So far no one has asked what someone other than Calvin would see.
No one would see Hobbes jump on Calvin, of course, but Calvin once photographed Hobbes pouncing on him and showed it to Dad. Dad still saw Hobbes as a stuffed doll but in mid-air.
Anyone seeing Calvin flying backwards through the air with Hobbes would see Calvin holding on to a stuffed doll rather than Hobbes holding onto Calvin.
We did once see Susie see Calvin fighting with Hobbes. “I don’t know which is weirder. That you’re fighting with a stuffed animal or that you seem to be losing!” She could see Calvin fighting the stuffed doll but not Hobbes fighting Calvin which was why she couldn’t understand how even Calvin – whom she always beats – could lose THAT fight.
Instead of seeing Hobbes dragging Calvin backwards, an onlooker would see Calvin crawling backwards with his legs in the air and a stuffed doll between them. Instead of seeing Hobbes picking Calvin up, turning him around and dumping him on his butt. they would see Calvin flip himself backwards and land on his butt. Instead of seeing Hobbes walking away from Calvin, they would see Calvin throw the stuffed doll away from him.
We are seeing what Bill Watterson sees happening but Watterson intended other characters to have a different view of reality. “I do not see Hobbes as a doll who miraculously comes to life when alone with Calvin. Nor do I see Hobbes as a product of Calvin’s imagination…. Hobbes is less to do with dolls coming to life and more to do with the subjective nature of reality.”
As I’ve said before, this is a very philosophical strip.
The quiet little “wump” and Calvin’s shoes in midair are everything. Another brilliant Watterson Sunday comic. It really says something that these remain as fresh, unexpected, and beautiful decades later—one of the best arguments that comics can be art.
I had a Siamese who would literally jump into your arms, whether you were ready or not. Scared the heck out of the cable guy and one of my brothers topped visiting.
I like how the third panel is Hobbes’ tail leaving the frame but it’s also the end of Hobbes’ tail in the fifth panel. Watterson really knew what he was doing with his new layouts.
This is also true of the smaller cats. Wherever they are is their territory. Lots of fun when trying to use a computer keyboard or making bassoon reeds.
BE THIS GUY about 2 years ago
Couldn’t you smell you were in his territory?
codycab about 2 years ago
They wouldn’t want to be friends with someone more dangerous like you Calvin.
Robin Harwood about 2 years ago
I like the upside down “AAAAA…” Calvin is upside down, so it makes sense.
Templo S.U.D. about 2 years ago
what friends? you don’t have very many friends, Calvin, save Hobbes and Susie (if you consider her a friend than a fiend).
Bilan about 2 years ago
That must be the spot in front of the window where the sunlight is shining.
rentier about 2 years ago
A tiger needs his territory, he does everything to hold his ground!
sirbadger about 2 years ago
It looks like 2 Hobbeses are about to tie their tails together.
BigDaveGlass about 2 years ago
Love the upside down “Aaaaaaaah!”
Baarorso about 2 years ago
But Hobbes just wans to wuv you and kiss you and hug you, Calvin! ;D
dhaiphip about 2 years ago
I appreciate the originality of the layout made by Bill.
Red33410 about 2 years ago
An anagram of “territorial animal” is “I’m irrational alert.”
Calvinist1966 about 2 years ago
So far no one has asked what someone other than Calvin would see.
No one would see Hobbes jump on Calvin, of course, but Calvin once photographed Hobbes pouncing on him and showed it to Dad. Dad still saw Hobbes as a stuffed doll but in mid-air.
Anyone seeing Calvin flying backwards through the air with Hobbes would see Calvin holding on to a stuffed doll rather than Hobbes holding onto Calvin.
We did once see Susie see Calvin fighting with Hobbes. “I don’t know which is weirder. That you’re fighting with a stuffed animal or that you seem to be losing!” She could see Calvin fighting the stuffed doll but not Hobbes fighting Calvin which was why she couldn’t understand how even Calvin – whom she always beats – could lose THAT fight.
Instead of seeing Hobbes dragging Calvin backwards, an onlooker would see Calvin crawling backwards with his legs in the air and a stuffed doll between them. Instead of seeing Hobbes picking Calvin up, turning him around and dumping him on his butt. they would see Calvin flip himself backwards and land on his butt. Instead of seeing Hobbes walking away from Calvin, they would see Calvin throw the stuffed doll away from him.
We are seeing what Bill Watterson sees happening but Watterson intended other characters to have a different view of reality. “I do not see Hobbes as a doll who miraculously comes to life when alone with Calvin. Nor do I see Hobbes as a product of Calvin’s imagination…. Hobbes is less to do with dolls coming to life and more to do with the subjective nature of reality.”
As I’ve said before, this is a very philosophical strip.
sandpiper about 2 years ago
A fun read today. Cal’s imagination at its earthly best – the space Cal being equally good.
Susan00100 about 2 years ago
Mom could have enlisted Hobbes’ help help yesterday when she was trying to make Calvin take a bath!!
A Hip loving Canadian... about 2 years ago
… and stay out.
Zebrastripes about 2 years ago
I hate tangling with a tiger…
uniquename about 2 years ago
But mom and dad get to walk through the territory untouched.
JohnTheFoole about 2 years ago
Well, don’t get a stuffed ostrich!
moosemin about 2 years ago
Except for the panel where they’re rolling around, we’ve all seen Mom handle Calvin in the same ways!
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 2 years ago
Try as you might, you can’t let a sleeping cat lie. If you’re there, they know it.
rshive about 2 years ago
Sloths may not be less territorial. But they’re certainly slower.
Sir Isaac about 2 years ago
re less territorial animals, me too.
masingermo about 2 years ago
The quiet little “wump” and Calvin’s shoes in midair are everything. Another brilliant Watterson Sunday comic. It really says something that these remain as fresh, unexpected, and beautiful decades later—one of the best arguments that comics can be art.
YippiKiAyMofo about 2 years ago
Well don’t look to humans, then.
Calvins Brother about 2 years ago
“You’re in my spot!”
mindjob about 2 years ago
If I was Hobbes, I would just pee on Calvin and mark him as part of my territory. It would save a lot of energy
mistercatworks about 2 years ago
I had a Siamese who would literally jump into your arms, whether you were ready or not. Scared the heck out of the cable guy and one of my brothers topped visiting.
g04922 about 2 years ago
Great ! Hobbes is back and in control of Calvin. Been missing Hobbes.
houseof7moons Premium Member about 2 years ago
That’s a good thing, right?!?
wiley207 about 2 years ago
Geez, Hobbes is in a mood.
BiggerNate91 about 2 years ago
I like how the third panel is Hobbes’ tail leaving the frame but it’s also the end of Hobbes’ tail in the fifth panel. Watterson really knew what he was doing with his new layouts.
Teto85 Premium Member about 2 years ago
This is also true of the smaller cats. Wherever they are is their territory. Lots of fun when trying to use a computer keyboard or making bassoon reeds.
Stephen Gilberg about 2 years ago
This from the tiger who shares a bed with Calvin.
Realimaginary1 Premium Member about 2 years ago
Like Herman Munster and Grandpa when Lily’s not around!
hagarthehorrible about 2 years ago
You realized this too late, Calvin. You could have avoided being mauled.
CatCatComic about 2 years ago
Wonder what he’s whistling?
Fuzzy Kombu about 2 years ago
Soon: Calvin and Locke — his stuffed plush gnu/wildebeest companion.
GreggW Premium Member about 2 years ago
You need to get rid of your psychosis.