Bittersweet Candy Bowl
Archive
The archive is made up of 143 chapters and intermissions, collected into six volumes (so far). There are 2,399 pages.
The Bittersweet Candy Bowl Omnibus
3. Merry Snow Day (4 pages, 5/8/06)
Snowfall in the morning, but is it enough to grant Lucy a day off school?
4. Unfit for Education (4 pages, 5/12/06)
Yashy thinks she’s old enough to be taught, but things aren’t always so easy for a pet.
5. The Burden of Parenthood (7 pages, 7/15/11)
The students pair up to care for electronic infants, leading to some shocking results.
7. Prom Preparation (4 pages, 6/3/06)
Daisy is put in charge of the 8th-grade dance night, while Mike takes on the role of ladies’ man.
8. Helping Hands (9 pages, 7/15/11)
When disaster strikes a poor little bird, Paulo and Daisy are eager to help.
9. Show and Tell (4 pages, 6/12/06)
The gang talks about their breeds while certain other misconceptions are thrown out the window.
10. Gone Fishing (6 pages, 6/20/11)
During a field trip to the aquarium, Paulo almost becomes fish food.
11. Pep Rally (6 pages, 6/16/06)
Mike’s hypersensitivity to noise and the upcoming pep rally make for a dangerous combination.
14. Confrontation (30 pages, 1/15/10)
Finding themselves lost in an unfamiliar city, the group faces up to some troublesome characters.
- The trip home (p.26)
15. Aftermath (4 pages, 8/1/06)
Despite a lucky escape, mixed messages leave Mike with an awful taste in his mouth.
16. Field Day (12 pages, 8/4/06)
Outdoor games are fun for everybody, right? Well, unless you take them a little too far…
17. Unfulfilled Fantasy (14 pages, 8/6/06)
A letter arrives for Mike — a reminder of his childhood love.
18. Farewell, Middle School (6 pages, 8/9/06)
Middle school finally comes to an end. After saying goodbye to teachers, summer vacation begins.
20. Hot Pursuit (14 pages, 9/6/06)
Mike sees a familiar face on TV and embarks on a quest to find her in the city.
22. A Difficult Choice (5 pages, 9/12/06)
Plagued with mixed feelings and potential love interests, Mike struggles to make a decision.
23. A New Leaf (4 pages, 9/14/06)
With a refreshed mind and positive outlook, Mike’s strutting around with confidence.
Intermission: Daisy’s Birthday (1 page, 9/28/06)
A gift like this wasn’t exactly what Daisy was asking for.
25. Humble Approach (4 pages, 10/7/06)
Daisy loses heart as she realises she’s not going to get the boy she always wanted.
26. Left Behind (6 pages, 10/20/06)
Tess asks why Lucy is so abrasive. Fortunately, Mike has enough experience to offer some answers.
27. Flirting with Disaster (6 pages, 11/3/06)
A truth or dare question reveals that there’s more to Lucy and Paulo’s friendship than meets the eye.
Intermission: Lucy’s Birthday (3 pages, 11/8/06)
It’s difficult to prepare a surprise party for Lucy. Will it actually work this year?
28. Feline Festivities (16 pages, 12/29/06)
Christmas is around the corner, and everyone is invited to Tess’ party. Tension and punch ensue.
29. Midterm Time (5 pages, 1/12/07)
Exam time is coming, and Tess turns to Daisy for help despite the inherent embarrassment of being tutored by a freshman.
Intermission: Tread Carefully (1 page, 11/16/09)
Paulo isn’t pleased about having to go to school, but Daisy can think of an entertaining distraction.
30. Troubled Waters (12 pages, 1/16/07)
This term, Phys. Ed is all about swimming. But why isn’t Lucy involved?
31. Carry On (6 pages, 2/4/07)
Swimming brings Daisy’s lack of self-confidence to the fore, while Mike laments Lucy’s strange phobia.
32. Follow Me (7 pages, 2/18/07)
Daisy is upset that her male friends only seem to care about “hot” girls like Tess. She seeks comfort from a stranger.
34. Bonding (5 pages, 3/3/07)
Daisy spends more time with her newfound friend, and he reveals there’s more to Tess than meets the eye.
35. Under Pressure (10 pages, 3/17/07)
Abbey reaches boiling point, Daisy flirts for attention, and Tess is haunted by her past.
