'Calvin and Hobbes' Creator Keeps Privacy

Associated Press ^ | October 22, 2005 | Joe Milicia

[Charles Henrickson]

Bill Watterson, creator of the syndicated cartoon strip 'Calvin & Hobbes' is shown in this Feb. 24, 1986 file photo at his home in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. (AP Photo/The Plain Dealer, C.H. Pete Copeland)

[Charles Henrickson]

"Calvin and Hobbes" is my favorite comic strip of all time. ("The Far Side," for a single-panel cartoon.)

[gondramB]

There is something really admirable about somebody who creates something wonderful and then doesn't seek attention for the rest of his life or try to milk his creation for every last dime.

[Tiger Smack]

great comics. Too bad theirs so much crappy comics today. The worse is "For Better or Worse" where every damn day they preach about something. Its like reading a comic strip from my folks....nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag

[Tiger Smack]

great comics. Too bad theirs so much crappy comics today. The worse is "For Better or Worse" where every damn day they preach about something. Its like reading a comic strip from my folks....nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag

[wimpycat]

Peanuts...Calvin and Hobbes...The Far Side.

These are the best comic strips of all time, IMO.

[Hexenhammer]

As a long time devote of Calvin and Hobbes, I thank you for posting this article.

[wimpycat]

Most of all, I miss the snowmen Calvin made.

[Flux Capacitor]

Bill Watterson is a hero of the comic strip medium, in the same strata as Charles Schulz and Walt Kelly. CALVIN AND HOBBES is nothing less than one of the five greatest comic strips of the last half-century, and Watterson's genius is matched only by his artistic integrity: So steadfast was he against Universal's attempts to merchandise his so-obviously-merchandisable strip, he threatened to shut the whole thing down if Calvin and Hobbes showed up on so much as a single Burger King cup. And in the end, he won.

The man is simply great. Thanks for the memories, Bill.

-Dan

[Tench_Coxe]

Don't forget 'Dilbert'.

[nickcarraway]

I agree, "Calvin and Hobbes" is no. 1, ahead of even Krazy Kat.

[Tench_Coxe]

I agree.

[Charles Henrickson]

Thought you C & H fans would like to see this thread.

[caryatid]

... the funny pages haven't been the same since ...

It was like the death of a dear friend ...

Their all-encompassing bond of friendship — being able to share joy and have fun together, yet get angry and frustrated with one another — was another reason for the strip's success.

This could almost describe the success of Free Republic, as well ...

[Choose Ye This Day]

Those are my two favorites, as well. Watterson and Larson both bowed out at the top of their game. While I miss their work, I have to admire their decision. They'll always be remembered as excellent--unlike those who should have given up decades ago (Garry Trudeau comes to mind, for some reason).

These days, I don't read the comics much. I like "Zits." I like "Real Life Adventures." A couple others.

[gilor]

http://www.ucomics.com/calvinandhobbes/

beware of popups, but most of them are here.

[VictoryGal]

Agreed-- what a great article that brought a smile to my face. Watterson's work is pure genius and so genuine and delightful.

Now, if only we can keep our nephew-- a real Calvin in the making-- from reading the books until he gets old enough. :-)

[kromike]

Agreed. It's a shame that more similarly-talented people in Hollywood can't take a cue from Mr. Watterson and behave in a similar fashion when not in front of the camera.

I've never understood what motivates Brittany Spears or Katie Holmes to gush non-stop about their pregnancies. Or Ben Affleck or George Clooney or Sean Penn gush non-stop on their "extensive" U.S. Foreign Policy initiatives. Or Rosie O'Donnell or Ellen "DeGenerate" gush non-stop about how proud they are to be carpet-munchers.

What makes Mr. Watterson special is that I respect his privacy as much as he likely "respects" the public's right not to be bothered with personal info that we'd just as rather not know.

[Turbopilot]

Truly a comic great. I think I've read every single Calvin and Hobbes strip, and I still find them instances of utter brilliance.

There is a comic who has superceded Bil Watterson's genius. However, his work is not suitable for families. The first strip (which is family friendly, but not particularly funny on its own) can be found here. I must warn forum readers; Achewood is frequently and generally not family-friendly fare. However, if one reads it from the beginning (i.e. my first link), which is almost required to truly become a fan of this strip, and one is an adult, able to put comic vulgarity and/or obscenity into context, one will realize that this strip shows the same utter brilliance and artistic commentary that made C&H so beloved.

[Choose Ye This Day]

he against Universal's attempts to merchandise his so-obviously-merchandisable strip

I didn't know about any of this. I have to admire the guy. And if I see one more window decal on a pickup truck of Calvin whizzing on anything, I'm going to scream.