You know what I love most about Bill Watterson, even more than his absolute genius at comics and amazing insight? The fact that he was never interested on making a bajillion dollars through merchandising. He was regularly offered to have companies make everything from plush Hobbes toys to Saturday morning cartoons and he turned them all down. He could have been as rich as Jim Davis (net worth $5.8 billion) but he cared about Calvin and Hobbes too much. And then, one day, he decided he didn’t want to do it anymore before it got stale. So he quit.
So much respect for that guy.
Incidentally, a book just came out that he did the illustrations for. I haven’t read it myself.
You’re right; he wasn’t greedy, so Calvin and Hobbes stayed pure. That’s why it never got yucky. Glad to know about the new book. Thanks for the head’s up!
All the more reason I respect him. He cared how he wanted his characters to be used even at the expense of what who knows how many other people wanted.
Also it would have defeated the purpose of the story. Hobbes was a generic tiger doll, not anything magical or secret in itself. The point was that Calvin’s wild imagination brought Hobbes and everything else in his fantasies to vivid life, and selling an “official” Hobbes doll would have flown in the face of that. The heart and soul of Watterson’s story suggests that any kid could have their own Hobbes-style adventures with any toy they happened to have and love and give life, not that they needed their parents to buy them the “real” Hobbes.
I think of this every time I see a pickup with a window decal of Calvin peeing on the opposing truck Brand’s logo. They are so common and all unauthorized usage! Also it’s way more childish than Calvin would ever do.
This is why I proudly have Stupendous Man tattooed on my body. The comic had such a profound role in my childhood. It’s an honor to have such a special character on my skin, along with other important reminders of who I am as a person. Watterson is a hero for expanding the meaning of imagination.
Because a tattoo is created by a tattoo artist, a skilled worker who is paid (relatively) well. A tattoo is unique and cannot be duplicated or resold.
A T-shirt and coffee mug are manufactured in a sweatshop by a multinational corporation, and have no inherent value beyond the value of the IP itself.
It’s the difference between having a personal appreciation for Watterson’s comics, and exploiting their value to sell useless junk. Do you honestly think Watterson would be upset about a long time fan getting a tattoo of Calvin? I highly doubt it.
You know what I love most about Bill Watterson, even more than his absolute genius at comics and amazing insight? The fact that he was never interested on making a bajillion dollars through merchandising. He was regularly offered to have companies make everything from plush Hobbes toys to Saturday morning cartoons and he turned them all down. He could have been as rich as Jim Davis (net worth $5.8 billion) but he cared about Calvin and Hobbes too much. And then, one day, he decided he didn’t want to do it anymore before it got stale. So he quit.
So much respect for that guy.
Incidentally, a book just came out that he did the illustrations for. I haven’t read it myself.
https://publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/book/the-mysteries/
You’re right; he wasn’t greedy, so Calvin and Hobbes stayed pure. That’s why it never got yucky. Glad to know about the new book. Thanks for the head’s up!
Where did you get this figure? I can only find sources with figure about $800 million.
Ah! Sorry! I looked up the wrong Jim Davis. Apparently there is also a really rich Jim Davis who runs New Balance footwear.
Still, $800 million is filthy rich.
There’s also a Jim Davis who’s a professional MTG player and content creator. I’m sure he’s no billionaire though.
Why are there so many Jim Davi? Did someone leave the factory running?
I think the correct plural is Jim Davises or Jims Davis. I think Jim Daves may also be acceptable.
Jim Davi.
I mean…have we ever seen them all in one place at the same time?
no prob. that explains it.
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Admit it though, we all would have wanted a Hobbes plushy.
All the more reason I respect him. He cared how he wanted his characters to be used even at the expense of what who knows how many other people wanted.
Also it would have defeated the purpose of the story. Hobbes was a generic tiger doll, not anything magical or secret in itself. The point was that Calvin’s wild imagination brought Hobbes and everything else in his fantasies to vivid life, and selling an “official” Hobbes doll would have flown in the face of that. The heart and soul of Watterson’s story suggests that any kid could have their own Hobbes-style adventures with any toy they happened to have and love and give life, not that they needed their parents to buy them the “real” Hobbes.
I think of this every time I see a pickup with a window decal of Calvin peeing on the opposing truck Brand’s logo. They are so common and all unauthorized usage! Also it’s way more childish than Calvin would ever do.
Calving praying is worse.
This is why I proudly have Stupendous Man tattooed on my body. The comic had such a profound role in my childhood. It’s an honor to have such a special character on my skin, along with other important reminders of who I am as a person. Watterson is a hero for expanding the meaning of imagination.
I feel like that’s the kind of commodification Watterson would have frowned upon.
A tattoo is not an example of commodification at all. It’s a piece of artwork, not a mass-produced plushie toy.
Yes it is. He went and paid for a licensed image for which he did not have the rights, with the intention of displaying it to society.
That’s the epitome of commodification.
The idea that tattoos are personal and therefore don’t count as commodities is bogus. Personal effects are still very much commodities.
If Watterson didn’t want Calvin and Hobbes on a t shirt or a coffee mug, why would you think he wants it on a tattoo?
Because a tattoo is created by a tattoo artist, a skilled worker who is paid (relatively) well. A tattoo is unique and cannot be duplicated or resold.
A T-shirt and coffee mug are manufactured in a sweatshop by a multinational corporation, and have no inherent value beyond the value of the IP itself.
It’s the difference between having a personal appreciation for Watterson’s comics, and exploiting their value to sell useless junk. Do you honestly think Watterson would be upset about a long time fan getting a tattoo of Calvin? I highly doubt it.
What about the millions of American cars that have pissing Calvin bumper stickers
Not legally licensed.
https://triviahappy.com/articles/the-tasteless-history-of-the-peeing-calvin-decal#.U7R2vkJdVR4
Sad!