36. Crash and Burn (4 pages, 3/25/07)
Struggling to hide naughty content from her pets, Lucy finds herself at war with her computer.
Intermission: Out of the Frame (4 pages, 5/14/07)
Upset by her apparent marginalization, Sue protests with a group of neglected classmates.
37. A Different Side (16 pages, 7/4/07)
Another pep rally gives Daisy her chance to shine. But past grudges find the worst times to bubble up to the surface…
Intermission: Birthday Double-Team (2 pages, 5/1/07)
Paulo and Chirpy are celebrating their birthdays together with disastrous results.
38. Rising Temperature (14 pages, 5/27/07)
Abbey reveals his hidden nature. Meanwhile, Daisy invites Mike to a carnival, and all seems to be going as planned…
39. Love My Way (22 pages, 6/27/07)
Tess and Paulo go to prom while Daisy and Mike go to the carnival. Two perfect nights go horribly wrong.
- The carnival (p.11)
40. Moving On (6 pages, 7/7/07)
With freshman year coming to a close, everyone looks back with a sense of relief.
41. Invitation (20 pages, 12/7/07)
Tess asks everyone to join her on an overseas trip. She’ll stop at nothing to get a “yes” from Mike and Lucy.
42. Arrival (30 pages, 6/8/08)
The group arrives at the Islands and meets an awkward new friend.
- Enter Zachary (p.20)
43. Search and Rescue (28 pages, 10/2/08)
When Mike goes missing, Lucy’s dependency problem is stripped bare.
- The fall (p.10)
44. Intervention (24 pages, 1/10/09)
Something is putting Mike on edge, while David confronts Paulo about his clash with Tess.
- The princess and the queen (p.16)
45. Return (18 pages, 1/25/09)
It’s the final night of the trip, and everyone has found a different experience to take away.
46. New Beginnings (13 pages, 3/16/09)
Something has sparked between Daisy and Abbey, and Lucy is curious to know what happened.
47. Pick Me Up (11 pages, 3/31/09)
Lucy is struggling with her feelings, but Mike is sick of the whole game. Paulo picks up the pieces.
50. A Distance Apart (14 pages, 11/18/09)
Sophomore year has begun. While some look forward to the new year, Lucy continues to dwell on her predicament.
52. Another Shoulder (16 pages, 1/15/10)
As her friendship with Mike crumbles, Lucy becomes desperate for comfort and support.
53. Casting Call (10 pages, 3/22/10)
Sue orchestrates a theater production… paying special attention to her casting choices.
54. Back and Forth (33 pages, 4/16/10)
Paulo proves to David that he still has what it takes to get any girl he wants.
- Jessica (p.6)
- Rachel (p.12)
- “YOUNGER!” (p.18)
- Hallway confrontation (p.27)
55. To the Top (11 pages, 7/7/10)
A burgeoning career, good friends, all the stuff a girl could ever need…
59. Rehearsal (4 pages, 11/15/10)
Sue’s script calls for a little more than Lucy wants to reveal. But there’s always the privacy of your own room, right?
60. Feline Filibuster (18 pages, 11/24/10)
Jasmine runs in a school election, only to face an immediate challenge.
61. Pillow Talk (61 pages, 1/5/11)
Daisy invites the girls over for a sleepover party at her place. Pajama drama!
- Jasmine and Paulo’s fight (p.14)
- Jessica’s plan (p.20)
- Lucy’s “first time” (p.38)
- About Augustus… (p.53)
63. On the Sidelines (3 pages, 12/10/13)
Shut out of the conversation, Lucy commisserates with Augustus.
64. Carry Me (27 pages, 7/4/11)
Paulo is happy with his new girlfriend, but only when she has time for him.
65. Dinner Time (19 pages, 9/16/11)
Reeling from Mike’s cold shoulder, Lucy becomes a recluse in her own house.
66. On Our Own (6 pages, 9/4/11)
The school day is over, but Augustus is stuck with an irritating problem.
67. Fade Away (6 pages, 9/19/11)
Tess is feeling uneasy about her upcoming graduation. Is it the usual senior chills, or is there something more?
68. December (39 pages, 10/3/11)
Winter’s here, but there’s one more assignment before Christmas vacation.
