Hey! It’s the next big fad! After long hair, and nose rings, and tattoes, and devil horn implants, and gender flip-flop surgery, a tail is the next big thing on the list! Maybe with unicorn horns after that! How about long ears? Up or down?? Gotta make ourselves different than the last (and obviously out of touch) generation. Be cool, Daddy-O.
A very human Hobbes today rather than the animalistic Hobbes of yesterday’s strip.
Watterson explains in The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book that he sees Hobbes as more animal than human and based him partly on his cat Sprite. He goes on to state in the third paragraph on Hobbes “I do not see Hobbes as a toy who miraculously comes to life when alone with Calvin. Nor do I see Hobbes as a product of Calvin’s imagination.”
As I have explained before, I originally assumed that the living Hobbes was meant to be part of Calvin’s wonderful imagination but I read my first Calvin and Hobbes collection in May 1988 and noticed that some strips show Hobbes as alive when Calvin isn’t with him. After that I kept an eye out for strips that show Hobbes without Calvin. Some strips certainly show the living Hobbes as catlike while others show him more as an enlarged version of the stuffed toy that characters other than Calvin see him as.
I agree Hobbes – I’d like to hang around by my tail IF I had one. Gently swinging in the breeze while I read or meditate or snooze. Kinda like my hammock but much less of a nuisance to set up.
I’ve long thought that tails would be nice, but frankly a tail made of regular skin wouldn’t cut it. Nor a tail covered with stringy chimpanzee-sy hair, either. So maybe it’s for the best. It is curious that all of our closest primate cousins are tailless. Must have been some sort of fad that was going around, eight or ten milliion years ago.
This reminds me of a comment once made about the Green Bay Packers’ all-time great middle linebacker, Ray Nitschke: “Didn’t have a nickname; didn’t need one.”
Some days I think it would be cool to have a prehensile tail, so I can grab on to things. It’d be like have a third hand. But then I think about sitting down anywhere with it and decide it’s not worth it.
BE THIS GUY about 2 years ago
Hey Hobbes, no touching there!
codycab about 2 years ago
It probably would be cool to have a tail. Maybe to bounce and stuff.
bluram about 2 years ago
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover about 2 years ago
No opposable toes or fangs either.
sirbadger about 2 years ago
He’s not an Instagram woman.
Erse IS better about 2 years ago
Tails may BE aesthetic but that’s not ALL they are!
Farside99 about 2 years ago
Hey! It’s the next big fad! After long hair, and nose rings, and tattoes, and devil horn implants, and gender flip-flop surgery, a tail is the next big thing on the list! Maybe with unicorn horns after that! How about long ears? Up or down?? Gotta make ourselves different than the last (and obviously out of touch) generation. Be cool, Daddy-O.
SHIVA about 2 years ago
Needs clean underwear!!!
Imagine about 2 years ago
Until the next better thing comes along.
sandpiper about 2 years ago
Never heard a tail described in that way. Good one.
Susan00100 about 2 years ago
Sometimes it does, Calvin. A hand whack or two!!
Dr. Quatermass about 2 years ago
That’s what I’m always going to say when a cute girl compliments me on my butt… which, by the way, will statistically never happen!
Its just me about 2 years ago
One does exist, it’s an inny though.
californiamonty about 2 years ago
Technically, Calvin does have a tail, as in tailbone.
Calvinist1966 about 2 years ago
But your butt needs all the help it can get Calvin. You keep getting your butt kicked.
Calvinist1966 about 2 years ago
A very human Hobbes today rather than the animalistic Hobbes of yesterday’s strip.
Watterson explains in The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book that he sees Hobbes as more animal than human and based him partly on his cat Sprite. He goes on to state in the third paragraph on Hobbes “I do not see Hobbes as a toy who miraculously comes to life when alone with Calvin. Nor do I see Hobbes as a product of Calvin’s imagination.”
