"I'm Good"
April 2, 2017 3:30 PM Subscribe
Calvin County is Bill Watterson and Berkeley Breathed collaborating on a comic. Posted yesterday, with collaborating NYT article.
The NYT byline is a nice touch. She'd be at the right age to do that, and it would suit her, too.
posted by Countess Elena at 3:38 PM on April 2, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 3:38 PM on April 2, 2017 [12 favorites]
Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!
posted by Splunge at 3:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Splunge at 3:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
I suspect Susie'd be on a different beat.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:55 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by leotrotsky at 3:55 PM on April 2, 2017
Milo Bloom was already writing for the local paper...
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:08 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:08 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Oh, man—you really got my hopes up for a quick minute there.
posted by she's not there at 4:29 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by she's not there at 4:29 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Nevermind it's an april fools' joke, I'm so printing and framing this.
posted by _dario at 4:45 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by _dario at 4:45 PM on April 2, 2017
This mostly just breaks my heart, but then that's just where I'm sitting today.... sigh..... in an alternate universe everything is swell.
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 4:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 4:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
It may be an April Fool's joke, but I doubt that Berkeley Breathed would just go and slap Bill Watterson's signature on it if he wasn't involved.
posted by fifthrider at 4:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by fifthrider at 4:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
I am struggling for an analogy, but so far I'm thinking that this is kind of like pushing heroin on a recovered addict, only to reveal that the heroin is in fact shitty methadone. And I'm not even mad.
posted by schadenfrau at 4:53 PM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 4:53 PM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
The photo in the NYT article makes me giggle non-stop when I look at it.
posted by hippybear at 4:55 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 4:55 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
When I saw the first mention of this on Friday night, I assumed it was an April Fool's item that got released early, as is sometimes done to make people fall for it by not doing the joke day-of.
Then Rick & Morty released a surprise episode, and it was for real, and my April Fool's sense was thrown for a loop.
So yeah, when I saw it again, now on the Blue (and the day after), I desperately hoped it was because this was a real, ongoing item. Now I'm sad that it's a one-off joke.
posted by mystyk at 4:56 PM on April 2, 2017
Then Rick & Morty released a surprise episode, and it was for real, and my April Fool's sense was thrown for a loop.
So yeah, when I saw it again, now on the Blue (and the day after), I desperately hoped it was because this was a real, ongoing item. Now I'm sad that it's a one-off joke.
posted by mystyk at 4:56 PM on April 2, 2017
Well, the continuation of Bloom County isn't a joke. This particular thing, however, is.
posted by hippybear at 5:10 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by hippybear at 5:10 PM on April 2, 2017
I'm still kind of miffed that Bill Watterson discontinued Calvin and Hobbes. I feel like I really need more of his strips now that I'm nearing my mid 20s...
posted by yueliang at 5:12 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by yueliang at 5:12 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's too sad to think of a current C&H strip, or what would have become of Calvin if he grew up. The world is too wicked to deserve such a child, or indeed most children. All I can imagine is that if Calvin were around today, he would have a lot of opinions on Minecraft. A lot of them.
posted by Countess Elena at 5:23 PM on April 2, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 5:23 PM on April 2, 2017 [19 favorites]
I feel like I really need more of his strips now that I'm nearing my mid 20s...
I hear that. I feel like I really need more of his strips now that I'm nearing my mid 50s.
posted by briank at 5:42 PM on April 2, 2017 [34 favorites]
I hear that. I feel like I really need more of his strips now that I'm nearing my mid 50s.
posted by briank at 5:42 PM on April 2, 2017 [34 favorites]
My Calvin and Hobbes books became my 'bathroom anthologies' through college. My Son found them on a bookshelf and has worked through quite a few. He - like me - like everyone I've ever known - sees himself/herself/themselves in it. It is universal. It stands the test of time...
This winter, he even built his horde of mini snowmen... I mean... not after reading Calvin and Hobbes, just had that Calvinstinctive moment and built hordes of them before reigning snowball death upon them and finishing them all off with a sled run...
So, in your mid 50s, your mid 20s, my case - early 40s, - and in my son's case - mid... single digit.
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [22 favorites]
This winter, he even built his horde of mini snowmen... I mean... not after reading Calvin and Hobbes, just had that Calvinstinctive moment and built hordes of them before reigning snowball death upon them and finishing them all off with a sled run...
So, in your mid 50s, your mid 20s, my case - early 40s, - and in my son's case - mid... single digit.
posted by Nanukthedog at 5:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [22 favorites]
MetaFilter: built hordes of them before raining snowball death upon them and finishing them all off with a sled run...
posted by hippybear at 6:44 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 6:44 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Berkely Breathed and Bill Watterson are good friends. Breathed has features Calvin or Hobbes in some of his resurrected strips over the last year.
posted by disclaimer at 7:42 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by disclaimer at 7:42 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
When my mom had to move out of her house, we shipped a bunch of my books here to California. One, possibly two, of the boxes broke open in a USPS processing facility, and, long story short, the books inside were lost forever.