- Augustus’ “serious talk” (p.7)
- A surprising text (p.19)
- Exit Michael (p.31)
69. At Loose Ends (48 pages, 1/2/12)
With the help of those who love him, Abbey finds closure for his old family.
- The party (p.14)
- “Cynthia?” (p.23)
- Road trip (p.31)
- Goodbye (p.41)
Intermission: Adult Supervision (9 pages, 12/10/13)
Mike and Haley’s parents are on a date night, leaving the kids to babysit little brother Chris.
Volume Four
Mike has reunited with the girl of his dreams, but a dramatic departure is about to become the stuff of Paulo’s nightmares.
Will a booze-fueled night of intimate confessions bring the gang together or tear fragile relationships apart?
70. Piece of Cake (17 pages, 4/23/12)
Paulo takes advantage of a convenient confection to visit Lucy.
71. Just Beautiful (33 pages, 6/1/12)
The biggest night of Mike’s life.
- The bad guy once again (p.15)
- Snowball (p.28)
73. Ten Seconds to Midnight (30 pages, 12/3/12)
Another year, another broken heart. Meanwhile, Augustus happens upon a frightening sight.
- The rooftop (p.13)
- We need to talk (p.19)
74. Curtain Call (36 pages, 2/11/13)
Sue’s big production finally takes the stage.
- A new hero (p.19)
75. Breaking Up (28 pages, 5/4/13)
The gang reach out for Lucy, but there isn’t much left to grab.
- The hospital (p.17)
77. Study Buddy (20 pages, 7/10/13)
Daisy arranges a study party. It isn’t too long before Mike’s biggest secret starts to slip.
- Violin lessons (p.17)
79. Critical Hit (22 pages, 9/12/13)
A gallery trip provides Sue with a few intellectual challenges.
Volume Five
A hopeful prom night ends in disaster, Paulo’s clumsy fix for a friend’s relationship nearly backfires, and Augustus struggles to break a bad habit.
81. Take Heart (33 pages, 1/20/14)
Abbey and Daisy face their first major blow-up, while Paulo becomes wary of a new man for Rachel.
- Paulo’s fundraising idea (p.17)
83. Small Fry (17 pages, 5/14/14)
Paulo lands his first job. Rachel hesitates to start a difficult conversation.
84. Scenic Route (24 pages, 6/27/14)
As graduation approaches, Tess takes the crew on a hiking trip.
- Skipping rocks (p.13)
85. Total Recall (42 pages, 8/25/14)
Paulo’s second junior prom faces a rude interruption.
- The limousine awaits (p.11)
- Blinding light (p.25)
86. Trapped (37 pages, 12/1/14)
Longing for something better, Augustus recalls his twisted upbringing.
- Why’d I ever get involved? (p.8)
- Introspection (p.34)
87. Boy Toy (32 pages, 2/25/15)
Love can take many forms, Paulo.
- At the movies (p.11)
- Study time (p.20)
Volume Six
Paulo wrestles with his worst impulses, Abbey crushes what he’s been holding onto far too tight, and Jasmine cleans up some trash.
Oh, and Sandy's not the only bombshell about to land a direct hit upon Mike’s fragile little social life!
89. Guest of Honor (48 pages, 6/15/15)
Daisy drags Paulo to a comic convention. Abbey would like a word with him.
- Enter the con (p.9)
- The bathroom (p.34)
90. Golden Hour (44 pages, 10/3/15)
Matt invites the group out to his aunt’s beach house. Paulo struggles to find his feelings.
- Calling Daisy (p.11)
- David reaches out (p.31)
- Campfire (p.36)
91. Dial Tone (24 pages, 1/18/16)
The day before Junior year begins, Mike’s nightmares are back to chase him down.
- Safety blanket (p.20)
92. Table for One (20 pages, 3/18/16)
Daisy has an unexpected encounter with Augustus, while Mike’s met with an acute sense of déjà vu.
93. Clean Slate (12 pages, 5/9/16)
This next year of environmental club isn’t quite what Jasmine imagined.
94. Model Girlfriend (46 pages, 7/4/16)
Sandy’s finally here, and Mike’s ecstatic for their first date.
- She’s here (p.9)
- The race (p.32)
95. Love Again (50 pages, 10/26/16)
Lucy’s back after a long absence, but her new attitude leaves the group uncertain.
