Dear Mr. Watterson...

Regular readers know that I have a special place in my heart for Calvin and Hobbes.  I don’t obsess, but I do use it as the wallpaper on various things like my cell phone and I have some of the books.  And yes, I made a point of sharing this wonderful world with young people in my family who never heard of it.  But there is no truth to the rumor that I have Calvin and Hobbes Underoos...

So if you loved the comic strip, too, then you might also enjoy this, a documentary about Calvin and Hobbes that is coming (associated with this site):

I think in truth the comic is not so much for the young as for adults remembering what it is like to be young, which is also how I see the book Peter Pan.  Peter Pan is on the surface a kid’s story, but in reality it is a story for adults about being kids.

Anyway, if you never heard of it and want an introduction, I suspect this documentary is not the way for you.  I would suggest the simplest way is just to go to the bookstore and pick up one of the collections.  It is a testament to how great the comic is that I can write with confidence that if you go there, it will be there.  This how popular the comics still are, that it makes economic sense for a bookstore to keep a few of their books in stock, even twenty years after the comic ended.  Or for that matter, that it still inspires fan art like this:

(source)

So far it doesn’t look like Bill Watterson (the comic’s creator, pictured right) is involved very much.  But I do remember about five years ago that he did an emailed “interview” with a newspaper as I mentioned here.  Reading the interview again, I was amused by this smack at the old media:

How soon after the U.S. Postal Service issues the Calvin stamp will you send a letter with one on the envelope?

Immediately. I'm going to get in my horse and buggy and snail-mail a check for my newspaper subscription.

So we will apparently see a Calvin and Hobbes movie.  Of course some might think that if we are going to get a Calvin and Hobbes movie, it should be more like this...

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Disclaimer:

I have accused some people, particularly Brett Kimberlin, of reprehensible conduct.  In some cases, the conduct is even criminal.  In all cases, the only justice I want is through the appropriate legal process—such as the criminal justice system.  I do not want to see vigilante violence against any person or any threat of such violence.  This kind of conduct is not only morally wrong, but it is counter-productive.

In the particular case of Brett Kimberlin, I do not want you to even contact him.  Do not call him.  Do not write him a letter.  Do not write him an email.  Do not text-message him.  Do not engage in any kind of directed communication.  I say this in part because under Maryland law, that can quickly become harassment and I don’t want that to happen to him.

And for that matter, don’t go on his property.  Don’t sneak around and try to photograph him.  Frankly try not to even be within his field of vision.  Your behavior could quickly cross the line into harassment in that way too (not to mention trespass and other concerns).

And do not contact his organizations, either.  And most of all, leave his family alone.

The only exception to all that is that if you are reporting on this, there is of course nothing wrong with contacting him for things like his official response to any stories you might report.  And even then if he tells you to stop contacting him, obey that request.  That this is a key element in making out a harassment claim under Maryland law—that a person asks you to stop and you refuse.

And let me say something else.  In my heart of hearts, I don’t believe that any person supporting me has done any of the above.  But if any of you have, stop it, and if you haven’t don’t start.