Let's go exploring

I've been enjoying a daily dose of old Calvin and Hobbes strips via email from UComics.com for a long time now. And my copy of the Tenth Anniversary Book is beginning to look pretty shabby from years of re-reading.

Now, in conjunction with the release of the hefty "The Complete Calvin and Hobbes" book set, Slate provides an excellent overview titled "The last great newspaper comic strip" that does a good job of explaining what made C&H so special. (Be sure to click the slideshow link).

One of the things I love about the "Tenth Anniversary" book is the accompanying text from creator Bill Watterson. Not only does he discuss the stories behind some of the strips, but he provides fascinating explanations of his reasons for ending the strip and for not permitting any licensed products (other than book collections). He's also very candid about his frequent battles with his publisher Universal Press Syndicate -- it's surprising to read about these in a book that they themselves have published.

When the strip ended 10 years ago, Watterson disappeared from public view, making virtually no appearances and granting no interviews since then. (He did recently answer a few questions from fans as part of the promotion for the current book). Even his current city of residence is pretty much unknown. But it so happens that his publisher, now called Andrews McMeel, is headquartered in the same building as my employer. I know a couple of people who work there, and I often see them in the lunchroom, conducting meetings and treating visitors. So I've considered that perhaps one day I'll spot Mr. Watterson there. Sure it's an extremely slim possibility, but hey, it's a magical world.