And once again I call attention to Watterson’s artistry. He brilliantly recreates, and slightly satirizes, the moody lighting effects of film noir. And look at the second panel! The hat is white, the smoke is white, but the face blends into the shadow.
Calvin has to be absolutely TINY to be able to sit like that in those old school desks… we had those in my day (unlike kids today, who get tables and chairs), and they were hard… :-P
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
The dame was only willing to 75 percent of what Tracer asked. How much was dame willing to pay?
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
What would “expenses” entail, detective Bullet?
Watcher over 4 years ago
50 greenbacks plus expenses is how much Calvin?
codycab over 4 years ago
Obviously not getting paid enough for this.
Baba27 over 4 years ago
Looks like the dame was bad news too for Tracer’s future.
Ahuehuete over 4 years ago
Does Calvin knows what a hip flask is for?
SHIVA over 4 years ago
He’s hallucinating again!! They HAVE to increase his meds!!!
Orcatime over 4 years ago
His imagination is something so dearly missed in a teacher’s English assignment!
Robin Harwood over 4 years ago
And once again I call attention to Watterson’s artistry. He brilliantly recreates, and slightly satirizes, the moody lighting effects of film noir. And look at the second panel! The hat is white, the smoke is white, but the face blends into the shadow.
Pokemon over 4 years ago
To Calvin, a pop quiz does require a detective
BigDaveGlass over 4 years ago
What you will get is 50 lines a day…….
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
Yet, “the dame” is going to get her case done for free!
Yontrop over 4 years ago
Fifty greenbacks a day. That’s an expression you don’t hear much any more. The price seems a little out of date too.
cubswin2016 over 4 years ago
Calvin has got nothing on The Hardy Boys. They could show him how it’s done.
sheilag over 4 years ago
Calvin has to be absolutely TINY to be able to sit like that in those old school desks… we had those in my day (unlike kids today, who get tables and chairs), and they were hard… :-P
JoJoline over 4 years ago
No, he doesn’t. But Tracer Bullet does. Calvin can’t fly a space ship. But Spaceman Spiff can.
Jimvideo over 4 years ago
Bill Watterson’s artwork and storytelling is amazing! Love the film noir look!
coffeeturtle over 4 years ago
ALWAYS LOVED THIS!
dsatvoinde Premium Member over 4 years ago
Such…a…great…imagination!!!
rshive over 4 years ago
But this dame carried a big stick that was somehow p[persuasive.
BiggerNate91 over 4 years ago
Proof that Calvin watches too much TV.
mountainclimber over 4 years ago
When I think back on all the crap I learned in grammar school (PS24 in JC), it’s a wonder I can think at all . . .
Mac over 4 years ago
Tracer Bullet and Dixon Hill. Doze chumps seem like dey’d be pretty pally togeder.
DCBakerEsq over 4 years ago
I had a crush on my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Salter. It was unrequited.
carlzr over 4 years ago
Looks like the after school special was replaced by the Maltese Falcon.
57BelAir over 4 years ago
I like these where Calvin goes off into his Private Eye alter ego. Also some great drawings when he imagines space invaders.
chfabbro over 4 years ago
Has Dad been reading him Raymond Chandler books at bedtime?
Nick Danger over 4 years ago
The noir detective dialog is pretty good here – too bad Watterson never produced a Tracer Bullet graphic novel
banjinshiju over 4 years ago
Calvin has definitely capture the feel of a “film noir” story in his imagination.
Ryan Plut over 4 years ago
I wish I had the gift of ‘snappy patter’ but I don’t.
WCraft Premium Member over 4 years ago
His last words before being hauled off to the office: “Whatever you say, doll face…”
PuppyPapa over 4 years ago
I just have to wonder if he could get away with publishing this new today — a 6 year old with a cigarette in his mouth!
fix-n-fly over 4 years ago
I have a feeling Calvin is headed for the “slammer” (detention).
InuYugiHakusho over 4 years ago
I read Tracer Bullet’s dialogue in Max Payne’s voice.