Calvin & Hobbes question

Evan Case · 11-12-2003, 01:54 PM

After recently buying the mammoth Complete Far Side collection (among the best $81 I've ever spent), I've decided to catch up on my other favorite comic strip from the late-80s/early-90s, Calvin & Hobbes.

The only books I still own are the Tenth Anniversary and Attack of the Deranged Killer Monster Snow Goons (or some such title).

I know that the last 4-5 years (starting with Snow Goons) are only available in seperate, single editions, while the first 6 years were available individually and in a trio of Treasury editions (Essential, Indispesible, and Authorative). I've heard conflicting reports about the completeness of the Treasuries, some saying they include everything from the first six sets, others saying that they used only selected strips, with the real incentives being colorized Sunday strips, a small (though exclusive) cartoon, and a cheaper per-comic price.

So basically, my question is, do I have to buy each of the first six single sets to get all of the early syndicated strips, or will the Treasury sets cover the first six years completely?

Thanks.

Evan

P.S. Is there anything special about the two Sunday collections (Lazy Sunday and Sunday Strips 1985-1995) that would make them required purhases?

Mike SJ · 11-12-2003, 02:00 PM

I had found a site that posted every single comic of C&H by date but it looks as though youve done your research and have probably found that site [im assuming its the official web site]

Grant B · 11-12-2003, 03:11 PM

Last year the San Francisco Cartoon Museum had a C&H exhibit. Without a doubt it was the best time I ever had in a Museum. If you ever get a chance to see the originals, jump at it.

John Chow · 11-12-2003, 06:33 PM

Hmm...i'd always assumed (*key word*) that they contained the whole thing, but I could be wrong. I like the treasuries since they have the Sunday comics printed in color, and usually at the beginning contain a nice full page colored drawing, or an extended story.

btw, if you have any Half Price bookstores in your area you might be able to find some of these books cheap, and in some cases new as well.

Matthew Watson · 11-12-2003, 06:43 PM

I came across this link:http://www.reemst.com/calvin_and_hobbes/?page=books

a few weeks ago. It has the breakdowns of which books contain what strips, including the dates. There seems to be one missing strip in the entire run, otherwise it looks like the series is collected in its entirety.

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John_Berger · 11-12-2003, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Is there anything special about the two Sunday collections (Lazy Sunday and Sunday Strips 1985-1995) that would make them required purhases?

Color.

Evan Case · 11-12-2003, 07:34 PM

Thanks for that link, Matthew (I had to fiddle with the url to get it to work, though).

It appears that the treasury route is the best way to go to collect the first six years, as you get all of the strips, plus color Sundays, additional little stories, and a cheaper price. All that's really sacrificed is additional cover art, and some forewards/poems, minor drawings.

According to the link, the first Sunday book has an additional 10-page Spaceman Spiff story, while the latter compiles Watterson's favorite Sundays with commentary and early sketchwork.

Thanks, guys.

Evan

Evan Case · 11-12-2003, 07:53 PM

For all those still interested, this is taken directly from the owner of the huge C&H fan site Matthew linked:

Quote:

"I want to have all strips, which books do I need to buy?"

If you want to have the least amount of books, you'll need

The Essential Calvin and Hobbes
The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes
The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes
Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons
The Days are Just Packed
Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat
There's Treasure Everywhere
It's A Magical World

But in fact The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book is a must have as well .

Matthew Watson · 11-12-2003, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Thanks for that link, Matthew (I had to fiddle with the url to get it to work, though).

Dang URLs, anyway.

You're welcome, Evan.

Wouldn't it be great if Bill Watterson put out a C&H book a year? Sort of the stuff he was doing in the paperback collections where he did comic book or picture book style stories? Sure do dig (and miss) that strip.

Joseph DeMartino · 11-12-2003, 10:57 PM

I miss the strip, too. I wasn't aware of the web site; nice to have a comprehensive list that will let me get all the strips. (I have a couple of C&H books but there is significant overlap among the strips included.)

My two cats are named "Calvin" and "Hobbes". (But nobody ever manages to spell "Hobbes" correctly.

)

Regards,

Joe