Now for Hobbes.
I have only one memory of reading Calvin and Hobbes in the paper when I was a kid. It was a Sunday comic and Calvin was imagining dinosaurs. I’ve read, in the tenth anniversay I believe, that Bill Watterson stopped drawing dinosaurs for a while when Jurassic Park was released. That must make the year 1992 to early 1993. This seems accurate because that’s when I was in fifth grade and discovered Calvin and Hobbes thanks to my teacher Miss Harlan. She had the Lazy Sunday Collection which I was allowed to borrow and I recall being very excited about the cover. I also recall her saying I had to bring it back. But it’s on my shelf right now and it’s got her name on the cover which is probably the only reason I remember it. I feel bad about not giving it back as I didn’t steal it on purpose but I’m also glad as it’s a direct connection to the moment when I first fell in love with this wonderful world. I’ve come to realize that Calvin and Hobbes is one of the few creations that has become a ‘safe world’ to me. Meaning that when I read or think about it I feel comfortable in my heart and content in my existence. It’s a place where I love absolutely every single thing in it. So I’m eternally grateful to Bill Watterson for his fantastic efforts in creating ten years of work and offering it to me and anybody else who appreciates it. And grateful to Miss Harlan for… letting me borrow her book for such a long time.
I can’t say how glad I am that you’re doing this. Calvin and Hobbes influenced me (not just comically but philosophically) in ways that could not be achieved any other way. In short, this is holy ground, and I’m sure you fully realize that, but I cannot think of anyone else better to tread hereupon. Thank you and keep going!
Thanks for the show of faith! I was very excited to draw Calvin and Hobbes but I thought for other people it might not be that impressive and therefore uninteresting. I’m really glad there are people like you out there Joe who approach everything in such a wonderful way.