Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for September 29, 2011

All that shifting, no wonder you’re getting sick!

pulling those “G’s” can do that too you.

No wonder!

Our hero

So who was the enemy this time?

Some Comments on the Animate and Inanimate HobbesYesterday’s strip was unusual because the last frame showed Hobbes to be alive, rather than stuffed, even though Susie was also in the frame. Hobbes was behind Susie’s back, so she didn’t see that he was alive.Bill Watterson usually shows Hobbes as a stuffed animal whenever there is a person other than Calvin in the frame. But Bill is forced to make an exception if both Hobbes and the other person are speaking, as in the final frame yesterday:Click here: 7/30/86 (yesterday’s strip)Here is an example where Hobbes is shown to be alive in the final two frames, even though Calvin’s Mom is also in both frames. That’s because Hobbes is honking the car horn in one frame and speaking in the other, while Calvin’s Mom is also speaking in the same two frames:Click here: 2/23/86Finally, here is an intriguing example where Hobbes is shown as stuffed in frame 2 but alive in frame 4, even though Calvin is having a conversation with his Mom (outside the frame) in both cases. The difference is that Hobbes is also speaking in frame 4, but not in frame 2:Click here: 12/16/85Presumably, Calvin’s Mom is still facing Calvin and Hobbes in frame 4, so this creates a problem for any reader who wants perfect consistency. To make this one “work,” that reader would have to imagine that Mom has turned her back and is walking into the house while Calvin is answering her question in frame 4.Bill Watterson said that he enjoyed creating a tension between the stuffed and real Hobbes, which could not always be resolved by the reader. So, while it is interesting to observe how he portrays Hobbes differently depending on each situation (in part because it provides a bit of a window into Bill’s thought process), it is not worth trying too hard to resolve the tension in every situation.

The engines can’t take the strain!

I was sort of hoping you would send me a check…….

haha thats what I was thinking… I didn’t even notice it yesterday

@Hobbes:

Whilst that is interesting analysis, I wonder how much of this “tension” is age-related? What I mean is, I wonder if a child reading the comic has any problems in interpreting Hobbes’ sentience in the presence of non-Calvins or otherwise?

I certainly have no problems with shifting between Hobbes’ twin life as a stuffed toy and an expert dry commentator, whether Mum/Dad/Susie/others are in the frame or not.

@Hobbes…when I first started reading Calvin and Hobbes It took me a little bit to realize that Hobbes was only alive to Calvin. What a great imagination Calvin had! I wish the strip would come back!

When did a swing stop being a Spaceship….? I’m trying to remember. It seems a long time ago. But life was more fun then.

Getting sick on the swings sure beats ANY day in the office!!

I like when the Tiger talks

This brought back fond summer memories of swinging back and forth on the homemade swing on my grandpa’s farm in Alberta. I would soak In the sun while watching for recognizable images in the large cumulus clouds passing overhead.

@Hobbes: I started reading C&H when it came out. I was already a teenager. I recently bought compilation books for my kids to read and enjoy. My youngest picked them up and started reading them before she could even understand some of the words that were used and she just loved C&H. She is now 10 and still checks out the C&H books from the library at school to read.

You are right, I did have to explain about Hobbes, but it didn’t take much…. I just told her that Hobbes was Calvin’s imaginary friend…she took it from there…..

khpage said (yesterday),“This cartoon really gave me a laugh”“A merry heart does good like a medicine:But a broken spirit dries the bones.”Proverbs 17:22Susie got the last laugh in the comic. She appeared to accept his alleged apology. Then she proposed a game with her rules and proceeded to make an exit “to Wall Street” for an indefinite time leaving Calvin in the lurch, effectively squelched.

I wish you well and much relief if not healing for your condition.

I wish I still had this kind of imagination. I used to be quite imaginative when I was a child back on Krypton.

Next time Calvin, remember your dramamine !

Space man Spiff could take a direct hit his space craft is going forward and backwards but not sideways ,a malfunction,is it safe to abandon the ship?

Get off the swing then Calvin…

Awwwww, So cute.

LOL xxx

Funny and cool from waht Hobbes said about Hobbes’ appearances.

This is what happens when you put the dilithium chrystals in upside down – you start hallucinating and get sick….

LOVE THIS!

You spin me right round, baby, right round, like a record baby, round round round round…

A good lesson to learn, Calvin . . . and that’s to never fantasize you’re “Spaceman Spiff” outrunning aliens while you’re playing on a swing. There’s just way too much shifting going on for your stomach to handle!!!

Sick? THEN PUKE.

Don’t know about the others, but Montana Lady has been back in hospital for some followup surgery — she came home today.

Her daughter’s been updating us on Birdbrains.

Well, I can’t argue with Teddy Roosevelt. That’s because he’s dead.Actually, I did contact GoComics awhile back and asked them about getting rid of the “load the rest of the comics” function. But the only reply that I got was that my suggestion was being forwarded to the appropriate department. So I guess it just went on the big suggestion pile.

<< Dogsniff wrote: "Where is Lewreader, Lonewolf, Montana Lady???? >>@Dogsniff: Lonewolf is in Chicago, Montana Lady is in……..Montana (Duh), and Lewreader is in Retirement.Aren’t you glad that I’m standing by to answer your questions?

I’m glad you are standing by to anticipate my questions …And to explain those concepts that I appreciate but can’t articulate.

Prayers said for Montana Lady – thank you also Puddleglum for yours as well….

Sorry…I choose to believe Hobbes is a living being. THBBT!

peanut

The swing strategy