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30 years ago today, 18 November 1985, an unknown cartoonist named Bill Watterson got this strip published in a couple of dozen newspapers in the US.


I could post dozens and dozens of Calvin & Hobbes strips, but we'd be here all night. But I just thought the premiere of the last great newspaper comic, and one of the cleverest and most affecting serial stories I know, was worth marking. I still miss those little guys, but I still have nothing but respect for Watterson for refusing to let them become less than what they were when they were great.

Calhobinists unite!

"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy ... Lets go exploring!"

Date: 2015-11-18 08:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] petzipellepingo.livejournal.com
Although I was always fonder of Opus and company I did enjoy a good Calvin & Hobbes. They are indeed missed.

Date: 2015-11-18 08:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
I loved Bloom County et al, but ... I re-read one of the collections recently, and while a lot of it is still really good, a lot of it has aged a lot. That's what comes from commenting on current events, obviously. But C&H, IMO, are timeless.

On the other hand, Breathed has managed to reboot (https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed) Opus yet again now, and it's still really really good.

Of course, Breathed and Watterson admired (and made good-natured fun of) each other too.
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Edited Date: 2015-11-18 08:37 pm (UTC)

Date: 2015-11-18 08:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com
I'm so not a comics person, so I'd never call myself a C&H fan. And yet, whenever I've chanced on one (or more) of them, it has made me very happy.

Date: 2015-11-18 08:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
They have that effect. :)

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Date: 2015-11-18 09:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] slaymesoftly.livejournal.com
My favorite cartoons... ever. I had Calvin and Hobbes wisdom posted all over my classroom walls and door (back when I had to go to work every day).

Date: 2015-11-19 02:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
They certainly make it easier to get through some days!

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Date: 2015-11-19 02:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] slaymesoftly.livejournal.com
Amen to that!

Date: 2015-11-18 11:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] smhwpf.livejournal.com
Calvin and Hobbes are the best.

(Though as a kid/teen I was awfully fond of The Perishers too. Not sure how they'd stand up to an adult revisit.)

Date: 2015-11-19 02:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
I don't think the Perishers ever ran over here, it doesn't look familiar at least. Then again, I suppose De små rackarna i sandlådan never ran in the UK either. :)

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Date: 2015-11-19 01:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] davesmusictank.livejournal.com
I too enjoyed these cartoons.

Date: 2015-11-19 02:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
I've never met anyone who didn't!

Date: 2015-11-19 05:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cornerofmadness.livejournal.com
It's hard to believe that's 30 years ago. Still love them.

Date: 2015-11-19 02:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
I was going to post something about how it makes me feel old, but honestly, reading C&H never makes me feel old.

Date: 2015-11-19 02:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cornerofmadness.livejournal.com
excellent point

Date: 2015-11-20 12:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] draconin.livejournal.com
The world was a richer place for the existence of Calvin & Hobbes! I have all his compilation books - they occupy a place of honour in the smallest room of the house and are read regularly! :-)
As a maths teacher, one of my favourites is:


If you're interested, I found a really delightful Harry Potter/Calvin & Hobbes crossover a while back that works really well. It's called The Best Seven Years by Blu Taiger. Calvin's spent the last seven years at Hogwarts and is now faced with the task of trying to explain to Suzie where he's been... and that Hobbes is all too real. And just as annoying.

Date: 2015-11-20 02:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com
Oh yes. I like this one too:
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Damn, that fic makes me wish I knew more about HP than the basics... But thanks for the rec!

Date: 2015-11-21 03:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] relurker.livejournal.com
Calvin & Hobbes are in a way like Buffy, for they took a place in my heart. Watterson is a genius.
Celebrating is right!
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