I thought of adding this from another blog I use to have a year ago. It is about my favorite cartoonist, Bill Watterson and his run on Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin and Hobbes is by far my favorite comic strip and in my opinion was one of the best strips ever published.
There is a certain magic in that strip. Just reading a litte can make me think, laugh or just chase the blues away. You see whenever I really feel bad inside reading a little Calvin and Hobbes always brightens my day and gets me back into motion. If I am down, having the blues, nervous about something, upset or even afraid Calvin and Hobbes is the one thing that can really change my entire mood and outlook. It can cheer me up and get me to move on to whatever I need to face.
I really believe that Bill Watterson is one of the most brilliant cartoonists of all time. His run on that strip was remarkable, full of humor, sight gags, observations of daily life, philosophical musings and delvings into the world of a little boy full of imagination, mischievousness and possessed of an intelligent, independent streak. His strip could often operate on two levels. One level that even the average kid could laugh at, while at another level it could elicit thought in even the most learned adult. This allowed the strip to appeal to a diverse array of people. As a kid, Bill Watterson was always surprising me each time I sat down to read Calvin and Hobbes.
There was so much in that strip that I love. I love his work with the various snowmen Calvin would create and how these were often used to illustrate some grander point or observation. I loved the close camaraderie and love Calvin holds towards his imaginary tiger friend Hobbes. I love the frustration and love Calvin’s mom shows towards her son as she puts up with one problem after another from him. When he drifts off and daydreams in class it reminds me of myself in elementary school, how I would often out of boredom drift off into daydreams while the teacher continued with one more lesson. I love the skewed, dysfunctional crush between Calvin and Susie.
I could go and on, I’m sure, about how wonderful I think that strip is, but, hey, maybe if you get a chance you could pick up one of the numerous collections of the series run and take a look for yourself. There is a wonderful three volume compilation of the entire strip that I highly recommend, but I know it may be a bit pricey for some. No fear, there are plenty of other smaller collections of the strip and they are all wonderful.