How about the newspaper funny pages? Imagine the fame that would come with being the subject of a daily strip, especially in those days, before the Internet, when newspapers were still widely read.
Very “meta”- this is probably Watterson explaining why he doesn’t want there to be a TV show based on his work. “I never wanted to see an actor auditioning to voice Hobbes”, I believe he said.
Long Live Calvin & Hobbes.many thanks to gocomics for bringing these back.and, of course, to Bill Watterson for creating them and allowing them to be shown here again.
Rather astute observations about mass consciousness and the power of media, considering it came from a 6 year old mind. Of course, in just a few seconds, consciousness was about to become a moot point.
Watterson has an uncanny ability to have his audience experience the Calvin & Hobbes adventure as it happens. For example; as you read today’s strip, when they went airborne, off the cliff, didn’t you feel something yourself? I didn’t think it was possible to be empathic with cartoon characters. Thank you Bill.
How prescient Watterson was 30 years ago, IE: “On TV the impact of an event is determined by the image, not its substance.” Eloquently speaks of the politicians of today, does it not?
His vocabulary: validates existence, fleeting and elusive, mass consciousness, conceivably… This is a large part of what makes Calvin so interesting. The creator is telling us that this is a very smart kid, more bored at school than failing it. Watching a dumb kid do dumb things would not be nearly so interesting.
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
Calvin, YouTube is only 15 years away.
LeeCox over 4 years ago
Ask the “Agony of Defeat” guy what he thinks of your philosophy, Calvin!
mattro65 over 4 years ago
Everybody’s looking for a moment of fame and far too many will settle for a moment of infamy.
Watcher over 4 years ago
But your fame will last only 15 minutes and is fleeting.
codycab over 4 years ago
You’re no Evel Kneivel, Calvin.
Sonic the Hedgehog over 4 years ago
Another phlosiphical Sunday
in.amongst over 4 years ago
I came here after binge watching ballet vids on youtube for no apparent reason. At least i now know i am not high-brow!
Bilan over 4 years ago
The plus side of TV is that only your brain turns to rot.
GROG Premium Member over 4 years ago
You are anything and everything but boring, Calvin. You don’t need a suicide sleigh ride to prove it.
ellisaana Premium Member over 4 years ago
They already are cultural icons.
Jaddis over 4 years ago
Calvin and especially Hobbes are already cultural icons.
Johnny Q Premium Member over 4 years ago
Sort of like the ski-jumper wiping out in the WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS intro…
Yngvar Følling over 4 years ago
How about the newspaper funny pages? Imagine the fame that would come with being the subject of a daily strip, especially in those days, before the Internet, when newspapers were still widely read.
Gary Fabian over 4 years ago
I see a big impact coming in Calvin’s future. And sooner than he thinks.
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member over 4 years ago
Before viral became viral!
Jabroniville Premium Member over 4 years ago
Very “meta”- this is probably Watterson explaining why he doesn’t want there to be a TV show based on his work. “I never wanted to see an actor auditioning to voice Hobbes”, I believe he said.
SeanT over 4 years ago
So Calvin grew up to be Mark Zuckerberg.
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
This kid just described YouTube so perfectly over a decade before it became real!
cubswin2016 over 4 years ago
I am not going sledding with that nut.
uniquename over 4 years ago
“And on TV, the impact of an event is determined by the image, not its substance.”
One of the important reasons why you shouldn’t watch TV/video for your news.
ekw555 over 4 years ago
even in print, the sled rides made them icons.
Long Live Calvin & Hobbes.many thanks to gocomics for bringing these back.and, of course, to Bill Watterson for creating them and allowing them to be shown here again.
gantech over 4 years ago
Rather astute observations about mass consciousness and the power of media, considering it came from a 6 year old mind. Of course, in just a few seconds, consciousness was about to become a moot point.
hk Premium Member over 4 years ago
Go for it, the TV is full of idiots. Try not to watch too much, it will suck your brains out.
garcoa over 4 years ago
Watterson clearly loves to create strong visuals.
sonnygreen over 4 years ago
Watterson has an uncanny ability to have his audience experience the Calvin & Hobbes adventure as it happens. For example; as you read today’s strip, when they went airborne, off the cliff, didn’t you feel something yourself? I didn’t think it was possible to be empathic with cartoon characters. Thank you Bill.
micromos over 4 years ago
I wish they were on TV.
V45mikky over 4 years ago
It could be forever in the reruns.
mgillgannon Premium Member over 4 years ago
I thought Cal lived in the suburbs.
BiathlonNut over 4 years ago
Remember, Calvin, that it is not the fall off the cliff that is bad, but it is the sudden stop at the end. Choose a nice, fluffy snowdrift.
mistercatworks over 4 years ago
Fortunately, comic strips perform much the same function. “Calvin and Hobbes” will be on that sled forever.
DCBakerEsq over 4 years ago
I’ve been on TV numerous times. And, yet, still no Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Tony Lombardi over 4 years ago
Interesting how Watterson predicted the future of YouTube.
SweetSinger over 4 years ago
Ah, the layers of Metaphor. Dream big, Calvin. We need you.
WCraft Premium Member over 4 years ago
Brilliant treatise on “TV” and, yes, you are cultural icons now!
marilynnbyerly over 4 years ago
A good subject for SuperBowl Day. Sadly, Calvin, you are also losing views to a groundhog. Semper Phil!
yangeldf over 4 years ago
wow, this comic basically predicted internet culture
Gordo4ever over 4 years ago
How prescient Watterson was 30 years ago, IE: “On TV the impact of an event is determined by the image, not its substance.” Eloquently speaks of the politicians of today, does it not?
Ray_C over 4 years ago
His vocabulary: validates existence, fleeting and elusive, mass consciousness, conceivably… This is a large part of what makes Calvin so interesting. The creator is telling us that this is a very smart kid, more bored at school than failing it. Watching a dumb kid do dumb things would not be nearly so interesting.
liberalnlovinit over 4 years ago
Perfectly describes the thing called “Trump.”
Ermine Notyours over 4 years ago
Over at Pearls Before Swine, Rat also wishes he had anonymity.
chfabbro over 4 years ago
Ironically, the image of Calvin and Hobbes flying on a sled became iconic without any assistance from television.
joannesshadow over 4 years ago
Imagine Calvin with a Gopro
Greg Johnston over 4 years ago
And now, Calvin would have a GoPro and post his vid to YouTube or social media. Watterson saw the future.
einarbt over 4 years ago
Well you are on the internet and in books so this ride has been viewed by 1000s of people – ergo validated – right?
Dr. Quatermass over 4 years ago
Imagine Calvin with a Big Bang Theory laugh track… and crappy writers… and crappy characters… NO, DON’T!
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 4 years ago
Palindrome day!
02.02.2020
The last one was 900 years ago, remember?