Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for May 01, 2024

Admit it, Calvin — you just want to spend time with Susie.

That, and Calvin can enjoy the violence that comes with being in the army.

Imagine Hobbes in the army, Hobbes would tackle an army!

He wouldn’t make it through the first week of real basic training!!!

Calvin is right, but he doesn’t seem to realize that pro ball players make FAR more $$$ than men in the military.

Besides, Dad will only say that being bossed around and adhering to strict schedules “builds character”. The last thing Calvin wants!

Calvin’s an Artist at Heart!

And yes, it’s nice to see Calvin and Susie getting along. :)

Thanks to attorneys, it’s been decades since I’ve seen a teeter-totter.

Sandlot baseball is like Little League without the rules and the grown ups.

I did that in 1969—-and got 12 cents an hour.

I get it Calvin. I also hated school sports. I was forced to join until i found a way to bunk the period when you signed up for sports.

Sports were really boring. A lot of running around for no useful purpose.

This might have been the longest single civil conversation Calvin ever had with Susie, poor lass.

That’s what I did. Only it was the Marines.

Calvin is a real loner.

How nice to see Calvin being pleasant with Susie.

I don’t mind playing sports, but sitting and watching someone else play a game just seems odd to me.

Does the army pay you while you’re in the brig?

This was always my feeling about sports as well.

I’m 52 and I can still remember the defining moment in the 1st grade like it was yesterday: We were all excited about signing up for baseball. At the end of the day, everyone had their sign-up form in-hand as we made our way to the exit. As I rounded the corner to go down the stairs it dawned on me: If I was in baseball, I wouldn’t be able to go home and do what I wanted. I’d have to say late in the place I hated most: School.

The sign-up form was tossed into the garbage can at the bottom of the stairs and my sports career was over.

Later, our gym teachers were often coaches from the football or basketball team. I still remember playing some game or other in middle school gym. I was starting to have a little fun when I did the wrong thing (because the rules had not been explained) and the coach started yelling. He wasn’t explaining, he wasn’t guiding, he was yelling. This moron – who failed to explain the rules to us – proceeded to ask “Haven’t you ever watched on TV?!?!?!”

No. No I hadn’t watched it on TV because I wasn’t interested. I may have become interested but his idiotic behavior squashed the spark of interest.

I looked at him very calmly with a raised eyebrow and said “Is it really necessary to speak to me that way?” He didn’t know what to say so he walked away.

’till he changes his attitude, he will never even graduate boot camp.

I played Football, ran track, and did 26 years in the Air Force. Was the better man for doing all of them.

Yeah, Luckily I learned how to play Baseball from a Young age, so I know how to play it and stuff.

Be all that you can be…… join the people who’ve joined the Army………

There is absolutely a parallel between the military and sports. Both are about attacking and defending.

Well, Calvin, as a private soldier in the army, your pay isn’t that much.

Yeah, you don’t have to join the Army to be told all of those things; you just need a job.

And there’s your problem, Calvin. You have no respect for authority figures!

Athletes get paid.

A valid point, Calvin.

when was the orignal arc

More bases, and malleable rules in Calvinball.

A civil conversation with Susie? Is Calvin OK?

If Calvin has the talent, he could be an extreme athlete in the making.

God save the Army.

Every time I see Susie in a strip now I think about the story of Calvin’s last day in the hospital. Brings tears to my eyes and I am a 66 year old man.

“To Yossarian, the idea of pennants as prizes was absurd. No money went with them, no class privileges. Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the owner had done something of no benefit to anyone more capably than everyone else.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Calvin must have developed a major cootie infestation!

Be All You Can Be, Calvin!

Yep… Calvin is being groomed to end up with Susie, even though he will NEVER admit it – he likes her.

One very smart kid.

Calvin… join the Marines. Boot camp is a lot of fun and games. Be sure to call your Drill Instructor “You”. : )

Nice to see Calvin actin calm for a change and not yelling at Susie.

Calvin’s going through a phase.

This is a very introspective side of Calvin, and for him to open up to Susie of all people is really quite poignant. (Granted, the supporting cast of this strip is tiny, and if he’s out in public and can’t talk with Hobbes, the pickings are slim indeed.)

For a moment it even lets you forget that this strip doesn’t really match up too well with yesterday’s, where he was completely unaware of the baseball signups. Today makes it look like he made a deliberate decision not to participate. I like this version much better.

Calvin getting philosophical.

When I was in school, there were plenty of girls who would have signed up for baseball at recess.

Smartest comment that Calvin has come up with in a looooong time and imagine that he is putting it forward to Suzie ! ! !

“Private Calvin, report to the mess hall at zero dark thirty for a 18 hours of fun and frolic…NOT!

Yeah, at recess I rarely joined in the kickball games (kickball works just like baseball). I usually used that time to just cut loose and run around a bit. (We didn’t have an actual playground back then; just a blacktop and a couple of baseball fields.)

If Calvin hates organization, high school is going to be a nightmare for him.

Been there; had that done to me. :) :(

After my brief stint in the military, I went for the non-shouting jobs and individual sports.

“Calvin, you were doing 90 mph in a 40 mph zone after taking something you didn’t pay for.”

Calvin: “I hate rules. Stop yelling at me and telling me what to do”.

Is this their first date?

In my case I got out of high school sports by volunteering to paint a mural.

That’s a Great point about organized sports, Calvin!

Could just get married instead.

Add this strip to the top ten excuses, guess we see Calvin has something for Susie.

okay WTF

I really worry about the young generation these days whose every minute is planned and directed… there’s gonna be some blowback sooner or later

He has a point.

In 6th grade, our class had a nice little softball game going, coed, fun, casual. The other 6th grade class wanted to challenge us, but changed all the rules. No girls allowed, forced boys who didn’t want to play, and became formal. Took all the fun out of it.

This is one of those rare times when I am in total agreement with Calvin. … I know, right?!?

Episode 304