I recently completed my re-read of the entire Calvin & Hobbes run, and my admiration for Bill Watterson has only grown. It's amazing how strong his art and writing are on the strip from the very beginning. Often features will take some time to find their footing characterization and design wise, but C&H is just about perfect right from the first week - and never wavered in quality until its completion.
"Will their determination to outshine each other...lead to destruction for them both?"
ReplyDeleteIf Spaceman Spiff's flying saucer is powered by pewranium 238 (the same as Marvin Martian's explosive space modulator), then--sadly--the answer is yes.
I would think that Daffy and Porky would be some of Calvin's greatest idols. But then, he would probably only ask Daffy if he could get Bugs Bunny's autograph for him. Then, the Emperor Zurg would get the drop on both of them, and ask which of them should be obliterated: "Spiff season!" "Duck season!"
ReplyDeleteOh, this is good...
ReplyDelete"Use the force, SPIFF..the BRAKE FORCE!!"
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect pairing, and a perfect cover. I'd wait until the very last page before revealing that Ego is also the name of the planet they're on.
ReplyDeleteThere is no amount of money that I wouldn't pay to see this. In the 24th and 1/2 century and beyond.
ReplyDeleteLate to the game again, but I finally noticed something: when Calvin is acting as Spaceman Spiff, Hobbes isn't there with him. At least not that I've seen. It looks like Calvin views outer space as this vast and hostile frontier that he must face alone.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point, Ken - now that I think of it, Hobbes never did show up in Calvin's "Daydream" strips... He only shows up when Calvin is Calvin.
ReplyDelete@Ross: in space, no one can see Calvin dream. ;-)
ReplyDelete