There is much to admire about Watterson, especially his indifference to the money. I strongly suspect he understood that beyond a certain point no amount of money matters. In 1990s money that was a few million. Enough you are set for life.
For those with their heads screwed on what the few million gets you is absolute freedom. And what Watterson reminds us of is how FEW people actually yearn for freedom, including those who are wealthy. To pursue money once you already have ten million or a hundred million seems crazy to some. That includes Bill Watterson. He understood what mattered, and it was because he decided for himself and did not let himself be programmed.
I’ve posted as “Calvin’s Cardboard Box” for over a decade. Watterson is in a tier with Walt Kelly (Pogo) and nobody else. Doonesbury hung around too long and was too partisan. Peanuts was elite but brought down by decades of too much Snoopy.
Watterson felt it was time to stop for his own reasons. We know for sure that his decision wasn’t because there was no more money in it, quite the opposite. That is artistic and personal integrity at a high level and is admirable. Great essay.
Outstanding work, as always! Makes me mad that we still have those stupid "Calvin Pissing on Something" stickers everywhere. Also, love to see the Sagan quote getting more mileage haha. I'm partial to Gary Larson for GOAT, but I happily concede that Watterson is just as worthy a figure. Heck, the following C&H strip is one of my favorite pieces of art of any kind... ever! I cite it faaaar more than I care to recall ;)
I have Calvin and Hobbes in book form, I love them so much. And I remember Mr Watterson refusing to sell out, and also fighting with the newspaper conglomerates on how his strip should be presented in their papers.
I also remember seeing the 'Calvin taking a leak' stickers on cars, knowing that somebody was profiting by stealing what they didn't own.
I hope Bill Watterson is happy and rich despite those fuckers.
I have heard it said, embrace life as it comes to you. As I reflect on my life I believe this applies to me. I was never strongly goal driven. Rather, this looks promising let's se what it is about. Although our two lives are different they seem the same in this regard. I also find it ironic that at least part of your work life ended up being auto industry related. In history today Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake. He had a incisive memory that many believed him to possess "magical powers". For your sake I am glad we do not live 400 years ago. Keep on keeping on.
Wow, the cruelty & depravity of two legged animals never ceases to amaze me. We’re dog lovers ourselves and our current pup was abused before we got her. She isn’t quite two & has been with us for about 18 months now but still suffers from the effects of mistreatment. She has to know at this point she’s safe with us and won’t be abused but is still skittish occasionally and is very defensive about her surroundings. God bless you for taking care of those cats. I believe one day we’ll be rewarded for it just as others will be held to account for their mistreatment.
Thank you. I love dogs, was raised with a dog and several cats. Because of physical problems I cannot have one anymore. I think they never totally forget. I’ve had that Arabian Mau since 2021 and he’s still scared. (The other one came last year, just like the girl.) But he was 7 when he came, so that works against him. Thankfully, your pup is still young. Big hug for her.
You put me to mind of Joshua Slocum, the first person to circumnavigate the world alone in a sailboat. His story is compelling. He embarked on that journey after his life fell apart & lay in ruins. He had nothing when mocking friends gave him a 'century-old oyster-fishing sloop, as a joke.' He spent several years restoring it, then set sail with an agreement with several newspapers to 'file posts' of his adventures. Thirty-eight months later he returned to notoriety & the huge publishing success of 'Sailing Alone Around the World'.
The closing paragraph from the Foreword to that book: 'In 1909 at he age of sixty-five, he set off on expedition to explore the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. He was never seen nor heard from again.'
Maybe he lived out his years alongside cats in a house in the upper reaches of the Amazon.
I was auto-subscribed... didn't meant to but now I'm not leaving! Big grin. Loved every minute and thought and digression that wasn't really a digression at all, more of a meander through some meadow of great smelling flowers and admiring the hum of bumblebees and the feeling that all is right in the Universes.
You are most welcome, regardless. My next piece is out this Sunday at 10:00a. It's another Partisan Heroes featuring Spock from Star Trek. I hope you like it.
There is much to admire about Watterson, especially his indifference to the money. I strongly suspect he understood that beyond a certain point no amount of money matters. In 1990s money that was a few million. Enough you are set for life.
For those with their heads screwed on what the few million gets you is absolute freedom. And what Watterson reminds us of is how FEW people actually yearn for freedom, including those who are wealthy. To pursue money once you already have ten million or a hundred million seems crazy to some. That includes Bill Watterson. He understood what mattered, and it was because he decided for himself and did not let himself be programmed.
Dead on, brother.
Thanks for this.
Terrific article. And yes, the first sip does get better with age
I’ve posted as “Calvin’s Cardboard Box” for over a decade. Watterson is in a tier with Walt Kelly (Pogo) and nobody else. Doonesbury hung around too long and was too partisan. Peanuts was elite but brought down by decades of too much Snoopy.
There’s something to be said for leaving on top.
Otherwise you get Garfield.
