This book was published in conjunction with the first exhibition of original Calvin and Hobbes Sunday pages at The Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library. Although the work was created for reproduction, not for gallery display, was a pleasure to see the cartoonist’s carefully placed lines and exquisite brush strokes. In an attempt to share this experience with those who were unable to visit the exhibition, all of the original Sunday pages displayed are reproduced in color in this book so that every detail, such as sketch lines, corrections, and registration marks, are visible. On the opposite page the same comic strip is printed in full color. Because Watterson was unusually intentional and creative in his use of color, this juxtaposition provides Calvin and Hobbes readers the opportunity to consider the impact of color on its narrative and content.
Reprint books of Calvin and Hobbes are nice to have, but the opportunity to see the original work and read Bill Watterson’s thoughts about it is a privilege. He generously shared not only the art, but also his time and his thoughts. When I first reviewed the works included in the exhibit, I knew that everyone who visited it would begin with laughter and end with tears.
- Andrews McMeel, September 2001
- ISBN 9780740721359
- 10.7″ x 9.5″, 96 pages
- $16.99 USD
- Order online: Amazon
The first collection of original Watterson art, complete with an introduction and footnotes by the cartoonist. Plus a preface by the exhibit’s curator. All at a very reasonable price in a modest package.
No, these aren’t at original size, but at 10.7″ x 9.5″ we’re able to see a significant amount of detail in the original art.
Scans are mostly clear: on a few strips there is some blur or softness. Blacks show gradients throughout. Correction fluid here and there. Tape on the earlier strips for syndication information.
Design and layout are quite basic. There is only text on the title page, colophon and selected bibliography. Watterson’s introduction is printed only on the right pages with a solid khaki page on the left. For the main body, original art on the left and printed strip on the right. Watterson’s comments underneath. There may be a statement there regarding the introduction only on one side, or they had some pages to fill.
Production is serviceable. Heavy glossy paper in a glued softcover binding. Folds on the front and back a little off the spine allow the book to open without working the glue. The book doesn’t lay flat. At $16.99 it’s a solid value.
This is a nice book for Watterson fans, to contrast and compare the original art to the published work. Watterson’s insights regarding the strips shines as a highlight.
