

I'm guessing Berk's objective was to make people LIKE the humane society, but those guys have really blown it as far as goodwill by failing to put up the final panel. What jerks!

Opus will live forever in the pages of Berk's books and in our memories... but you guys knew that, right?

Salon isn't to blame for the Humane Society's incompetence. They have a web site feedback form so complain to them instead. I have.

...what ever the ending is to be, he just diminished it.

Salon's IT has plenty of incompetence. Sometimes they have a link to see what their Salon Premium is all about. Click on that and you just get the place to sign up. No way to tell what signing up gets you.

Some of the comments here are made by morons. Total morons. Some poster used the Christmas story Ovaltine moment as similar to this? Its the humane society moron not some milk additive for sale. THE HUMANE society. If you can't see the difference you are a moron. Wow I'm shocked by a bunch of whiny little bitches who see diminishment here. Grow up. You don't desrve the final panel.

..let's all get a grip and not be in such a rush to have our hearts broken.

I can wait. And I can support the Humane Society.

--"I am not amused"--Bill The CAT

--"Me neither..."--Milo

--""Huh?"--Binkley

Ok, enough with the advertising of the Humane Society.

This is the cheapest shot ever-to link to another page to make us wait until whenever you choose to give us the ending.

Ok-that's it. I'm officially done caring.

Opus is gone, long live Opus.

Wonderful! Great place, Berkeley. So true to Opus' character and kindness.

I cant understand why other Salon readers can't see this.

Maybe they arent true believers like you and me.

Sleep well, dear Opus.

Dang.

... and bow it's Sunday on the East Coast.

Sweet dreams, Opus. :-)

At least from the east coast its up on the Humane Society. Don't want to give it away for those who haven't looked yet, but it makes sense and its perfect.....the best ending I've seen to any series in a long long time.

Goodnight Opus.

Good night and sweet dreams my dear little penguin.

So peaceful!

Vaya con Dios, Opus, you've found a better quietus than the kind I'm probably bound for, unless you can save me a place next to the bunny. M. Breathed, it was a long and glorious run - thanks.

Good night, old friend.

Rest in peace, Opus.

Excuse me, folks. Got something in my eye. Gotta go.

it's a freakin' comic strip. it's the freakin' internet - you know, a series of tubes?

sometimes things don't work as expected. do you beat your kids when they fuck up? probably...

it was a great strip, and a great ending. everyone else, get over it, OK?

except for Opus

who has never let me down.

Goodnight sweet chubby-nosed,

herring-breathed friend.

should have let things end in 1995. have fun writing kids books, berke. your heart's been there for a long, long time.

The final panel is in place now, along with a message from Berkely Breathed himself--very sweet!

The expression on Steve's face is sweet and poignant, particularly in contrast with what it has so often looked like. And Goodnight Moon is a great book and a great resting place. Brought a smile to my face when I saw it. I'm still interested, though, in the Opus reflections in Steve's shades.

what does Pam think?

Sheesh, so the ending is up now? That was like watching some television show where they open the final door and the cast looks astonished, and then... commercial break. Way to ruin the moment, humane society.

If Opus is happy, I'm happy. Steve does have a wonderful expression on his face, doesn't he? Maybe he finally gets it. That would be a really cool way to spend eternity... in that moment of finally getting it.

Goodnight Opus

And goodnight Steve

I guess its time you took your leave

Goodnight Binkley

and Cutter John

The time has come and now you're gone

I'll miss you all

Your snorts and laughs

All your foibles and silly gaffes

So while my eyes will not stay dry

I'll smile and sniffle and say

Goodbye.

Rest well. Thanks for everything.

Am I the only one who is seeing it?