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AND LET IT BE KNOWN

Calvin & Hobbes Creator Gives First Interview in Two Decades

by Robert Quigley | 11:50 am, February 1st, 2010

This. Is. Incredible. Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin & Hobbes, has granted his first interview since 1989 to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Calvin & Hobbes stopped running in newspapers in 1995, so the opportunity to reminisce may have been what brought him out of his near-Salingerian reclusion.

It’s a moving, revealing (though alas, all too short) e-mail interview:

With almost 15 years of separation and reflection, what do you think it was about “Calvin and Hobbes” that went beyond just capturing readers’ attention, but their hearts as well?

The only part I understand is what went into the creation of the strip. What readers take away from it is up to them. Once the strip is published, readers bring their own experiences to it, and the work takes on a life of its own. Everyone responds differently to different parts.

I just tried to write honestly, and I tried to make this little world fun to look at, so people would take the time to read it. That was the full extent of my concern. You mix a bunch of ingredients, and once in a great while, chemistry happens. I can’t explain why the strip caught on the way it did, and I don’t think I could ever duplicate it. A lot of things have to go right all at once.

…

How do you want people to remember that 6-year-old and his tiger?

I vote for “Calvin and Hobbes, Eighth Wonder of the World.”

It’s not that short; there are a few more questions and answers on the Cleveland Plain-Dealer‘s website.

P.S.: Bill Watterson has e-mail!?

Bill Watterson, creator of beloved ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ comic strip looks back with no regrets (Plain-Dealer)

Also, GoComics has a Calvin and Hobbes archive that’s worth checking out. Alas, non-members can’t see comics more than 14 days old.

  • Glenn Davis

    Holy eff. Unbelievable. I can’t wait to read this.

  • Primarytruth

    Bill Watterson is a great man. I thank him for his comic. It helped me to start thinking. Looking back again at the comics, there seems to be more raw, real meaning behind the absurdity being presented. There is more to love about Calvin and Hobbes than thinking about loving a stuffed tiger and a child who never ages. There is so much truth, joy, love an life which can only come from the mind of a good/great mind.
    I read his comics/books as a child, and they were/are favorite.
    People don’t make good comics as “good” as they used to.
    There is certainly no other cartoonist/writter/author like Bill.
    Bill is/was a cartoonist like no other
    I don’t want to see anymore Calvin and Hobbes. I want/desire to see another creation which could be even greater, if I were allowed to see/share/admire it.
    I want Bill to know I truly appreciate/ed reading Calvin and Hobbes. I want to tell him, but I don’t know if I can. If that’s what he wants, he has earned it from me.
    Thank you Bill. Thank you so much. Some people say, “I can’t thank you enough,” and leave it at that… I don’t. I could thank you more, but idk if you even want it.

    Alek M.

    A proud fan/reader/supporter

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