For the first time since 2005, cartoonist and ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ creator Bill Watterson has responded to emailed interview questions.
Over at Cleveland.com the reclusive artist gave another interview. He made it clear that he didn’t regret ending his popular strip 15-years ago at the height of his popularity.
Here’s an excerpt: “It’s always better to leave the party early. If I had rolled along with the strip’s popularity and repeated myself for another five, 10 or 20 years, the people now ‘grieving’ for ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ would be wishing me dead and cursing newspapers for running tedious, ancient strips like mine instead of acquiring fresher, livelier talent. And I’d be agreeing with them.”
Five years ago, Watterson was interviewed over email by fans about his work for “The Complete Calvin and Hobbes” (pictured, via). Here’s a quote: “The Internet may well provide a new outlet for cartoonists, but I imagine it’s very hard to stand out from the sea of garbage, attract a large audience, or make money. Newspapers are still the major leagues for comic strips…but I wouldn’t care to bet how long they’ll stay that way.”