- Encounter (p.6)
- Back to the rooftop (p.30)
- Welcome home (p.43)
96. Unspoken Rule (28 pages, 3/3/17)
Daisy patches up her friendship with Paulo, while Mike gets a rejection he wasn’t prepared to hear.
- Dodgeball (p.13)
…and everything after:
97. After You (26 pages, 5/10/17)
Lucy visits the carnival with Paulo, but it’s not the kind of date he was expecting.
- Top of the ferris wheel (p.18)
98. Moments Apart (26 pages, 9/2/17)
It’s Daisy’s sweet sixteen, and both of her special someones say hello.
100. High Expectations (30 pages, 12/19/17)
Abbey copes with rejection. Mike bristles at Sandy’s mere mention. Paulo stumbles upon a lunchtime rendezvous.
- Paulo grabs the phone (p.12)
- “What the fuck is this?!” (p.22)
102. Escape Route (33 pages, 3/16/18)
Lucy reckons with a disturbing fragment of the past.
- An unexpected passenger (p.8)
- Lucy’s nightmare (p.23)
103. It’s All in the Mind (22 pages, 6/1/18)
Lucy wants life to go back to normal, but there are some people you just can’t escape.
- Hiding in the bushes (p.10)
104. Fair Game (34 pages, 9/17/18)
Madison’s bowling alley birthday party nearly goes awry as Paulo enacts a ludicrous plan to get Matt his dream date.
- Stupid sexy Mike (p.14)
- Come here often? (p.19)
- The ride home (p.24)
Intermission: Sugar Substitute (4 pages, 12/10/18)
Everybody ends up talking about Paulo and bathrooms.
107. Unwanted Gift (10 pages, 3/2/20)
Lucy’s getting her birthday celebrated whether she wants it or not.
Buried Treasure
Over the years, many additional comics have been made that fit outside the archive. Here are some significant ones.
Members’ Library
Side stories available to Bittersweet Club International members. Purchase an annual membership for instant access to the entire collection!
Blind Date
Free sample! 11 pages
As Rachel begs to get in his pants, Matt struggles to figure out how to navigate the dating scene when you aren’t really pining for a cute girl.
Everyday Life
Free sample! 25 pages
Five characters, five pages each. A little view into Roseville High right before the return of Lucy.
Grave Concern
Free sample! 21 pages
Lucy didn’t survive the jump, and she’s not about to let Mike forget it.
Sweet Dreams
15 pages
Molly’s really really sick, and everyone’s counting on a certain sweet voice to soothe her.
Molly’s Adventure
24 pages
Anxious to play saleswoman for a day, Molly’s choice to seize the moment (and a friend) proves both a blessing and a curse.
Another Path
24 pages
Paulo daydreams about a romantic rendezvous with Lucy. Where could it lead…?
Magic Tricks
21 pages
When David’s dark wizardry causes accidental body swaps, discoveries are made, photos are taken and, uh.
Disaster Dominoes
33 pages
Five years later and it’s still the most awful thing. Everything has gone wrong in Roseville.
Another Chance
28 pages
What if Abbey never interrupted Augustus’ forced kiss?
Door to Door
8 pages
Molly enlists her brother to sell cookies with her. Awkward encounters with Mike, Daisy and Paulo result.
Accidents Will Happen
18 pages
A one-night stand with Augustus has bigger consequences than Daisy ever expected.
Mostly Harmless
8 pages
Some hypothetical kittens have fun catching bugs. The next generation of shipping.
First Dance
8 pages
Paulo and Daisy hatch a plan. Hey, it’s just like that episode of The Simpsons!
In Deep
5 pages
Lucy catches Paulo in the bath, and he does his best to make the most of the situation. In a thoughtful way!!
Picture Perfect
1 page
A static version of the once-interactive comic that came with the BCB iPhone app.
Promise
6 pages
Young Mike and Sandy are approaching the end of their time together, so together they make a promise.
Family Comix
3 pages
Lucy, Daisy, Paulo, Mike and Sue appear in a few scenes from home (and work!) with their families.
Christmas Dinner
8 pages
Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is these two cats under the mistletoe. Part of the Another Path storyline.
