Once upon a time way back in the 1980s there was a cartoonist called Bill Watterson. He elaborated on his own childhood to create one of the all-time most hilarious, insightful and delightful cartoons of the 20th century.
Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin is a precocious eight year old. His stuffed tiger Hobbes (the reference to the philosopher is not lost here) comes alive when they play together.
With consummate wit, masterful drawing style and deep understanding of the wondering mind of a super smart, relentlessly imaginative and hyper-energetic kid whose best friend, companion, playmate and confidant is a stuffed tiger, Watterson created a comic world where he could comment on childhood, society, and family life in suburban America. My favorite was ‘Scientific Progress Goes “Boink”‘ published in 1991 by Andrews and McMeel Universal Press Syndicate*.
Each winter season I would look forward to a few strips devoted Calvin’s snowpeople. Here is a compendium of these side-splitting cartoons all in one place.
There’s a film about Watterson’s career called “Dear Mr. Watterson” that traces the impact of this marvelous strip. You can see if on Amazon.
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