Comments on: 365 Reasons to Love Comics #214 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:18:39 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jared http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-581635 Jared Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:34:12 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-581635 This is something I never understood about Bill Watterson-he goes on at length about the problems of newspaper comics, and mentions once or twice that he could have gotten more freedom AND more money by ditching newspapers altogether and publishing in book form. So, I wonder-why didn't he do that? Why didn't he just publish in book form, where he could have drawn longer stories like "A Nauseous Nocturne" to his heart's content? He could have done anything he liked, and even if he didn't particularly care how much money he made, the additional financial gravy couldn't have hurt. So, if he had so many griefs with newspapers, just why did he stick with them and finally hang up his pen for good? This is something I never understood about Bill Watterson-he goes on at length about the problems of newspaper comics, and mentions once or twice that he could have gotten more freedom AND more money by ditching newspapers altogether and publishing in book form.

So, I wonder-why didn't he do that? Why didn't he just publish in book form, where he could have drawn longer stories like "A Nauseous Nocturne" to his heart's content? He could have done anything he liked, and even if he didn't particularly care how much money he made, the additional financial gravy couldn't have hurt.

So, if he had so many griefs with newspapers, just why did he stick with them and finally hang up his pen for good?

]]> By: Ryan Felton http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147878 Ryan Felton Sat, 04 Aug 2007 02:02:56 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147878 "Calvin & Hobbes," quite literally, changed my life! I discovered it at age 6, and from that moment on sequential art and writing were my thing. One of my most prized possessions is the Complete Collection. I see that many people agree with me when I say that Bill Watterson made the world a little better with his comic strip. "Calvin & Hobbes," quite literally, changed my life! I discovered it at age 6, and from that moment on sequential art and writing were my thing.

One of my most prized possessions is the Complete Collection. I see that many people agree with me when I say that Bill Watterson made the world a little better with his comic strip.

]]> By: Patent Dragon http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147759 Patent Dragon Fri, 03 Aug 2007 22:17:06 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147759 I got the collected books for birthdays and Christmases, and now I think I pretty much have the full set. Absolute joy. Must agree with the "know when to end it" sentiment. A brave thing to do with Calvin and Hobbes, but the right thing. I got the collected books for birthdays and Christmases, and now I think I pretty much have the full set. Absolute joy.

Must agree with the "know when to end it" sentiment. A brave thing to do with Calvin and Hobbes, but the right thing.

]]> By: Richard J. Marcej http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147646 Richard J. Marcej Fri, 03 Aug 2007 19:10:50 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147646 If there's one thing that I wish all creators of entertainment in America would learn from Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes... (and that covers comic strips, comic books, TV shows, Movies and character driven fictional novels) ...know when to end it. Don't overstay your time and wind up beating a dead horse. Leave 'em wanting more! If there's one thing that I wish all creators of entertainment in America would learn from Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes...

(and that covers comic strips, comic books, TV shows, Movies and character driven fictional novels)

...know when to end it.
Don't overstay your time and wind up beating a dead horse.

Leave 'em wanting more!

]]> By: Daly http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147627 Daly Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:38:24 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147627 I had a friend that despised religous calvin stickers on the back of cars. A calvin stickers should be made saying "calvin was agnostic." I had a friend that despised religous calvin stickers on the back of cars. A calvin stickers should be made saying "calvin was agnostic."

]]> By: Scavenger http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147529 Scavenger Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:12:06 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147529 Things like Watchmen, Maus, much of Eisner's work had been out for quite some time when Waterson made his comments. Don't assume he's talking about X-Men. Things like Watchmen, Maus, much of Eisner's work had been out for quite some time when Waterson made his comments. Don't assume he's talking about X-Men.

]]> By: Mullon http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147527 Mullon Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:10:04 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147527 I have loved Calvin and Hobbes since the second grade and I will go to my grave defending it as the greatest comic of all time. I have loved Calvin and Hobbes since the second grade and I will go to my grave defending it as the greatest comic of all time.

]]> By: Paul King http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147512 Paul King Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:52:27 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147512 on 03 Aug 2007 at 5:25 am 15.km said … The official reason Watterson gave is that he felt he’d covered all the possibilities inherent in the format - which, yeah, is probably ‘getting repetitive’ with his self-esteem intact. Every domestic-based strip, no matter how imaginative, eventually falls prey… …now, if only Lynn Johnston of ‘For Better or For Worse’ has realised the same thing about five years ago. Or if only the guy who writes "Family Circus" realised it about 25 years ago. on 03 Aug 2007 at 5:25 am 15.km said …

The official reason Watterson gave is that he felt he’d covered all the possibilities inherent in the format - which, yeah, is probably ‘getting repetitive’ with his self-esteem intact. Every domestic-based strip, no matter how imaginative, eventually falls prey…

…now, if only Lynn Johnston of ‘For Better or For Worse’ has realised the same thing about five years ago.