Store Credit
8 pages
It’s Haley’s birthday, and Paulo takes Mike out to go gift shopping. Sparks fly!
Baby Blues
8 pages
Young Daisy has a pregnancy scare. Mike’s gonna be a father!
Another December
11 pages
What if Lucy came to Paulo after the events of “December”? Part of the Another Path storyline.
Another Boyfriend
8 pages
In the not too distant future, Mike and Lucy are going behind Paulo’s back. How’s he gonna take it?
Fork in the Road
29 pages
A three-part tragedy. Mike reunites with Lucy for a night of passion, but there’s a storm coming.
Love Letters
15 pages
Madison’s got a little crush. Not that you’d ever figure her feelings out.
Augustus, You Jerk #2
6 pages
Augustus doing what he does best. Boom, roasted!
Magical Girl Redux
17 pages
A retold fragment of the pre-BCB Magical Girl Lucy story back when Veronica was an anime.
Play Date
11 pages
What if Augustus was a little younger and grew up alongside Lucy?
Blood Lust
12 pages
So, uh, Mike is a vampire. It is literally about that.
Candied Bacon
12 pages
The school’s going hog wild for Jessica’s treats at the bake sale! Can Daisy save these pigs from the slaughter?
Sob Story
13 pages
Sue needs an interview subject. Augustus obliges when Paulo doesn’t.
Out of Ideas
11 pages
Molly is tasked with making a great BCI for you all.
Photo Day
9 pages
Daisy wakes up with the worst look imaginable.
Ice Breaker
10 pages
Sue gives Paulo some much-needed lessons in conversational etiquette.
Merry Christmas, Roseville!
12 pages
With his guardian angel’s guidance, Mike witnesses just how wonderful life in Roseville would be without him.
Elementary School Sweethearts
14 pages
What if Sandy never moved away from Roseville? Life would be awfully different… Well, maybe just awful.
A Better You
13 pages
Daisy’s future self pays Roseville High a visit. She’s got some serious wisdom to share.
Another Intervention
16 pages
What if, on that fateful night, Augustus was already on the roof?
Essential Worker
16 pages
It’s Take Your Child To Work Day, and Daisy’s excited to visit her dad. Who’s... some kind of magical guardian?!
Another Perspective
12 pages
What if Daisy was standing atop the hill after Mike’s breakup with Sandy?
Another Rescue
14 pages
What if Paulo fell off the bridge during summer vacation?
Another Direction
17 pages
What if Mike took James up on his “Date Night” offer?
Another Date
16 pages
What if Paulo won the race for a date with James?
Pen Pals
14 pages
Third-grade Mike leaves for another city. Two girls bond over writing him letters.
Another Choice
11 pages
Mike could have dropped Sandy. He could have said yes. The first time.
Another Way
12 pages
What if Daisy followed Augustus’s guide to seduce Mike... and won him over?
Book-exclusive chapters
Full-fledged bonus chapters made just for the published volumes. Available in the BCB Store as physical books and eBooks.
Curtain Rising
Volume Four, 2 pages
As Sue frets backstage, Jessica pops in for a final word of encouragement.
No Service
Volume Four, 4 pages
While his messages go unanswered, Mike never has to worry about losing touch with a certain pair.
Critical Eye
Volume Four, 4 pages
Chastened by Paulo, Sue tries to connect with Paulo’s interests. For a moment.
Payback
Volume Four, 6 pages
Jasmine, Mina and Cassidy take a trip to the movie theater, sponsored by a guilt-ridden patron.
There’s a Chance
Volume Five, 4 pages
Roxy thanks Jordan for a great night at prom, but he’s not about to learn a thing.
Afterglow
Volume Five, 8 pages
Rachel’s friends-with-benefits arrangement with Paulo is fraying at the seams, but she puts on a happy face.
Unpacking Day
Volume Six, 8 pages
Lucy’s back home. While her mom sees a chance to reach out, Lucy isn’t interested in her advice.
Comics from Candybooru
A selection of noncanonical curiosities posted to Candybooru.
Birthday Melody
2 pages, 6/3/06
David cheers on Lucy with a song that strikes deep in her lovestruck heart.
Natural Instincts
1 page, 10/27/06
Yashy wonders if these cats really do do anything cat-like. Mike’s ready to oblige.
