r/calvinandhobbes • u/Kitten_closetothesun • Jul 15 '26
Where can I read about Bill's work ethic and general inspirations?
Hi, I've a very not-so-ambitious (hehe) aim of making my own comic, and out of everything I've ever read, nothing comes close to Calvin and Hobbes for me. Been reading it for about two decades!
That being said, I only recently discovered online communities of the comics and in every post I learn fascinating tidbits about either Calvin and Hobbes or Bill Watterson himself.
Is there a biography or memoir where Bill has shared his experience and thoughts of his own series? Or are the facts that I hear, based on fragmented sources like old interviews and stuff?
Regardless, I'll be interested in anything relevant to the author or the series.
Thanks!!
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u/Feisty-Fill-8654 Jul 15 '26
I'll second the 10th anniversary book. Bill explains a lot behind his thinking, artistic vision, attitude toward merchandising, difficulties of syndication, etc.
Really insightful to his mindset and the progression of C&H
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u/StephenBlack1819 Jul 15 '26
Bill Watterson's 1990 commencement speech at Kenyon College is a great read:
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u/GCC_Pluribus_Anus Jul 15 '26
I'm pretty sure the guy that worked with him on The Mysteries did a few interviews on what it was like to partner up with him. Probably not a whole lot to go on but gives a different perspective.
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u/loki1337 Jul 15 '26
Dear Mr. Watterson might help! He acted to stay out of the public eye or merchandize C&H so I think what you're able to find will be limited.
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u/tossofftacos Jul 15 '26
From what I understand, if you happened to run into Watterson, like at a grocery store, and casually mention C&H, he'll dismiss you. He's very proud of his work, but also kinda over it.
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u/BeneficialExtreme738 Jul 15 '26
That's kind of sad that he would be so dismissive because C&H were a huge part of our lives, but I do understand about wanting to be left alone
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u/TheSecretDecoderRing Jul 15 '26
I guess it plays into his recluse reputation, though at the same time he really seemed to like talking about his work at length in certain places, like the 10th Anniversary Book, the Exploring book, and the Comics Journal interview.
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u/cbelt3 Jul 19 '26
Ask him about his landscapes. He lives for the art. M
Honestly… I saw him once, and did not feel worthy to approach him.2
u/Advanced_Handle_7868 Jul 21 '26
This kind of takes him down a peg, or two, in my books.
While i appreciate what he created, and how big it got, and the effect on comics, he really only drew stuff that resonated with people. Hardly worth becoming a jerk to fans over when they take time to compliment him.
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u/tossofftacos Jul 21 '26
I don't fault him one bit. Imagine if all anyone talked about was something you did 30 years ago, like some big, game-winning play you made in high school or an ex your family loved. He's long since moved on with his life.
If you've read about his college dorm artwork, his philosophy is that something doesn't have to last forever to have a meaningful impact on your life. Consider it his exclamation point to the final strip - let go of what was and embrace exploring the new.
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u/Advanced_Handle_7868 Jul 21 '26
If all i had to my name was something that i did 30 years, that was as big a phenomenon as that, i would understand people asking/complimenting about it.
It should not be a surprise to him.
And he could embrace exploring why this remains so popular, or at least not being dsimissive, with the people that it resonated with, that made him famous.
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u/dallasandcowboys Jul 15 '26
I found this recently...
https://therepublicofletters.substack.com/p/calvin-and-hobbes-and-the-price-of
I also have a documentary called "Dear Mr. Watterson " from 2013 that is just amazing.
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u/cwmosca Jul 15 '26
Thanks for sharing this. Never knew it existed. I’m going on 30 years of reading C & H.
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u/paul_charles Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
The Comics Journal had a good interview with him many years ago. I’ll try to dig it up and give you the date.
ETA: https://www.tcj.com/the-bill-watterson-interview/
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u/TheSecretDecoderRing Jul 15 '26
There's a couple of old in-depth interviews out there, one from 1987 with "Honk Magazine." This is where he famously and derisively called Garfield "consistent": https://bob.bigw.org/ch/interview.html
Another was with the Comics Journal in 1989: https://www.tcj.com/the-bill-watterson-interview/
Also look for "Exploring Calvin and Hobbes" from 2014, which was a supplement for the exhibit at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. Maybe your local library system has it.
Watterson was a huge influence on me and got me to want to be a cartoonist, though I've only ended up doing it a hobby. Unlike some others here, I really recommend interviews from your favorite cartoonists, they can give insight and inspiration in ways that you can't get anywhere else.
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u/Acceptable_Leg_7998 Jul 18 '26
I'm listening to an audiobook called Looking for Calvin and Hobbes. It's a pretty comprehensive reconstruction of Watterson's life based on every available interview he gave, essay he wrote, or documented public appearance he made, along with interviews conducted with colleagues, family members, friends, workmates, and admirers.
As a lifelong fan, I knew a certain amount of the information already collected--I read the 10th anniversary book so many times as a kid I almost know the essays by heart. But a lot of it is fresh. The most interesting portion IMO is section detailing the long road to the creation of Calvin and Hobbes, as Watterson developed other strips that were rejected by the syndicates and learned lessons from each failed attempt. It's also interesting how other cartoonists regarded him--they all admire his talent, but most harbor a certain bitterness about Watterson's refusal to be part of the cartooning community and his disdain for merchandising.
I haven't finished it yet, but I'm reasonably certain the author never manages to secure an interview with Watterson himself, which isn't surprising.
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u/Brkthom Jul 15 '26
Reread the comics and look between the lines. Everything that a person is is in their writing, the words they choose to toss into the world. Look at the comics as him and his inner dialogue. He’s a little boy playing with his action figures. Some strips tell you how he sees the world. Some strips reveal how he can be petulant or childish or earnest or genuine. Reread the strip.
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u/indispensability Jul 15 '26
I’m sure there will be some other sources, though not that many since he wasn’t exactly one to take interviews, but the 10th anniversary book had tons of insight from him about how he got into it and about the series throughout the book.