123 out of 123 people found this review helpful.
Ah, To Be 6 Forever
Date of Review: Dec 14, 2000
I miss the old days. Hell, I'm still basically living the old days, but I miss them nonetheless. I just arrived at college, and have found myself surrounded by people with agendas. They picked their major when they learned how to walk, and they are pretty damn hardcore. No time for innocence; no sir, there's a 3.9 to maintain in their double major.
Aww mannnn.
I have little direction in life other than the fact that I don't want much direction in life. I abhor monotony and predictability, and I aspire to avoid it completely in life. As such, I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out a major, much less a job, that will best suit my eclecticism.
Man, I miss the innocence and hedonism.
Ok, so what am I getting at here?
Well, basically, I miss being Calvin. I started reading Calvin and Hobbes right about the age of six- the same age Calvin maintained during his tenure as the best comic strip in print. Ever since, Calvin's ever-growing library of collections has resided in the best spot on my bookshelf- even out here at college, where dorm-room space is a hot commodity. I'm sure Mom would've preferred that I brought more Shakespeare and Rand, but geez, then I wouldn't have had room for "Homicidal Jungle Cat". Or "Something Under the Bed Is Drooling". Or, most importantly, the "Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book" (known from here on as the "Book").
Most importantly, you ask? Why is that book - a book that is merely gathered strips from the other books- deemed by me most important? C'mon, look how plain the title is!
I'll tell you why.
First off, Bill Watterson is a fantastic writer. The perspective from which speaks, both as Calvin and as himself in the "Book", is one of the most enlightening I have ever read. He's concerned with issues such as integrity. Pride. Morality. It's evident in the Calvin strips, and it's evident in his narrations throughout the "Book". Have you ever seen a Calvin and Hobbes coffee mug? A legally licensed one, at least? No. Nor will you ever see (legal) Calvin and Hobbes t-shirts, TV specials, or socks. Why? 'Cause Watterson draws a comic strip. Not underwear. His characters aren't merchandising tools; they're comic strip characters, with complex messages. Messages that are diluted and irrelevant on a window sticker. I highly admire Watterson's decision. He could've made a fortune marketing his creation. Instead, he chose to have the strip maintain its dignity. I wish Garfield's creator had done the same.
Secondly, the "Book"'s narrations offer an incredibly interesting view of the thought behind the strips. To read Watterson's thoughts or mindset as he wrote each strip remains one of the most thought-provoking things I've ever read. I never knew how much time and effort went into each strip, and I have that much more respect for the craft.
The selection of strips in the "Book" is fantastic, as well. Watterson wanted to exhibit a plethora of different mindsets and periods of Calvin's existence, so the "Book" is essentially a ?Calvin and Hobbes Greatest Hits? anthology. All of the memorable characters and all of the memorable storylines make an appearance in the "Book". Even if a story isn't contained in it's entirety, the strip or two taken from it will easily remind me of the rest of the story. After all, after having read each collection 3,017 times, you remember each story pretty clearly.
Of course, when it comes right down to it, the "Book" is great because it's a Calvin and Hobbes book. I can't write about them all; the reviews would be too similar. So I had to choose one, and the previously listed reasons are why I opted for the "Book". The strips therein are typical Calvin strips.
Man, I love those typical Calvin strips.
I love everything about Calvin. I love relating to his pensive side, and laughing at his aloof side. I love his precocious vocabulary and philosophizing; since Watterson stopped writing, only Aaron McGruder's "Boondocks" has been able to work in the ironic humor of a precocious child, and even then "Boondocks" is obviously working off of the Calvin mold. Most importantly, though, I love his perspective on life. It involves an essential mix of ignorance and awareness, and sprinkles in some apathy. Calvin's a thinker, but enjoys himself immensely. He stresses imagination and energy, and loves bits of mischief. Calvin's never stressed and never works too hard- unless he wants to. Some might call it a lazy man's ethic. I think Calvin's just concerned with enjoying life and all of its intricacies, and not worrying about anything else.
I knew exactly what I was doing when I brought my Calvin and Hobbes collection to college, and it has served me exactly as I predicted. Whenever I'm confused or depressed about my apparent lack of direction, I bust out a Calvin book. I read it cover to cover. When I set it down, I feel great. My problem isn't solved. In fact, it hasn't changed at all. I still lack direction. It just took Calvin to remind me that I'd much rather be that way.
