I didnt realize it at the time, but the books would end up having a profound influence on me. Something about a six-year-old kid with a non-six-year-old level of intelligence and his stuffed yet stylish tiger just appeals to me.
And even though its been ten years since the strip ended, many of its strips and situations still ring a familiar bell for us. Have many times did this strip pop into your head while youre writing a paper or doing some school project?
I mean, it seems like C&H were years ahead of their time, and its a damn shame Watterson stopped (in part because of him being against licensing C&H so much). At least they didnt end up like Garfield.
Ill expand on this later. Its a subject that I always enjoy going back to, but right now, Ive got some studying to do.
great post. calvin and hobbes were a big part of my childhood too. i loved how watterson attributed calvin seeing hobbes as a real, pouncing animal while everyone else saw him as a plain ol' stuffed tiger to everyone having different perceptions of reality, and/or impressions of what they see.
i also suspect watterson burnt out because his works were so weighted, he used his comics to express his views about his struggles in syndication, his critiques on human nature, etc. it was an art form, even. in a way, i'm half glad he quit, i'd rather that than if he were to go on making half assed funnies. he cared deeply about the integrity of his strips, and throughly enjoyed the freedom of expression he received later on with sunday strip panels.
thinking about it now, i'm sure i learnt a few life lessons from the strip. perhaps what impresses me the most is that i enjoyed them thoroughly as an 8 year old, and still do as a 21 year old. *anticipates jibes about me having the mental age of an 8 year old* any work that can be appreciated on that many levels, is to be admired.