I am so, so grateful that the box with all my Calvin and Hobbes books made it. I was Calvin's age when I started reading the strip, and only a few years older when it ended. I've pulled one off my shelf, and reading it is like -- I don't know how to put it, but it's sort of like a reminder that there's ground under my feet.
It only just dawned on my how much my girlfriend is like Susie Derkins. No wonder we hit it off.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 7:45 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
I am so, so grateful that the box with all my Calvin and Hobbes books made it. I was Calvin's age when I started reading the strip, and only a few years older when it ended. I've pulled one off my shelf, and reading it is like -- I don't know how to put it, but it's sort of like a reminder that there's ground under my feet.
It only just dawned on my how much my girlfriend is like Susie Derkins. No wonder we hit it off.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 7:45 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
I'd want my cat back too.
posted by arcticseal at 7:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by arcticseal at 7:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
That "NYT" article is some Banana Jr. 6000-caliber material right there.
posted by Dokterrock at 1:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Dokterrock at 1:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
We lost Calvin and Hobbes *and* The Far Side in a period of one year -- how we as a society have not completely lost hope is beyond me. How have we not disintegrated totally -- I just don't understand it. Or maybe we *have* lost all hope, maybe we as a society *have* completely disintegrated -- look at the level of uncaring, in fact seemingly intentional loathing for and trashing of our planet. Also, Lady Gaga.*
*Just kidding about Lady Gaga -- she's a trip, and a good one.
I would *love* to see what Watterson would have Calvin doing with .mp3 players and smart phones etc and etc. I'd love to see the droll, dry, caustic observations that Watterson would have Hobbes making about todays world -- we're 22 years since that strip stopped, a *lot* of things have been added to be mocked, and I'm sure that Hobbes would be up to the task.
I liked his parents a lot, most particularly his father, so much personality in that character. And Susie, pretty much sane, and expecting the same from Calvin, her confusion and anger when Calvin was, well, when Calvin was Calvin.
One of the things I really like about this site is that you've got to love Calvin and Hobbes and you've got to love David Foster Wallace. That right there does send a message about MetaFilter to the world, who we are, what we expect of you.
posted by dancestoblue at 3:05 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
*Just kidding about Lady Gaga -- she's a trip, and a good one.
I would *love* to see what Watterson would have Calvin doing with .mp3 players and smart phones etc and etc. I'd love to see the droll, dry, caustic observations that Watterson would have Hobbes making about todays world -- we're 22 years since that strip stopped, a *lot* of things have been added to be mocked, and I'm sure that Hobbes would be up to the task.
I liked his parents a lot, most particularly his father, so much personality in that character. And Susie, pretty much sane, and expecting the same from Calvin, her confusion and anger when Calvin was, well, when Calvin was Calvin.
One of the things I really like about this site is that you've got to love Calvin and Hobbes and you've got to love David Foster Wallace. That right there does send a message about MetaFilter to the world, who we are, what we expect of you.
posted by dancestoblue at 3:05 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
In the good news column, though, Bloom County does continue.
posted by hippybear at 3:18 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 3:18 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
We lost Calvin and Hobbes *and* The Far Side in a period of one year
Unlike Calvin and Hobbes, the Far Side hasn't aged well. So many of the strips rely on offensive stereotypes.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 4:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Unlike Calvin and Hobbes, the Far Side hasn't aged well. So many of the strips rely on offensive stereotypes.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 4:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
So many of the strips rely on offensive stereotypes.
Offensive stereotypes about cows, amoebae and cavemen?
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:17 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Offensive stereotypes about cows, amoebae and cavemen?
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:17 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Maybe, if we wish and hope and pray and possibly offer cash, they'll continue this.
posted by tommasz at 5:44 AM on April 3, 2017
posted by tommasz at 5:44 AM on April 3, 2017
Offensive stereotypes about cows, amoebae and cavemen?
The Duck-American community protests in the strongest possible terms.
posted by thelonius at 6:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Duck-American community protests in the strongest possible terms.
posted by thelonius at 6:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
ungulate trafficking is no laughing matter guys
posted by entropicamericana at 6:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by entropicamericana at 6:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
So many of the strips rely on offensive stereotypes.
#NOTALLCAVEMEN
posted by zarq at 6:53 AM on April 3, 2017
#NOTALLCAVEMEN
posted by zarq at 6:53 AM on April 3, 2017
offensive stereotypes
Seriously, you mean the beehive-haired women? The chubby nerds?
posted by thelonius at 6:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seriously, you mean the beehive-haired women? The chubby nerds?
posted by thelonius at 6:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
One of the things I really like about this site is that you've got to love Calvin and Hobbes and you've got to love David Foster Wallace. That right there does send a message about MetaFilter to the world, who we are, what we expect of you.
Nah it means if you don't like DFW (hi! please don't hate me! Literary preferences are a complex and highly personal thing!) you don't parachute into DFW threads and tell people he sucks.
Similarly for C&H. Which I no longer enjoy as much I once did, but, that's not really relevant to this thread, and the link is adorable.
