The Encounter
When it comes to derivative works, I get the impression that Calvin & Hobbes stumps most of the people that try to tackle it. I don’t know why, but most of the tributes or parodies I’ve seen fall flat in two camps: the mushy, overly reverential fan art that for some reason indulges in seeing Calvin as a grown-up (which I think misses the point: it doesn’t matter if he becomes a monk, a father or a criminal, you are only meant to think of Calvin as a kid); or, sadly more common: the perversion of its subject. I can’t fathom the lack of imagination that compels the knuckle dragging, “hurr durr, imma gonna ruin your childhood!” of Calvin having a sex doll, the imbecility of a murderous Calvin in Robot Chicken or the general intention of shitting on the spell of one of the greatest, most honest and rewarding comic strips of all time to add shock value to a mediocre product.
Ahem. I thought Joker and Lex was ok, though. And the pills apocryphal strip: that was actually quite deep.
I’m not saying my little tribute here is the way to do it, but c’mon: the strip is an intelligent celebration of imagination. It deserves much, much better.
–Pedro Arizpe
Discussion ¬
http://i.cr3ation.co.uk/dl/s1/gif/4427.1151980297391.gif
http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cimages/cdrawing003.jpg and the creator:
http://www.spacecoyote.com/
this too is nice. although I feel you were a a bit over-critical of other fan-arts.
Thanks for your comment, Saurabh. Point taken. They are undoubtedly made with love and respect, but personally they rub me the wrong way, for reasons already explained. The examples regarding Lio, Robot Chicken and the sex strip I couldn’t find, though: I really do hate them.
Thanks for stopping by!
I understand where you come from. We are still trying to understand what Watterson meant with half of those strips. Putting Calvin in all the situations you speak about is of course an abomination to the love and respect the man and his characters deserve.
Having said that, Watterson was pretty against anyone creating anything with his strips. He fought universal syndicate tooth and nail to prevent merchandising and unauthorised reproduction of C&H. So maybe, once we cross that line, we can’t stop others from crossing them too. Even if they are horrible. Specially if they are horrible.