When today’s strip was last reprinted four years ago – the thirtieth anniversary of its first appearance in 1990 – I commented that it reminded me of Cole Sears’s anecdote to Dr Crowe in The Sixth Sense. Cole enjoyed drawing rainbows. Dr Crowe asked him why. Cole explained that he started drawing rainbows after he drew a picture of a man with a screwdriver through his head. He explained to Dr Crowe, “After that I just drew rainbows. They don’t have parent-teacher conferences over rainbows.”
It’s these arc’s I don’t get, if I was a teacher and I had a kid this creative, I’d encourage him/her not deter him/her, Hollywood would love someone like this…LOL
That is sort of scary and concerning. Is that Calvin sees himself? How does he see others around him? Will he pose a future threat to himself and others around him??
Are we supposed to understand what she’s described as a sign that Calvin’s a problem child? Really, his creativity and sense of humor are two of his best assets. Calvin does have his problems—the sight of Susie reeling from his casual cruelty in last Sunday’s strip was heartbreaking—but the idea that we’re supposed to be horrified by a little harmless fun like that which we see here is too much.
No surprises here! Kids with a lot of imagination struggle for a lot of reasons and are a load for parents and teachers alike. If my folks were still with us, I’m sure they’d whole heartedly agree ! ;-) .
All of the great cartoonists from Mad Magazine are now gone or going, sort of like the magazine. Calvin might have been the next gen artist, if this strip hadn’t been retired years ago. The Beaver once asked Wally when life became so complicated. He replied: “I think it’s when the Yankees traded Roger Maris.” I am having a nostalgia attack.
dadthedawg Premium Member 2 months ago
The beginning of an art career…..
codycab 2 months ago
Calvin drew the truth. His truth.
Jonfield 2 months ago
Yup, that’s Calvin alright
Sugar Bombs 95 2 months ago
Kinda sucks that no one appreciates Calvin’s creativity.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover 2 months ago
Hopefully creativity was one of the requirements for that assignment.
C 2 months ago
Aye yi yi
charliefarmrhere 2 months ago
Calvin was smart enough to pack up the suitcase and leave.
snsurone76 2 months ago
Er… wasn’t that supposed to be a portrait of Susie??
Bilan 2 months ago
A drawing of Spaceman Spiff would’ve been much better.
eromlig 2 months ago
Was it a Purple People Eater?
Jayalexander 2 months ago
My kinda’ guy.
BJDucer 2 months ago
From Calvin’s mom’s comment in the last panel, I’m betting Calvin’s dad now wishes to withdraw his inquiry of how the meeting went.
rasputin's horoscope 2 months ago
Mom recognized Calvin from his artwork, didn’t she? Mission accomplished.
Calvinist1966 2 months ago
When today’s strip was last reprinted four years ago – the thirtieth anniversary of its first appearance in 1990 – I commented that it reminded me of Cole Sears’s anecdote to Dr Crowe in The Sixth Sense. Cole enjoyed drawing rainbows. Dr Crowe asked him why. Cole explained that he started drawing rainbows after he drew a picture of a man with a screwdriver through his head. He explained to Dr Crowe, “After that I just drew rainbows. They don’t have parent-teacher conferences over rainbows.”
BigDaveGlass 2 months ago
The green bogie eater doesn’t roll off the tongue like the Purple People Eater does…..
jimelmo 2 months ago
hobbes is a pookah
nsr60 2 months ago
Miss Wormwood told her there’s no Charles in the class.
MS72 2 months ago
“Pick nose!”
MRBLUESKY529 2 months ago
Why didn’t Dad go?
Gent 2 months ago
Downhill? That the most creative kid in that steenky school. Gives him a award already.
SquidGamerGal 2 months ago
Hoo-boy… I bet she’s not liking how many times Calvin was sent to the principal office ON THE FIRST DAY!!
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member 2 months ago
You cannot tell me he was the only six-year-old boy in an American public school class who sees himself that way.
rockyridge1977 2 months ago
Always thinking outside the box!!!!!!
sandpiper 2 months ago
OK, Dad. Time for aspirin and water followed by a nice cup of tea. Mom needs a little love.
Huckleberry Hiroshima 2 months ago
Calvin and Hobbes should be in Borneo by now.
baskate_2000 2 months ago
Calvin, on the nose!
elvira.alejandro 2 months ago
The relief of no having Kids.
Vgrift85 2 months ago
Ohhhh, Calvin Calvin.
Angry Indeed Premium Member 2 months ago
“These are the times that try parents’ souls” – not attributed Thomas Payne
Count Olaf Premium Member 2 months ago
But she recognized him… : )
royq27 2 months ago
They are living in a simulation (or a comic strip) and only Calvin knows that is what he really looks like!
dwdl21 2 months ago
It’s these arc’s I don’t get, if I was a teacher and I had a kid this creative, I’d encourage him/her not deter him/her, Hollywood would love someone like this…LOL
rshive 2 months ago
Mom knows Calvin well. But she got more details.
g04922 2 months ago
That is sort of scary and concerning. Is that Calvin sees himself? How does he see others around him? Will he pose a future threat to himself and others around him??
fritzoid Premium Member 2 months ago
Calvin tried to use generative A.I. to do his picture. Always looking for a shortcut…
mindjob 2 months ago
She’s lucky Calvin was in a good mood when he drew that portrait. Hate to see what he would have drawn if he was having a bad day
swanridge 2 months ago
Now would be a good time to discuss having another child.
John Jorgensen 2 months ago
Are we supposed to understand what she’s described as a sign that Calvin’s a problem child? Really, his creativity and sense of humor are two of his best assets. Calvin does have his problems—the sight of Susie reeling from his casual cruelty in last Sunday’s strip was heartbreaking—but the idea that we’re supposed to be horrified by a little harmless fun like that which we see here is too much.
jim_pem 2 months ago
We all know Calvin has a great imagination. It sounds like he’s going to eventually be saving up for some pretty crazy body modifications:
Dye hair green
Green whole-body tattoo
Eye implants
Nose gauges
Filed teeth…
Robert- 50d99b] 2 months ago
The beginnings of another great author, J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen King or some author like that. Maybe Heinlein, Asimov or Le Guin.
locake 2 months ago
That was not a meeting with the teacher, that was the open house they have at the beginning of the year. Other parents were there.
Old27F20 2 months ago
I got a question. What’s Calvin’s mom and dad’s their family name? I know about Susie Dinkis but mom and dad?
bunrabbit99 2 months ago
but she knew immediately that it was calvin right? success!
anomaly 2 months ago
So it was a portrait of his inner self.
lnrokr55 2 months ago
No surprises here! Kids with a lot of imagination struggle for a lot of reasons and are a load for parents and teachers alike. If my folks were still with us, I’m sure they’d whole heartedly agree ! ;-) .
EMGULS79 2 months ago
At least she had no difficulty at all identifying her son’s desk.
Arghhgarrr Premium Member 2 months ago
I have always said that Calvin will grow up to be a great sci-fi and fantasy filmmaker.
elgrecousa Premium Member 2 months ago
I’m just wondering how close Calvin is to wiping out the motherly instinct from his mother.
Frank Farkel Premium Member 2 months ago
All of the great cartoonists from Mad Magazine are now gone or going, sort of like the magazine. Calvin might have been the next gen artist, if this strip hadn’t been retired years ago. The Beaver once asked Wally when life became so complicated. He replied: “I think it’s when the Yankees traded Roger Maris.” I am having a nostalgia attack.