Or if only the guy who writes "Family Circus" realised it about 25 years ago.

]]> By: Anthony Strand http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147498 Anthony Strand Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:15:57 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147498 It's true that Watterson expanded the possibilities of the Sunday comic strip. Too bad absolutely no one has followed his lead though. Also, I agree that Watterson is incredibly pretentious. Reading the 10th Anniversary book, you get the feeling that he really believes he's the only person in the world who understands how important newspaper comics are. I think he's an amazing writer and artist, and I'm a huge fan, but still - he's a crazy person. It's true that Watterson expanded the possibilities of the Sunday comic strip. Too bad absolutely no one has followed his lead though.

Also, I agree that Watterson is incredibly pretentious. Reading the 10th Anniversary book, you get the feeling that he really believes he's the only person in the world who understands how important newspaper comics are. I think he's an amazing writer and artist, and I'm a huge fan, but still - he's a crazy person.

]]> By: h3yd http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147480 h3yd Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:45:34 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147480 Oh, I agree, I think Erik Larsen was just reading too much into it...perhaps the fact that the comics that Bill was trying to insult were a few that Erik had a large part in. You have to remember, Bill Watterson retired in 1995. Anyone remember what most comics were like back in those halcyon days? Ah, yes, the 90's...I think Wolverine was still sans adamantium in those days, and being depicted as anything between a normalish guy that's just a bit angry, and some kind of half-retarded ape-thing. Remember that? So, yeah...I can see the point. Plus, most people that form an opinion based on the mainstream pap that's readily available never read the actual *good* comics. Basically comes down to: if you hear 25 crappy emo bands, why would you give another emo band you haven't heard a chance? Unfortunately, this leads to people missing out on great things like WE3 and Circa Survive. I vow to all: when I am made king of the world, such idiocies will be abolished. Along with Good Charlotte. Oh, I agree, I think Erik Larsen was just reading too much into it...perhaps the fact that the comics that Bill was trying to insult were a few that Erik had a large part in. You have to remember, Bill Watterson retired in 1995. Anyone remember what most comics were like back in those halcyon days? Ah, yes, the 90's...I think Wolverine was still sans adamantium in those days, and being depicted as anything between a normalish guy that's just a bit angry, and some kind of half-retarded ape-thing. Remember that? So, yeah...I can see the point. Plus, most people that form an opinion based on the mainstream pap that's readily available never read the actual *good* comics. Basically comes down to: if you hear 25 crappy emo bands, why would you give another emo band you haven't heard a chance? Unfortunately, this leads to people missing out on great things like WE3 and Circa Survive. I vow to all: when I am made king of the world, such idiocies will be abolished. Along with Good Charlotte.

]]> By: Black Lutefisk http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147476 Black Lutefisk Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:40:04 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147476 I had received the complete edition of C&H last year, and my 9-year daughter immediately adopted it. I was thrilled to pass on something that was so righteous to me when I was a kid. But they were also the first books she treated with reverence. I'm very grateful to have that with her. Thank you Bill, and thank you Bill. I had received the complete edition of C&H last year, and my 9-year daughter immediately adopted it. I was thrilled to pass on something that was so righteous to me when I was a kid. But they were also the first books she treated with reverence. I'm very grateful to have that with her.

Thank you Bill, and thank you Bill.

]]> By: km http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147468 km Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:27:08 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147468 There's also the famous strip in which Hobbes enquires, roughly, 'Is Atomic Girl's power the ability to squeeze into that suit?' and Calvin's response is 'Nahhh, they can all do that.' Yeah, Watterson has a mile-wide pretentious streak of his own - as he sees it he's defending the comic medium as an art form (among his own heroes is George Herriman). Can't really see where that statement 'doesn't allow for any wiggle room', though. From the context here and elsewhere, he's talking about mainstream superhero comics...which, let's face it, by and large *are* incredibly stupid. There's also the famous strip in which Hobbes enquires, roughly, 'Is Atomic Girl's power the ability to squeeze into that suit?' and Calvin's response is 'Nahhh, they can all do that.'

Yeah, Watterson has a mile-wide pretentious streak of his own - as he sees it he's defending the comic medium as an art form (among his own heroes is George Herriman).

Can't really see where that statement 'doesn't allow for any wiggle room', though. From the context here and elsewhere, he's talking about mainstream superhero comics...which, let's face it, by and large *are* incredibly stupid.

