Every once in a while I mention how I’ve learned from artists of the past, whether we are talking about fine art ,or illustration, or comics. One of my major inspirations in drawing comics is Bill Watterson, creator of the brilliantly unsurpassable Calvin and Hobbes.
So imagine my delight and envy when I read the post by Stephan Pastis (of Pearls Before Swine fame) where he relates the story of a project he recently did with Bill Watterson, which was brought to my attention on Twitter from Liam F. Walsh, cartoonist for The New Yorker. (And yes, I realize I am name-dropping like hell. Get over it.)
Of course, I had to let the pandas have their way with this story.
Excuse me, Mr. Watterson, but….
I’m sure that the panda kindergarten will..um…take very good care of Hobbes.
Be the Bear!
Bob T. Panda
Maybe the Panda Kindy can hide Hobbes with the lion cubs at NZ.
Pinky has another plan. :o)
Don’t you just love Bob’s eternal faith in the Panda kindergarten? Hope springs eternal! Love Pastis, especially when he draws himself.
I think that Bob’s eternal faith that the panda kindergarten will reform, is based on Charlie Brown’s faith that someday, Lucy will let him kick the football, and not pull it away. I was not a big fan of Pearls Before Swine when I would see it occasionally in the newspaper, but after binge reading all of his book collections of Pearls, I became a fan. I love when he draws and makes fun of himself. He also drops in the occasional fine art reference, which of course makes me laugh uncontrollably. His willingness to make absolutely abysmal puns also delights me no end.
Calvin and Hobbes, of course, is the most brilliant piece of writing and drawing to ever exist.
Oh no, I think the Panda Kindy is underestimating the deviousness of Calvin!! His antics may even give them a run for their money!
BTW, Mehitabel may love this morsel of news from Toronto: The tables have turned at the Toronto Zoo. Da Mao originally showed no interest in mating this year when Er Shun wanted to mate, but now it’s the other way around. Da Mao was seen today performing a series of acrobatic displays as he tried to urinate while pulling off a graceful handstand.
Of course, being the graceful gentle panda he is, Da Mao pulled it off, but we have to wonder: how far will he go in trying to impress Er Shun? In that sense, Da Mao is cutely relatable for a lot of human guys trying to impress their partners.
(“多伦多动物园熊猫大毛倒立撒尿诱二顺”. Dushi.ca. Jun 4 2014. News.
Thank you, Anna, for this very intriguing, not to mention useful bit of panda gossip. I shall make good use of it. (I can already hear a smidgeon of dialog in my head.
Hobbes and the Pandies in one strip? Life doesn’t hold many better things than this!
You are too kind. In my not so humble opinion, I think Calvin and Hobbes was the greatest cartoon strip ever drawn or written bar none. I think Hobbes will enjoy his hostage-ship at the hands of Pinky and the Meihems. I must practice my forgery skills. :o)
Abso-panda-lutely. Such clever writing, and such wonderfully expressive drawings. I just loved Hobbes’ laid back attitude to life and his timely grin. Some of my favourite strips were when Hobbes terrified Calvin by leaping out unexpectedly. Something I think the Mei Hem twins might be eminently capable of. Watch out, Pinky!
I think Hobbes and Calvin’s scuffles definitely have inspired the pandy kindy’s pile ups. I think I need to do another round of obsessive reading of Calvin and Hobbes to take the pandas to the next level. Watterson’s artistry in the service of his drawing is beyond equal. He definitely elevated comics to a new standard.
Calvin’s snowmen could give even the Panda Kindy a run for their money. I don’t know who scares me more… Calvin or the pandas.
They really need to learn that if you mess with the Hobbes, you get the Calvin.
The pandy kindy are completely fearless, especially the Meihem twins and Princess PinKy. I think the girls will take the kindy to new heights of naughty-ness. Are they a match for Calvin? Who knows.
Calvin’s snowmen are some of my favorite comics ever. (especially the car accident one.)
Oh I was hoping that your response to the report of Da Mao’s gymnastics would inspire a cartoon…I can hardly wait!
How can I resist the opportunity to make fun of boy pandas? Stay tuned. Tomorrow I will continue the story I started on Sunday. (Sorry, Inspector Panda…I promise I’ll get back to your story next week.)
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Princess Pinky & the Meihem Twins are fitting into the Panda Kindergarten wonderfully. It’s as if they were born for it 🙂
Pinky was a panda kindergarten first round draft pick, as you may remember. Personally, I think she will take the pandy kindy to new heights of…um…well, let’s just say she is a model of a modern panda kindergartener.
It remains to be seen if Lun Lun will allow the Meihems to continue to play with princess PINKY.