Who DOESN’T love animals?

Know what I’m a fan of? Anthropomorphised cartoon animals.

I’m really not sure what made me think of it, but I really do have a soft spot for pretty much any cartoon animal with human characteristics. I qould think that Disney movies may have a small part to play here, not to mention all of the 90’s cartoons that I used to watch.

It all really started with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. By far my favorite group of violent reptiles. I’m aware that the original versions of these rapscallions were from the comic book. I also know that they are very different from their mainstream, cartoon format. Different still in their two excellent live action movies, and one horrid attempt at a third live action movie. My favorites are definitely the cartoon version, with the live action ones following closely behind.

Box art of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There’s just something awesome about human-sized turtles that talk like they’re from California and know martial arts. You’ll never convince me otherwise. The cartoon version was really made to sell merchandise, and I can say that it worked. Brilliantly I  might add. I didn’t even mind spending money. Well, making my parents spend money anyway.

Next in line would be the Disney cartoon movies with all their talking animals. These movies formed a foundation in my child hood that had me expecting every creature to be my future best friend or adviser. It didn’t happen that way.

There were definitely a lot of Disney licensed cartoon television series that I enjoyed as well. Darkwing Duck, and Chip and Dale’s Rescue Rangers being among my favorites. Oh! can’t forget Talespin either. And Duck Tales! Ah fond memories of youth.

As I got older, I had an Aunt introduce me to Calvin and Hobbes. As a young adult I really latched on to the idea of a boy and his live tiger companion. It only made Hobbes that much better that the grown ups couldn’t see what he truly was. I always wanted a tiger.

After a while, I began to appreciate some of the more complex themes of Calvin and Hobbes. Never has there been such a beautifully written and drawn comic strip with such gravitas. I never stopped wanting my own Hobbes though.

 

Ink (In Which I Appreciate Art)

I wrote about Calvin an Hobbes not too long ago.

I rekindled my own love of that crazy kid and his lovable tiger. I have to insist that if you have never read any Calvin and Hobbes comic strips, you go find some and read them. For most people, not only will you be entertained, but also your mind will = BLOWN.

Bill Watterson manages to create an endearing child full of all the exuberance and innocence that we all experienced at some point. His best friend is a stuffed tiger that becomes real when no one else is around. While Calvin embodies impulsiveness and childlike wonderment, Hobbes is a realist with teenage-like knowledge and worldviews.

They are a spectacular pair that can boil nearly any issue down to two opposing viewpoints that encompass the bulk of opinions. Wonderful commentary illustrated in an almost watercolor and ink fashion that only enhances the presentation of concepts.

Bill Watterson is a genius. That’s why I’m considering Calvin and Hobbes if I ever get another tattoo.

Strange? A bit. Do I care? Not in the slightest.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a boy and his tiger to spend some time with.

-Christopher

Sad Panda (In Which I Am Not As Sad As I Sound)

Apparently, based on my previous post, as well as my lack of responsiveness during the day today, that I sounded sad. I didn’t mean to sound sad. I’m sorry all. I am sad that you thought I sounded sad.

Now, I will no longer be sad.

My recent inclusion of a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, by Bill Watterson, has reminded me how much I truly LOVE Calvin and his very real tiger, Hobbes.

If you have read Calvin and Hobbes, skip to the next paragraph(or keep reading, fine with me). For those of you that haven’t, the premise of the strip is that  6 year Calvin acquires a real tiger names Hobbes, that appears as a small stuffed tiger to everyone else. The catch is, some of the things that Hobbes does, couldn’t be accomplished by Calvin alone if he were just pretending his stuffed tiger were real.

Anyway, I love that kid and his tiger. I can’t lie, I’ve got a soft spot for tigers and anthropomorphic animals in general. Sometimes I think the animals bring a little something special to the table.

Alright, not really sure where I was going with this, but I’m content just lauding the merits of a great comic strip. If you haven’t read any Calvin and Hobbes, I strongly suggest you find some to read.

Do it right now.

-Christopher

I Think I Can, I Think I Can! (In Which I Try Harder)

I’m trying to make this blog more interesting and better for you all to read. I’ve been told a good way to do that is to include media. At some point in this post there will be a picture. You’ve been warned.

I’m also to understand that I’m supposed to mention that if you like this blog, I’m supposed to ask you to either check back every day, follow me through your WordPress account, or follow with WordPress’ new feature which should be near the bottom and offers you email updates. I’ll also be adding an email update link over with me RSS feed links.

I can’t promise how much better this will get, or how quickly, since I’m really pushing for a post a day this whole month of October. So far so good. Currently it’s quantity over quality, hopefully the quality will catch up soon.

So, in an effort to improve quality:

BAM!

Copyright and all other rights belong to Bill Watterson

Check that out! Image! Calvin and Hobbes is about as high quality as you can get. I also feel it’s my obligation to answer Calvin’s question here:

When you’re bad. No question.

I always enjoy taking a poke a Pittsburgh. I suppose I’ll warn you now; I am unapologetically a Cleveland sports fan. Feel free to leave if that’s a problem.

Now that we’ve gotten rid of those nasty Pittsburgh fans, I feel obligated to mention that I’m to understand it’s a very nice city with a beautiful baseball stadium. Couldn’t let those Squealer fans hear me giving the city any credit though.

Ah. That’s better. Quality has been upped a little, I’ve insulted Pittsburgh football, added some controversy, and celebrated a wonderful comic strip drawn by a Cleveland artist(Bill Watterson is from Chagrin Falls).

I feel accomplished this evening.

-Christopher

P.S. Expect more Calvin and Hobbes at some point. That kid and his tiger are just the best.