Brevity by Dan Thompson for January 10, 2013

But what’s the norm?

Is that in tiger years?

I know Watterson only worked at it for 10 years…

But what about Guy and rOdd?

Are they both gone now?

AFAIK, it’s only been about six and a half years for rOdd and seven and a half for Guy. That doesn’t add up to 14!

Hey Norm, what’s shaking?

4 Cheeks and 2 chins, Cliffie!

Woody – “Hey Norm, what’s goin down?”Norm – " My butt on this barstool…now get me a beer!"

AlexiK … just two cartoonists riffing on the same TV character…. no other connection I can see.

If you’re unfamiliar with Calvin and Hobbes, it’s in reruns right here on GoComics.

The strip only ran 10 years in spite of enormous popularity and many awards.

As for the character, Norm…. also Cliff…. cos both are parodied here….. try googling Cheers.

I am sorry, I didn’t get the joke anyway but… Is that meant to be “Clavin” or just a typo?

Cliff Clavin, the mailman at the bar on Cheers.

Wonderful!

If you have to explain the joke…..

Sam:How’s it goin’ Norm?Norm: It’s a dog eat dog world, Sam, and I’m wearin Milk Bone underwear.

Dang, the fact I got this makes me feel kinda old, but still amused!

I still watch many of the old Cheers; when it originally aired, my favorite lunch joint (Irish Village in Chicago) was very similar, tho’ the bartender was a portly Irish lady (much like one waitress they had briefly in Cheers); we even had a mailman who seemed to always be there. I ate there 1-2 times a week but there were REAL regulars who seemed never to leave.

Clavin & Hobbshttp://blogs.gocomics.com/2011/12/my-favorite-clavin-and-hobbes-ever.html

I’ll gladly take a cartoonist of Watterson’s talent for a limited run than that of those who work every day but produce average or less fare.

Hey, as long as we’re picking on cartoonists, let’s not forget Berke Breathed, he pooped out early, too. You know he was in his early twenties when he was writing all those Bloom County strips that seem to carry the wisdom of the ages…..Man….

sosingalong, I agree, gotta let the artist decide…..If they don’t feel like doing it anymore, save us all some time….(But would it kill ’em to come back every once in a while?)….

.Thank god for Wiley, Miller…..

Brilliant!

Btw I think if the syndicate would have treated Watterson better, and the comics were published in a more reasonable size (you should see just how huge the old comics were, especially on Sundays!), he might have kept going longer, although maybe by only a few years.

Peter David & James Fry did it way back in 1991: http://www.peterdavid.net/gmlog/Clavin&Hobbes.jpg.And for the people who still don’t get the joke, a clip from “Cheers” — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gku_xU2BXBs

Theo 5: It means the same – an exploding star!

“How’s the world treating ya, Norm?”“It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m wearing Milk-Bone underwear.”