’’I’m learning real skills that I can apply throughout the rest of my life...Procrastinating and rationalizing.’’ - Calvin
Well....some might be wondering why another review on C&H when so many have already been written and that too pretty comprehensive ones.
But then I wouldn’t have been true to my profile if I didn’t have one in my name...;-)
Who are Calvin and Hobbes?
Created by Bill Waterson in 1985, Calvin is depicted as a six year old brat who is adventurous to the brink of jumping from cliffs and philosophical to the extent of
questioning his own existence on earth.Some say that he was modeled after the 17th Century french theologian, John Calvin who believed in predestination.
Hobbes is a stuffed toy tiger based upon a 17th century English philosopher, Thomas Hobbes who had a dim view of human nature. It comes alive as a product of Calvin’s over-active imagination. It is fond of tuna fish and pouncing upon Calvin when he is not looking..;-)
Their relationship is that of true friends who like to solve mysteries of life together or discuss about the useless school syllabus..!
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Calvin: I’m a genius, but I’m a misunderstood genius.
Hobbes: What’s misunderstood about you?
Calvin: Nobody thinks I’m a genius.
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Who else?
Calvin’s parents who have no name and just exist as Mom and Dad.
Bill says, ’’Any strip about how suffering ’builds character’ is usually a verbatim transcript of my dad’s explanations for why we were all freezing, exhausted, hungry and lost on camping trips. These things are a lot funnier after 25 years have passed.’’
His hilarious explanations for Calvin’s innocuous queries are great.
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Calvin: Dad, how do people make babies?
Dad: Most people just go to Sears, buy the kit, and follow the assembly instructions.
Calvin: I came from Sears??
Dad: No, you were a Blue Light Special at K Mart. Almost as good, and a lot cheaper.
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Bills quotes, ’’Calvin’s mom is the daily disciplinarian, a job that taxes her sanity, so I think we get to see her at her best. I regret that the strip mostly shows her impatient side, but I try to hint at other aspects of her personality and her interests by what she’s doing when Calvin barges in. . . .’’
Susie Derkins, the next door neighbour and class mate of Calvin. The chemistry between Susie and Calvin is that of a feigned hatred stemming from a mutual infatuation..;-) It has also lead Calvin to form a club called G.R.O.S.S. - Get Rid Of Slimy girlS , the only objective being to pain Susie whether it’s hitting her with snowballs or writing coded letters to her..;-)
Rosalyn, probably the only person Calvin is scared of. She is the babysitter of Calvin and all her sessions are full of shouting, screaming and running around the house.
Mrs. Wormwood...is the teacher of Calvin and has started smoking four packs a day since Calvin joined the class..;-)
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Calvinomania
Calvin’s wild imagination leads to some interesting characters like:
Spaceman Spiff: He usually takes form when it’s time to answer some difficult question in the class or getting punished for ransacking the house.
Stupendous Man: Comes alive when a difficult task is at hand or Susie is nearby..;-)
Captain Napalm...T-Rex ...Calvin, The Light-Bolt...the list is too long and each character is as funny as the previous one.
Calvin also has to his fame, some indigenous inventions like Transmogrifier and the Time Machine which are normally used to pass time or to save oneself from an impending task like cleaning up the room..;-)
All in all...If you have never tried C & H, give it a try. These strips are a manifestation of some unfulfilled urges of our childhood..as well as some deep insights into the mystery (read ’misery’) called Life...;-)
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Calvin: I don’t have to go to the bed now! I don’t have to do what you say!
Dad: Actually you do. It’s in you contract.
Calvin: My Contract? What contract?
Dad: OH. It’s a pretty standard pre-natal form. I had power of attorney since you were just a few cells. Paragraph Two specifies your bedtime.
(Later in the bed)
Calvin: Dad says I can renegotiate when I’m 18.
Hobbes: This 7:30 bedtime will be tough to explain to you Prom date.
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You can either choose to read the individual books like
The Revenge of the Baby-Sat
Weirdos from Another Planet
Yukon Ho!
..and eight others..
OR you can try the 4 collections which have some of the best strips of C& H.
It’s a Magical World
The Tenth Anniversay Book (was published in the fall of 1995 and rose to number one on the New York Times best-seller list. It remained on best-seller lists across the country for weeks after publication)
There’s Treasure Everywhere
..one more ...the name eludes me for the moment..;-)
Enjoi!
jockey