Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for July 23, 2023

He must have lost it helping an old woman cross the Anauros.

So says the negotiating team…..

I love this strip because it shows a great contrast between Calvin talking like a regular kid to his parents and his sophisticated conversation with Hobbes.

I feel like that’s how most kids think in real life, even if they don’t consciously realize it.

Calvin is a lean mean stalling machine!

You have to train parents one way or another

Amazing how a six-year-old’s strategy can beat that of an adult.

And just ignore the story for a moment. The scenes are mostly Calvin standing and Hobbes sitting in front of him. Look at how Watterson uses different colours to avoid visual monotony!

And here comes Mom in 3…2…1…

If I tried that with my mom when I was little, I’d have been grounded for a month.

Well played Mr. Watterson! :D

Does Hobbes mean that even in the rain another minute outside and awake is a good minute when soaked?

Ahh, back in the days when you could play outdoors (with no parents watching you like a hawk) from morning to after dark (with breaks for meals in between). Alas, those days are over.

Oh to be a child again on summer nights. We had a rule, once the street lights came on it was time to go in.

One unusual factor about today’s strip is that it is Hobbes rather than Calvin who breaks the Fourth Wall and speaks directly to us. When Hobbes speaks directly to us, it is usually on the rare occasions when he is by himself. I noticed to of those strips in the first Calvin and Hobbes collection that I read which was “Something Under The Bed Is Drooling”, the second Calvin and Hobbes collection to be published.

Calvin used up a lot of good material today!

Come on Mum, shut the door, turn out the outside lights. Then go out so he doesn´t see you, sneak up on him and touch him on the shoulder – or shout in his ear.

Does Calvin have any idea how dangerous nighttime is?

Those are great pointers from Calvin.

Cal takes his little successes where he finds them. He doesn’t get that many.

Anything to avoid taking a bath, eh Calvin?

He’s on her last nerve….

Mom should have reminded Calvin that tigers hunt at night and that it’s been awhile since Hobbes last ate.

I used to play that game as well. However, I tried that with dinner only ONE time. When I finally came in for dinner, I found the table cleared and mom washing up. I asked “Where’s dinner?” She said, “This is not a restaurant. I called you for dinner, you didn’t come. Breakfast is at 6am, I suggest you not be late for that.”

That last line depends on what’s on TV.

Love Hobbes’ rationale…

This is so brilliant because it’s exactly what takes place in these situations without either side actually realizing it.

Calvin seems to have his procedures down pat.

Calvin has turned annoying grown-ups and extending playtime into an art form.

I’ve had a child like this one and I still have to say “Oh Lord”

Parenting is not about negotiation. Children have unlimited time for it; you do not. I know it is hard to remember. Make a mantra or something out it. I’m not saying you don’t make compromises, but do it for your own purposes. Otherwise, you are not parenting, you are raising a slave master.

Who knew that a carefree summer night takes so much work?

He could also mention the shooting stars are most visible tonight

been there, done that. …don’t tell on me.

Mom should leave Calvin outside another hour and enjoy the peace and quiet inside.

Boy does this remind me of childhood. Our family was one of a larger group that went camping together. You could stay out with the gang later because all the parents knew where you were. We were sent to bed by age group.

I have a strip on my fridge from “For Better Or For Worse”: Elly is calling Elizabeth and she’s hiding and the ballon says: " I’ll wait until she really means it."

This is the same kid who can’t add two single digit integers.

One has to love this precocious child.

The principle…and almost exact practice…I lived my childhood by! :D

Six year olds are feral. Calvin is more feral than most.

I lost several shoes as a kid, but never on purpose. I’d kick at something, and one would be gone.

Love the color choices here to represent the sun having nearly set completely. And of course I love when Calvin trolls his Mom like that.