Opinions: Some real comic relief

 by Chris Ogino
 published on Friday, April 11, 2008

In comic strips, there's Calvin and Hobbes and everything else. The Far Side, Dilbert, and not even Peanuts come close to Bill Watterson's masterpiece. It's not that any of those are bad, but "Calvin" surpasses them like a comic strip Jesus or Buddha. Most comic strips have a niche of some sort. "Dilbert" is for cubicle dwellers, "Baby Blues" is for stressed parents, "Family Circus" is for … special people. You will never find a strip in "Calvin" in which the humor is exclusive to a certain demographic. It holds universal appeal and not in the way that there is something for everyone. Instead, everything is for everyone. There are strips where there weren't even words; Watterson's artwork is so expressive that he doesn't have to fill the page with dialogue to give his characters life.

Not everyone works in an office. But everyone went through childhood. Most people can relate to fearing bicycle riding and filling summers with water balloon attacks. Who didn't wake up early in the summer and want to sleep in on school days? And then there's "Calvinball" — Children need to be left alone just to imagine and make their own fun, rather than have fun crammed into their brains with TV and playdates.

But it's not just a celebration of childhood. Watterson's social commentary is subtler and more powerful than in "Doonesbury" or "The Boondocks." Watterson doesn't clearly discuss political or racial issues. Instead, Calvin and Hobbes play off each other in philosophical discussions about everything ranging from nature and existence to patience and consumerism. For example, Calvin gives a dialogue about how politics have devolved into shouting matches for the sake of entertainment. Hobbes remarks, "You may be right." After a silent panel, Calvin then complains "What a boring day this turned out to be!"

But you'll never get a clear understanding of the comic strip through a description. Everyone should read a "Calvin and Hobbes" collection every five years. Reading them again, I understand more than I did in sixth grade. Calvin's philosophical insights on adulthood and Hobbes's quiet serenity become just as important as the disturbingly funny snowmen they build together.

Even so, I can still appreciate "Calvin" as a serious work and still laugh at the adventures of Spaceman Spiff. In today's Dane Cook- and SAT test-obsessed country, it's comforting to see intelligence and humor can coexist.

I get depressed to see car decals featuring Calvin-esque figures pissing on various things or a faux-Calvin praying to a cross. Watterson never licensed a decal, lunchbox or Hobbes doll to any company. No plans for a movie or show are in the works. And thank God for that.

To me, "Calvin and Hobbes" is something so perfect and beautiful, it should never be touched by anyone else but Watterson. At best, it would be like interrupting the happiest couple's wedding to say how much you admire and adore them. Even though you meant well and could never disrupt their perfection, you still should have just shut up and marveled at the beauty before you.

Chris can be reached by e-mail at: cogino@asu.edu.