Bill Watterson is responsible for so much of my childhood happiness reading Calvin and Hobbs in every Sundays Newspapers where his legendary exploits were front and center or in his books at Rosolli at the mall. He loved his character Calvin and his imaginary stuff tiger Hobbs. What I didnt understand then is why he didnt want any merchandising of them, no dolls, no plush toys, figurines, key chains, chotskys, stickers especially not the boot leg peeing ones on car logos? He didnt want any of it, not one thing nothing resembling the marketing genius that was Charles Schultz think no Met Life no Snoopys Knotts Berry Farm? No syndicated Christmas or Halloween Specials? No he wanted his creation to live only on paper and never wanted Calvin to be like Charlie Brown constantly replaced with a newer kid sounding like the last one pre puberty, hell he didnt even want a woman that sounded like a boy like Bart Simpson or a computer generated voice like South Park either hell he had not the faintest idea even what Calvins voice sounded like because he was a comic ? He spent allot of his syndicated royalties fighting his publisher tooth and nail at theyre dismay successfully to keep it from happening! In 1995 he retired from drawing everyones favorite comic strip to the behest of us all. He said he was tired of the law suits and was running out of ideas because it was hard to do a multi panel cartoon fresh every night for ten years straight? He said he wanted to pursue another dream he always wanted and that was to learn how to the play saxophone. What common keep drawing and play in between I pleaded like we all did to no avail. I imagine he must be be quiet good at it now since its been 19 years since he went into Yoda mode wow how time flies?. Now that I am older I realized I had learned allot from him without knowing it. What I learned from him was he didnt sell out he didnt sell his baby, his creation his soul. He would rather them remain only in books or saved as comic strip newspaper clippings on the refridgerator. Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a rare achievement but he did it!. Thank you for reminding me of this quote from another famous teacher. What is it for a man to gain the world and lose his soul in the process? Funny Calvin used to sniffle allot when he fought Suzie Dirkins, crashed his wagon, fight with or especially when he lost and found Hobbs. Mr. Watterson I am sniffling in your honor right now... I wish you ran the world with your values! Hung Tran PS Charles Schulz learned something from him too in his last will and testament he wanted The Peanuts to cease to exist in Newspapers and advertising pretty much lights out folks? Guess what happen his family didnt respect his wishes?
Posted on: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:57:27 +0000
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