Breaking Stephan: A Pearls Before Swine Collection

A single 2014 collection from Andrews McMeel, Breaking Stephan gathers the early Pearls Before Swine newspaper strips that introduced the hapless, perpetually victimized rat, Stephan. Created by Stephan Pastis, this volume spotlights the series' signature blend of cynical humor, absurdist wordplay, and the ongoing, often violent rivalry between the arrogant Rat and the naive, earnest pig, Pastis's own stand-in. It's a concise entry point for readers wanting to see the strip's formative days and the debut of a supporting character who embodies the comic's delight in cruel, deadpan comedy.