’’The surest sign that intelligence exists in this universe is that they haven’t contacted us’’ - Calvin
This review is about one of my most favourite Cartoon characters, Calvin.For those who do not know him, he is a 6 year old brat who does every prank imaginable and gets immense pleasure out of it.He hates studying, he hates school, and above all he hates Girls.The other main characters in this cartoon strip are
1.Hobbes:
He is Calvin’s stuffed toy and his best friend with whom he always hangs out.He is caught by Calvin’s tiger trap in one of the first episodes written. He is the one who always listens to Calvin whenever he cribs, comforts him, plays pranks along with him....and also he welcomes Calvin daily when he comes back from school.
2.Calvin’s Dad:
This guy, along with Calvin’s mom, always find Calvin in some trouble or the other.Whenever he does not have any answer to Calvin’s questions, he gives some fairy tale answer to keep his son at bay.The strips in which he and Calvin discuss about the his popularity are one of the best.An example of a conversation:
C: Dad, Why can’t I stay up late?u guys can!!Its not fair!!
D: The world isn’t fair Calvin!!
C: Why isn’t it ever unfair in my favour??
3.Calvin’s Mom
She is the other person who has to bear the brunt of all of his pranks as she is the person, other than Hobbes with whom Calvin is most of the times.An example here:
C: when it snows, u can go sledding...when its windy u can fly kites....when its hot u can go swimming...but when its raining...sigh....the only sport is driving mom crazy!!!
4.Susie
She is Calvin’s class mate at school and they both really hate each other and Calvin’s favourite time pass is to play pranks on her.....but he somehow always ends up being the loser...
5.Miss Wormwood
She is Calvin’s teacher at school and always gets exasperated by Calvin’s remarks and pranks....and Calvin always ends up going to the principal’s room
There are quite a few other characters the most notable of them being Rosalyn the caretaker, the only person of whom Calvin is afraid...and Moe the big bully....who takes special pleasure in bullying Calvin.Calvin is not always the prankster....he is shown in some strips to be quite loving towards his parents...an example being the strip where his mom falls sick.....Calvin has many alter egos....some of them being Stupendous Man, Spaceman spiff, captain Napalm etc....He has also invented many machines like the Time machine, The Transmorgifier, The Duplicator....all these creations will have you rollin in laughter.And his strips when he answers phone calls....truly awesome....He always likes destroying everything and likes bombs and missiles...and the snow men he creates...you have to read them definitely
Calvin’s strips can be read anytime and they are a source of immense pleasure and entertainment.There are messages also passed along in some of the strips.I have had side splits, reading these strips.They are surely the best.Truly a wonderful character created by Bill Watertson....Hats off!!!If you want to improve ur mood...go to Calvin.....Thoroughly recommended..:).Some unforgettable quotes by Calvin
’’People who get nostalgic about childhood were obviously never children’’
’’Child hood is for spoiling adulthood’’
3.’’Pretty convenient everytime I build character, Dad saves a couple of hundred dollars’’