Big oof.
Like Led Zeppelin and Seinfeld.
“Stairway to Newman”
Many days there is no higher calling than to please a cat. If you can do that, you can do anything!
Watterson felt it was time to stop for his own reasons. We know for sure that his decision wasn’t because there was no more money in it, quite the opposite. That is artistic and personal integrity at a high level and is admirable. Great essay.
Outstanding work, as always! Makes me mad that we still have those stupid "Calvin Pissing on Something" stickers everywhere. Also, love to see the Sagan quote getting more mileage haha. I'm partial to Gary Larson for GOAT, but I happily concede that Watterson is just as worthy a figure. Heck, the following C&H strip is one of my favorite pieces of art of any kind... ever! I cite it faaaar more than I care to recall ;)
https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/545357836123128452/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id=&_url=https://www.pinterest.com.mx/amp/pin/545357836123128452/&from_amp_pin_page=true
When we can understand what is “enough”, then maybe, just maybe we will start to understand our paths…
“Bill made the best comic ever.”
The End. 🏆
I have Calvin and Hobbes in book form, I love them so much. And I remember Mr Watterson refusing to sell out, and also fighting with the newspaper conglomerates on how his strip should be presented in their papers.
I also remember seeing the 'Calvin taking a leak' stickers on cars, knowing that somebody was profiting by stealing what they didn't own.
I hope Bill Watterson is happy and rich despite those fuckers.
I have heard it said, embrace life as it comes to you. As I reflect on my life I believe this applies to me. I was never strongly goal driven. Rather, this looks promising let's se what it is about. Although our two lives are different they seem the same in this regard. I also find it ironic that at least part of your work life ended up being auto industry related. In history today Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake. He had a incisive memory that many believed him to possess "magical powers". For your sake I am glad we do not live 400 years ago. Keep on keeping on.
Great read. Calvin and Hobbes was my go-to book every night while I was told to go to bed. I couldn't put it down.
I loved Calvin and Hobbes as a kid and I love it as an adult. I'll have to check out The Mysteries because I did not know it existed till now.
Imagine what it’s like to have one big cat sleeping behind your feet, and an even bigger cat on your pillow…aiming to please both. But it’s worth it
That's the kind of thing Susie Derkins would say 🤨
I haven’t the foggiest who that is.
Only talking about my 2 Arabian Mau rescues, both so abused on the street that being near me is a huge step in trust
Susie Derkins is the little girl in the strip. Calvin’s nemesis!
Ah! Sorry, I didn’t know. Haven’t seen much of those strips here I’m afraid.
All good. I’m assigning you homework tho.
Accepted!
Wow, the cruelty & depravity of two legged animals never ceases to amaze me. We’re dog lovers ourselves and our current pup was abused before we got her. She isn’t quite two & has been with us for about 18 months now but still suffers from the effects of mistreatment. She has to know at this point she’s safe with us and won’t be abused but is still skittish occasionally and is very defensive about her surroundings. God bless you for taking care of those cats. I believe one day we’ll be rewarded for it just as others will be held to account for their mistreatment.
Thank you. I love dogs, was raised with a dog and several cats. Because of physical problems I cannot have one anymore. I think they never totally forget. I’ve had that Arabian Mau since 2021 and he’s still scared. (The other one came last year, just like the girl.) But he was 7 when he came, so that works against him. Thankfully, your pup is still young. Big hug for her.
There’s a special place in hell for animal abusers.
I sure hope so. One is still so scared of other people that he flees in panic if anyone comes close to the kitchen window, or when I turn on the tap.
My Bengal-mix girl was kicked in the stomach as a stray, lost her kittens.
A good model
You put me to mind of Joshua Slocum, the first person to circumnavigate the world alone in a sailboat. His story is compelling. He embarked on that journey after his life fell apart & lay in ruins. He had nothing when mocking friends gave him a 'century-old oyster-fishing sloop, as a joke.' He spent several years restoring it, then set sail with an agreement with several newspapers to 'file posts' of his adventures. Thirty-eight months later he returned to notoriety & the huge publishing success of 'Sailing Alone Around the World'.
The closing paragraph from the Foreword to that book: 'In 1909 at he age of sixty-five, he set off on expedition to explore the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. He was never seen nor heard from again.'
Maybe he lived out his years alongside cats in a house in the upper reaches of the Amazon.
I was auto-subscribed... didn't meant to but now I'm not leaving! Big grin. Loved every minute and thought and digression that wasn't really a digression at all, more of a meander through some meadow of great smelling flowers and admiring the hum of bumblebees and the feeling that all is right in the Universes.
Odd! I wonder how that happened.
You are most welcome, regardless. My next piece is out this Sunday at 10:00a. It's another Partisan Heroes featuring Spock from Star Trek. I hope you like it.
I have no doubt I'll like it. Substack seems to now be auto-subscribing folks to recommended substacks. They got this one right.
How interesting! Thanks for that info.