In conclusion, Susie Derkins forever.
posted by emjaybee at 7:33 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Nah it means if you don't like DFW (hi! please don't hate me! Literary preferences are a complex and highly personal thing!) you don't parachute into DFW threads and tell people he sucks.
Similarly for C&H. Which I no longer enjoy as much I once did, but, that's not really relevant to this thread, and the link is adorable.
In conclusion, Susie Derkins forever.
posted by emjaybee at 7:33 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
ungulate trafficking is no laughing matter guys
Are you saying "Eat mor chikin"?
posted by TedW at 8:12 AM on April 3, 2017
Are you saying "Eat mor chikin"?
posted by TedW at 8:12 AM on April 3, 2017
Seriously, you mean the beehive-haired women? The chubby nerds?
I'm thinking more of the depiction of Native Americans and other native peoples in the strip.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:57 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm thinking more of the depiction of Native Americans and other native peoples in the strip.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:57 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Weren't the white guys always the butt of the jokes in those strips? Its been a while...
posted by Molesome at 9:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Molesome at 9:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would *love* to see what Watterson would have Calvin doing with .mp3 players and smart phones etc and etc.
Little to nothing, I imagine. One of the many reasons C&H holds up so well today is that it has a mostly timeless quality about it, with little reliance on the technology or pop culture of its day. For example, I don't recall Calvin ever playing video games, even though they were definitely a Thing during the time (1985-1995) the strip ran.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Little to nothing, I imagine. One of the many reasons C&H holds up so well today is that it has a mostly timeless quality about it, with little reliance on the technology or pop culture of its day. For example, I don't recall Calvin ever playing video games, even though they were definitely a Thing during the time (1985-1995) the strip ran.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Calvin complained a lot about the technology that his parents wouldn't have in the house. I remember that his parents wouldn't pay for cable and he considered it a great injustice. I started reading the strip when I was about Calvin's age, and I just assumed his dad believed that video games would rot your brain. Possibly he even said so at one point. Besides, the family was always a little short on money, probably because of frequent repair bills.
posted by Countess Elena at 10:09 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 10:09 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
One of the things I really like about this site is that you've got to love Calvin and Hobbes and you've got to love David Foster Wallace.
DFW, huh? Shit. Nice knowing y'all. Whom do I see about getting my five bucks back?
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
DFW, huh? Shit. Nice knowing y'all. Whom do I see about getting my five bucks back?
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
"Dad said tigers don't like David Foster Wallace!"
"Tigers don't know if they like David Foster Wallace until they've read every one."1
1It wouldn't be a proper DFW reference without a footnote.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:39 PM on April 3, 2017
"Tigers don't know if they like David Foster Wallace until they've read every one."1
1It wouldn't be a proper DFW reference without a footnote.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:39 PM on April 3, 2017
Cats and newspaper comics didn't used to go together until Garfield (but then Bill the Cat was originally intended as a 'totally worthless' Garfield parody). Snoopy ruled the funnies. But right now, the most successful launch of a newspaper comic in years (by current low standards), is the webcomic-to-dead-tree transplant "Breaking Cat News". And let's face it, the match between the personalities of housecats with TV news anchors and pundits IS near perfect.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Thanks to this post I ended up reading Calvin and Hobbes strips for a while last night, instead of working on my abstract that was due today. When I got to the story about Calvin traveling through time to avoid writing a paper for school, I decided the book had begun speaking to me directly. I think I love Calvin and Hobbes even more as an adult.
I did turn in my abstract today, no thanks to 7:30 me, the lazy slacker.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I did turn in my abstract today, no thanks to 7:30 me, the lazy slacker.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hooray for everything!
posted by aspersioncast at 3:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by aspersioncast at 3:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I loved Bloom County in its original incarnation, but unlike Calvin & Hobbes, it was far too topical to age well. Even old Doonesbury strips work better than old Bloom County. I've been enjoying the new strips, though they might not age well either.
I'm holding my breath on Breaking Cat News. One of its charms as a web comic was that it wasn't a strip, and Georgia had space to develop each comic's gag. Right now, she has to spend time introducing the cats and their people to a new audience. I just hope the charm translates well to the daily strip format.
posted by lhauser at 8:42 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm holding my breath on Breaking Cat News. One of its charms as a web comic was that it wasn't a strip, and Georgia had space to develop each comic's gag. Right now, she has to spend time introducing the cats and their people to a new audience. I just hope the charm translates well to the daily strip format.
posted by lhauser at 8:42 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have briefly (long enough to make a camera shot) held a post-Calvin Watterson original in my hands. It felt sacred, like the time I picked up SRV's #1 for a second. It was more than a guitar - more than a piece of artboard with ink.
I don't begrudge him his retirement at all. He went out on top & spared us the inevitable slow decline of Calvin that might have been possible if he'd tried to milk it beyond its prime. I respect that immensely.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't begrudge him his retirement at all. He went out on top & spared us the inevitable slow decline of Calvin that might have been possible if he'd tried to milk it beyond its prime. I respect that immensely.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, Brief Interviews With Hideous Men was pretty good.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:41 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:41 PM on April 4, 2017
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posted by thelonius at 3:38 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]