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An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

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Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#51

Post by egypturnash »

7thaccount wrote: post #5

I grew up on Calvin and Hobbes and reread the comics every 5-10 years or so. It is sad that Watterson no longer makes these comics, but I've scratched my itch by reading "Phoebe and her Unicorn". You can read it free online I think, but my daughter and I read the paperbacks. It's not quite the same (the unicorn is real), but shares a lot in common. I just thought I'd add this for any fellow Calvin and Hobbes fans on…

When Dana got the syndication deal for Phoebe, they sent her a copy of the complete C&H. She's never been sure if it was a threat or not but she's got the distinct impression that there is a spot left in the comics pages by the absence of C&H that the syndicate wanted her to be filling.

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#52

Post by tim333 »

CrazyStat wrote: post #47
vunderba wrote: post #6

Side note, but every time I DON'T see a Hobbes plushy, a Calvin bauble head, the Calvin and Hobbes TV series, etc. I'm so thankful that Watterson grimly held onto the merchandising rights of his characters. He maintained such a high standard for his comic right unto the end. Not everything in this world needs to be commoditized to death. "But how will new generations learn about Calvin and Hobbes without Calvin and H…

I recently got that boxed set for my son’s birthday. I think I’ve spent more time reading it than he has, though I’m sure he’ll get into it eventually.

Also available online - first strip https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1985/11/18

or if you go to https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes they cycle through them daily, as I do.

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#53

Post by r9295 »

I was gifted the entire collection a couple of years ago by my father, having grown up adoring Calvin and Hobbes, mostly thanks to him. I used to re-read the few books at the local library over and over again. The Christmas strips were my favourite, because I hadn't experienced snow at the time.

The entire collection opened a window into Watterson's evolution. He became a bit more cynical as time passed. I loved it.

Reading about his respect for his work, his refusal to sell out and his restraint made so much sense. You could feel it, the way these characters came to life. The essence ever intact.

Forever changed, forever grateful

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#54

Post by selimthegrim »

whartung wrote: post #28

Meanwhile, Berke Breathed is still available, still producing, still an amazing artist. Even with a million Opus dolls, I don’t think any of it has chained him down or held him back.

Let us see what levels of Trump antagonism he will rise to

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#55

Post by lkramer »

boringg wrote: post #45
Miraste wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Watterson did get financial security and stability from the success of the comic, he wasn't distributing it for free. The point after that is where you find selling out, and that's where he drew a line.

For example i think Taylor Swift isnt a sell out, theres still more avenues to pursue merch and tour gear to achieve financial stability.

Fairly sure financial stability is not Taylor Swift's main concern...

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#56

Post by boringg »

lkramer wrote: post #55
boringg wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For example i think Taylor Swift isnt a sell out, theres still more avenues to pursue merch and tour gear to achieve financial stability.

Fairly sure financial stability is not Taylor Swift's main concern...

Im being sarcastic :)

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#57

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

Suppafly wrote: post #49
vunderba wrote: post #6

Side note, but every time I DON'T see a Hobbes plushy, a Calvin bauble head, the Calvin and Hobbes TV series, etc. I'm so thankful that Watterson grimly held onto the merchandising rights of his characters. He maintained such a high standard for his comic right unto the end. Not everything in this world needs to be commoditized to death. "But how will new generations learn about Calvin and Hobbes without Calvin and H…

>I'm so thankful that Watterson grimly held onto the merchandising rights of his characters. I'm always kind of bummed about it, instead of quality official merchandise there are a bunch of peeing calvin stickers on lifted pickup trucks.

But these are a channel of national discourse!

https://theonion.com/peeing-calvin-decals-now-recognized-as-...

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#58

Post by 7thaccount »

egypturnash wrote: post #51
7thaccount wrote: post #5

I grew up on Calvin and Hobbes and reread the comics every 5-10 years or so. It is sad that Watterson no longer makes these comics, but I've scratched my itch by reading "Phoebe and her Unicorn". You can read it free online I think, but my daughter and I read the paperbacks. It's not quite the same (the unicorn is real), but shares a lot in common. I just thought I'd add this for any fellow Calvin and Hobbes fans on…

When Dana got the syndication deal for Phoebe, they sent her a copy of the complete C&H. She's never been sure if it was a threat or not but she's got the distinct impression that there is a spot left in the comics pages by the absence of C&H that the syndicate wanted her to be filling.

I didn't know about that. Sounds like a "please continue in this area" more than anything.

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#59

Post by endemic »

khazhoux wrote: post #36
CSMastermind wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Watterson's motivation seems to be to preserve the integrity of his art. Disney's motivation seems to be to preserve their profit margins on hyper commercializing the creations of others.

Watterson is motivated by integrity, I have no doubt of that. But Disney is also motivated --at least partly-- by integrity. Yes, they want to control profits, clearly. But I have no doubts they want to preserve the integrity of their character also. > the creations of others Others? Even after Walt's death, Mickey Mouse has been overseen by a continuous line of people who care about the character's integrity.

Corporations aren't people

Re: An Interview with Bill Watterson (1987)

#60

Post by henrikschroder »

duskwuff wrote: post #21
jjulius wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'd be keen to know that, a year or two back, Watterson published his first piece of work since C&H ended. It's great - short, sweet, but great. :) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Mysteries/Bill-Wa...

There's also his 2014 cameo in Pearls before Swine : https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2014/06/04 https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2014/06/05 https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2014/06/06 And the story: https://stephanpastis.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/ever-wished-t...

"I could do better if I had more space"

"Nah, the art form is dying"

Absolutely hilarious meta-commentary!

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