Bus Stop
1 page, 6/6/07
Lucy is late because the bus is late and she’s about ready to bite somebody’s head off.
Search for Treasure
2 pages, 4/18/08
Young Mike goes searching for Sandy’s missing ribbon, but really hurts his brain.
Friendship Day
1 page, 5/16/08
On this most special day of the year, Daisy’s eager to distribute extra-meaningful literary gifts.
A Robot Cat
2 pages, 8/8/08
An obedient cat-droid relentlessly pursues Lucy, a little bit like Paulo.
Bittersweet Style Experiment
1 page, 1/17/09
We finally sell out to the furries, but the cast isn’t about to take it without a fight.
Snowy Summer Vacation
1 page, 8/10/10
Posted when Summer Vacation arc took a lot longer than Summer itself.
Sue’s Interview
1 page, 9/6/10
Sue reports on a frequent reader question and gets a fairly blunt answer.
April Fools’ 2011 (Pillow Talk)
1 page, 4/1/11
A violent conclusion to “Pillow Talk”, posted as a page update on David’s appearance under the bed.
April Fools’ 2015 (Paulo Tales)
1 page, 4/1/15
A total site takeover to reflect the new star of the show — your favorite orange Somali!
Kickstarter Promo 2017
1 page, 2/22/17
A special update promoting the new Kickstarter and the debut of the Daisy plush. Who better a customer than Abbey?
Kickstarter Promo 2018 (Fair Game)
1 page, 11/23/18
Sandy interrupts a meaningful moment between Paulo and Matt in “Fair Game” to sell her Kickstarter.
April Fools’ 2019 (Witch Hunt)
1 page, 4/1/19
After breaking off from Mike in “Witch Hunt”, Augustus deters Daisy from selling us on the wonderful benefits of Volume Six. With a bullet.
Graveyard
The final resting place for some obsolete chapters removed from the archive.
Unfulfilled dayyyy
9 pages, 5/3/06
BCB’s first chapter. It was a bit aimless, so Simple Pleasures replaced it.
The Burden of Parenthood (Original version)
4 pages, 5/19/06
Replaced with an updated version after the release of Volume One.
Chirpy’s Introduction
4 pages, 6/9/06
A chapter for Chirpy! Once absent from the archive entirely, it was brought back with the remake “Flying Lessons” in 2021.
Unfinished Abbey Chapter
3 pages, 2007
Originally planned to follow “Moving On”, this story was later covered in At Loose Ends.
Hydrothunder Tantrum
2 pages, 5/5/07
Mike and Lucy catch pocket monsters. Removed from the archive after the release of the first Omnibus.
Like a Bittersweet Candy Bowl
7 pages, 6/20/11
A fourth-wall-breaking introduction to Volume One and the world of BCB.
Sweet Surprises
1 page, 6/20/11
Everyone’s just itching to try the new gumball machine. A Volume One exclusive, removed from the archive after the release of the first Omnibus.
Dinner Time
19 pages, 9/23/11
Squabbling over the kitchen table, we see a glimpse of Lucy’s home life. Remade in 2020 and now part of the comic archive.
Starting Over
34 pages, 9/14/12
Part Two Part Three
Jessica and Rachel get to know the cast. An abandoned attempt to summarize the story for new readers picking up Volume Two.
Another Plan
9 pages, 1/7/14
A speculative bonus chapter that was published during the comic’s “holiday break”.
Another Trip
16 pages, 2/2/15
Part Two
What if Lucy followed Augustus home to the wrong side of the tracks? Member-only comic repurposed in 2018 for a long sequence in “Escape Route”.
Obsolete Volumes
We substantially rewrote and redrew the first three volumes in 2017–2021. These older volumes are available for free download in eBook form:
Volume One (551mb .zip)
592 pages, released June 2011
Volume Two (544mb .zip)
276 pages, released December 2012
Volume Three (248mb .zip)
260 pages, released December 2013
And beyond:
Ask Roseville High
The Bittersweet Candy Bowl cast take questions from readers.
Ships Ahoy!
A three-panel strip for every pairing imaginable.
Stream drawings
Over a thousand requests from Patreon-supported art streams.
Read a page early on Patreon
Another day of being garbage
A new direction
The silent treatment
Trauma in the shower
Field Molly
