Always admired Watterson’s ability to extract myriad facial expressions out of Calvin that communicate just the right emotion or feeling that the situation demands. And he’s able to do it with two dots, a line or small oval and a little hairpin shaped nose. (This is somewhat more applicable to yesterday’s strip which I just got caught up on.)
I’m actually like Calvin in a way: I’d rather have an imaginary friend whether from a fictional show or just plain made up. It works out so well for Calvin. Honestly, I can barely stand almost my whole family, including relatives.
That reminds me of a quote from Harvey Pekar’s comic American Splendor’s:
‘Friendliness is not one of the first things I look for in a friend. The most important things are honesty an’ reliability. Gimmie a sour-faced buddy who returns phone calls, shows up when he’s supposed to, an’ pays his debts when they’re due.’
My Dad did not have many friends because he did not easily tolerate fools. His standards were high and he passed that onto my brother and I. Later, my brother and I will be eating apples off the trees in our orchards. Life is Good!
Sadly, this particular strip really hits home; it echos my own childhood. And it is why I still have my original teddy bear, albeit packed safely away in an antique cedar chest.
Then when you find the one person who is willing to accept you as you are, you call her a gross slimy girl and hit her with slushballs, steal her dolls and exclude her from your life… so you have to rely on an imaginary / dimensional rift (whatever) friend to fill the space. And you eve fight with him on a daily basis.
Yeah, not getting much sympathy here, Calvin. You’re just not the sharpest knife in the drawer. ; )
Despite that, someday you are likely to outgrow this stage, come to appreciate Suzy, get married (if she hasn’t outgrown you by then), and have a kid just like you so you can play the part of your father and deal with the little common-sense-challenged brat on a daily basis. Yes, yes… in short you are doomed… just like the rest of us. ; )
BE THIS GUY over 5 years ago
Calvin has to learn the art of appreciation.
Templo S.U.D. over 5 years ago
yeah, Calvin does not have very many human friends
jmworacle over 5 years ago
Wise words to follow….
Watcher over 5 years ago
Calvin, you have the one and only friend you will ever need sitting right next to you.
weatherford.joe over 5 years ago
I’ve applied this to my life.
gbars70 over 5 years ago
Always admired Watterson’s ability to extract myriad facial expressions out of Calvin that communicate just the right emotion or feeling that the situation demands. And he’s able to do it with two dots, a line or small oval and a little hairpin shaped nose. (This is somewhat more applicable to yesterday’s strip which I just got caught up on.)
codycab over 5 years ago
I’m actually like Calvin in a way: I’d rather have an imaginary friend whether from a fictional show or just plain made up. It works out so well for Calvin. Honestly, I can barely stand almost my whole family, including relatives.
Goat over 5 years ago
That reminds me of a quote from Harvey Pekar’s comic American Splendor’s:
‘Friendliness is not one of the first things I look for in a friend. The most important things are honesty an’ reliability. Gimmie a sour-faced buddy who returns phone calls, shows up when he’s supposed to, an’ pays his debts when they’re due.’
ariel777000 over 5 years ago
I think most people want friends. The bible says that a man who wants friends should show himself friendly. Such wisdom. To get a friend, be a friend.
Egrayjames over 5 years ago
My Dad did not have many friends because he did not easily tolerate fools. His standards were high and he passed that onto my brother and I. Later, my brother and I will be eating apples off the trees in our orchards. Life is Good!
jpayne4040 over 5 years ago
However, when you find that one great friend it’s totally worth it!
cubswin2016 over 5 years ago
You meet a lot of jerks when you yourself are a jerk.
DanFlak over 5 years ago
I have found that for some people, the most important part of my body is my ear.
The Pro from Dover over 5 years ago
I agree with Calvin in P4.
formathe over 5 years ago
I have lots of friends since I bought my pickup truck.
rentier over 5 years ago
It’s good to have such a friend like Hobbes, you are never alone and always in best hands!!
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Yeah, getting punched on the playground, or in a bar, makes us think about or friends and wish for either a few more, or bigger ones.
WCraft Premium Member over 5 years ago
…and if you can have an apple wrapped in caramel, then you’re really lucky!
mizdurble over 5 years ago
Lovely artwork, especially in the last panel.
drds2 over 5 years ago
Poor Hobbes – obviously fishing for a compliment, and Calvin totally doesn’t get it!
David_J Premium Member over 5 years ago
Sadly, this particular strip really hits home; it echos my own childhood. And it is why I still have my original teddy bear, albeit packed safely away in an antique cedar chest.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 5 years ago
Is it weird to remember that Hobbes is an imaginary friend?
Karptaz over 5 years ago
I would rather have a bunch of friends like Hobbes than having to deal with most humans
hantms over 5 years ago
Dammit, it’s one of those weekend ones that makes me cry.
Snoots over 5 years ago
Then when you find the one person who is willing to accept you as you are, you call her a gross slimy girl and hit her with slushballs, steal her dolls and exclude her from your life… so you have to rely on an imaginary / dimensional rift (whatever) friend to fill the space. And you eve fight with him on a daily basis.
Yeah, not getting much sympathy here, Calvin. You’re just not the sharpest knife in the drawer. ; )
Despite that, someday you are likely to outgrow this stage, come to appreciate Suzy, get married (if she hasn’t outgrown you by then), and have a kid just like you so you can play the part of your father and deal with the little common-sense-challenged brat on a daily basis. Yes, yes… in short you are doomed… just like the rest of us. ; )
Red33410 about 5 years ago
Tough luck, Hobbes! Imaginary, stuffed tigers <> little boys.
Red33410 about 5 years ago
An anagram of “meddlesome moron” is “more demon models.”
Red33410 almost 5 years ago
“If you just can get most people to ignore you, you’re doing well.”
Red33410 over 4 years ago
An anagram of “professional sports” is “Fool ass on strippers.”