As I have explained before, I originally assumed that the living Hobbes was meant to be part of Calvin’s wonderful imagination but I read my first Calvin and Hobbes collection in May 1988 and noticed that some strips show Hobbes as alive when Calvin isn’t with him. After that I kept an eye out for strips that show Hobbes without Calvin. Some strips certainly show the living Hobbes as catlike while others show him more as an enlarged version of the stuffed toy that characters other than Calvin see him as.
orinoco womble about 2 years ago
Sounds like that guy who’s obese but says he’s a perfect physical specimen.
tremaine53 about 2 years ago
Aesthetic? Oh, no my friend! A tail will help with your balance, AND give you something to chase.
jagedlo about 2 years ago
Hobbes begs to disagree, Calvin!
Zebrastripes about 2 years ago
Ok, Hobbes, that’s a no peeking zone….
A Hip loving Canadian... about 2 years ago
Hobbes literally making Calvin the butt of the joke.
Steverino Premium Member about 2 years ago
Have you heard the tail of Calvin?
uniquename about 2 years ago
But just in case you change your mind:
https://rounderbum.com
Saddenedby Premium Member about 2 years ago
I agree Hobbes – I’d like to hang around by my tail IF I had one. Gently swinging in the breeze while I read or meditate or snooze. Kinda like my hammock but much less of a nuisance to set up.
Amra Leo about 2 years ago
Tails are cool…
gantech about 2 years ago
“Mrs. Robinson, if you don’t mind my saying so, this conversation is getting a little strange.”
KEA about 2 years ago
contrary to popular belief, evolution isn’t progressing toward perfection, it’s just adapting to environment
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 2 years ago
I have to admit. We tailless creatures seem to be somewhat of a rarity among the population of earth. Where did we go wrong?
Just-me about 2 years ago
If Calvin is the pinnacle of creation, then I’m in serious trouble…
Jogger2 about 2 years ago
No tail, no stripes, no claws, and small teeth.
mistercatworks about 2 years ago
What about claws? Pretty puny excuse for claws. :)
Indianapolis Smith about 2 years ago
I have to go with Hobbes on this one…
Hey! Quit looking at my tucus!
anomaly about 2 years ago
It’s for balance when you’re running on all fours. How are you going to take down a zebra without one?
Stephen Gilberg about 2 years ago
I’ve seen a number of anthropomorphic animals with no tails. It bugs me, but I suppose the cartoonists see it as just a needless, well, detail.
willie_mctell about 2 years ago
I’ve always wanted a tail, preferably prehensile.
AndrewSihler about 2 years ago
I’ve long thought that tails would be nice, but frankly a tail made of regular skin wouldn’t cut it. Nor a tail covered with stringy chimpanzee-sy hair, either. So maybe it’s for the best. It is curious that all of our closest primate cousins are tailless. Must have been some sort of fad that was going around, eight or ten milliion years ago.
Marty241 about 2 years ago
If we had tails we would know if someone was glad to see us because they’d wag.
mindjob about 2 years ago
With tails, we could go back to swinging through trees. Perhaps we’re headed that way anyhow
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 2 years ago
This reminds me of a comment once made about the Green Bay Packers’ all-time great middle linebacker, Ray Nitschke: “Didn’t have a nickname; didn’t need one.”
g04922 about 2 years ago
LOL… Hobbes checking out Calvin. Too funny.
rshive about 2 years ago
Have you taken a poll, Calvin?
tee929 about 2 years ago
He is not a Kardashian!
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 2 years ago
‘Superiority’ is a matter of perspective.
leopardglily about 2 years ago
Nobody’s butt needs as(s)thetic enhancement, but the Kardashians do it anyways.
j.painterjones about 2 years ago
I think it is the cutest drawing, Hobbes looking for Calvin’s tail!!!!!!!!
Dreaming in Alola about 2 years ago
I like how there are a thousand different ways Hobbes could refute Calvin’s delusional statement and THAT’S the one he picks.
hagarthehorrible about 2 years ago
A six year old wirh such confidence. Hail to Calvin! Thanks for keeping us hooked on to this strip.
You'rePunny about 2 years ago
Some days I think it would be cool to have a prehensile tail, so I can grab on to things. It’d be like have a third hand. But then I think about sitting down anywhere with it and decide it’s not worth it.
BobA57 about 2 years ago
Tell that to the Kardashians.
glowing-steak32 7 months ago
I still lack three fox tails, I wanna be a half-kitsune!