]]> By: h3yd http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147458 h3yd Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:12:03 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147458 Totally forgot about this little quote from Bill...found this while looking to see what Watterson had been up to (also found out he only lives like 25 miles from me!)... Posted by Erik Larsen (Member # 7781) on 07-19-2007 10:39 PM: Bill Watterson: "You can make your superhero a psychopath, you can draw gut-splattering violence, and you can call it a "graphic novel," but comic books are still incredibly stupid." The sad thing about this statement is--there's no wiggle room. He doesn't allow for any exceptions. 70+ years of comics and not one worthwhile in Bill Watterson's mind. Sigh. Totally forgot about this little quote from Bill...found this while looking to see what Watterson had been up to (also found out he only lives like 25 miles from me!)...

Posted by Erik Larsen (Member # 7781) on 07-19-2007 10:39 PM:

Bill Watterson: "You can make your superhero a psychopath, you can draw gut-splattering violence, and you can call it a "graphic novel," but comic books are still incredibly stupid."

The sad thing about this statement is--there's no wiggle room. He doesn't allow for any exceptions. 70+ years of comics and not one worthwhile in Bill Watterson's mind.

Sigh.

]]> By: Joshua Strasburg http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147423 Joshua Strasburg Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:14:16 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147423 Over the past 2 years or so, I've been slowly reading my way through the entire Calvin and Hobbes collection. I couldn't afford the massive hardcover tome, though, so I hunted down all the paperback collections instead, plus the Tenth Anniversary Book and the Lazy Sunday Book. I'm currently reading the last of the regular collections ("It's a Magical World") and although I'm anxious to finish what I started, I'm sad to know that it will end (again). I read the last C&H strip in the newspaper the day it was published and cut it out to hang on my wall. I'm almost dreading reading it again .... Over the past 2 years or so, I've been slowly reading my way through the entire Calvin and Hobbes collection. I couldn't afford the massive hardcover tome, though, so I hunted down all the paperback collections instead, plus the Tenth Anniversary Book and the Lazy Sunday Book. I'm currently reading the last of the regular collections ("It's a Magical World") and although I'm anxious to finish what I started, I'm sad to know that it will end (again). I read the last C&H strip in the newspaper the day it was published and cut it out to hang on my wall. I'm almost dreading reading it again ....

]]> By: km http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147388 km Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:25:49 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147388 The official reason Watterson gave is that he felt he'd covered all the possibilities inherent in the format - which, yeah, is probably 'getting repetitive' with his self-esteem intact. Every domestic-based strip, no matter how imaginative, eventually falls prey... ...now, if only Lynn Johnston of 'For Better or For Worse' has realised the same thing about five years ago. The official reason Watterson gave is that he felt he'd covered all the possibilities inherent in the format - which, yeah, is probably 'getting repetitive' with his self-esteem intact. Every domestic-based strip, no matter how imaginative, eventually falls prey...

...now, if only Lynn Johnston of 'For Better or For Worse' has realised the same thing about five years ago.

]]> By: John Seavey http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147371 John Seavey Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:10:11 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147371 I actually think that "ended before it went stale" is a tiny wee bit off...I thought he realized that it was getting a bit repetitive, and ended it then (which implies that it was just a little bit stale towards the end)... ...but compared to 'Dennis the Menace' or 'Blondie', even the most repetitive 'Calvin and Hobbes' strips seem brand-new, and the series as a whole is, of course, wonderful. I actually think that "ended before it went stale" is a tiny wee bit off...I thought he realized that it was getting a bit repetitive, and ended it then (which implies that it was just a little bit stale towards the end)...

...but compared to 'Dennis the Menace' or 'Blondie', even the most repetitive 'Calvin and Hobbes' strips seem brand-new, and the series as a whole is, of course, wonderful.

]]> By: Danny Wind http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147222 Danny Wind Fri, 03 Aug 2007 07:32:27 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147222 Kind of a shame to use that Spaceman Spiff strip at the top, since it was before Watterson had fully established the strip's characterizations: in later years, Susie would *never* ask Calvin for help on a test. Kind of a shame to use that Spaceman Spiff strip at the top, since it was before Watterson had fully established the strip's characterizations: in later years, Susie would *never* ask Calvin for help on a test.

]]> By: MarkAndrew http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147175 MarkAndrew Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:54:34 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147175 "I notice that you're oeuvre is monochromatic." HA! "I notice that you're oeuvre is monochromatic."

HA!

]]> By: Alejandro http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147151 Alejandro Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:23:38 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147151 One of the best strips ever! This and Mafalda by Quino are really great. One of the best strips ever!

This and Mafalda by Quino are really great.

]]> By: Flush it all away http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/comment-page-1/#comment-147121 Flush it all away Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:36:21 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/02/365-reasons-to-love-comics-214/#comment-147121 I just loved, loved, loved Calvin & Hobbes. I was so sad when Watterson walked away from it. I've got the last strip framed and hanging in my office. I just loved, loved, loved Calvin & Hobbes. I was so sad when Watterson walked away from it. I've got the last strip framed and hanging in my office.

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