I went to borders today, and it was my luck to have stumbled upon a copy "the Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book" in the bargain bin. So naturally I bought it. Before the comics, there's a bit of a foreword by the author, Bill Watterson.
It was a few pages where he talked about various things, relating to comics, and Calvin and Hobbes, and other related views in general. He talked aobut how comics nowadays have changed in the hundred years or so of their existence, from being merely a way to help sell newspapers to being a form of art and expression in their own right. He talked about the almost ironic change that accompanied this, of newspapers cutting off parts of comics or greatly reducing the sizes so as to cram as many as they can into as small a space as they can, ironic since the comics are perhaps the only thing that had really set newspapers apart, and makes them unique, at least when compared to television at that time as a way of getting news.
He talked about his working to keep his comics from becoming comercialized, and in doing so cheapened. It was particularly powerful to read, how instead of cash in on his success as so many have or would have done he instead fought to keep his work his, and not allow his artistic vision to be sold or in any way cheapened by the greed of others.
It was really admirable, to read. And there is no possible way for me to do his words justice I can only say to read them yourselves.
But having read them it reminded me just a little bit of why I love his comics as much as I do, long after I've grown bored with Garfield which I had loved as a child, or any of the other nameless newspaper comics whose names I've long since forgotten. There's something about Calvin and Hobbes, that really speaks to me, whether it's the timeless laughs, or the deep themes that I face at times in my own life. There's something wonderfully magical about it, that feeling that in here, there's something for me, in this the wonderful crazy mixed up world we live in, there's something that I can relate to, and it makes my life a little bit nicer for having read it.
While some might say that reading comics are a waste of time, I can't help but disagree, there's a lot to be learned and experienced from them if only you look at them with an open mind.
So with that, I'd like to share with you few strips that I found to be especially meaningful:
the first 2 where part of a story arc about a racoon, Calvin found, I'll not clutter up the post with all of them, but if you go here you'll find the others (as well as a few more very good strips) the second is unrelated to the others, but meaningful nonetheless (found in the same place).
I hope you enjoyed these comics and their message just a little bit. I know I have.
Now if you'll excuse me, there's a whole books worth of these for me to finish, along with their ensuing commentary by the author, so until next time.
Also speaking of comic collections, there's an xkcd book out, you can order it here. The profits of course go to help support this amazing comic, as well as help to build a school in laos. I'm sure it goes without saying that I've already ordered my copy.
No comments:
Post a Comment