Something I like about Calvin and Hobbes was how I was able to change from "reading it because its funny" to "reading it to make me think" without really noticing it.
My favorite "arc" is when Calvin finds the dying raccoon, takes him in to try and save him, the raccoon dying, and realizing that even though he's sad that the he died, he's still glad to have met him while he had the chance.
Calvin coming to terms with death, and realizing that even though fatalism is basically the only inevitable outcome in the long-term, it's important to enjoy life now and enjoy the current relationships we have is enough to get me teary-eyed (even to this day), and has greatly shaped my outlook on life, since I read it when I was really young.
It's a great comic, and despite centering on a child, it does a really good job at using that kind of innocence as a means to make a commentary. Watterson resisted the urge to talk about politics or pop-culture, and instead focus on people, and as a result the comic will always be timeless to me
I think that one spoke to a lot of people - it certainly speaks to me. I agree with your reading, but the last line also always said to me: it's okay to look at something awful and call it as such. We can acknowledge it and move on.
Watterson highlighted that arc in his 10th anniversary collection (which is a really wonderful collection of essays and explanations side by side with strips). It happened relatively early into the comic strip's life and IIRC he regarded it as a turning point in Calvin & Hobbes's ability to move beyond gags and handle weightier topics.
Thank you for sharing! I know this exact arc very well and have referenced it a few times in my life (sent to friends, talked about it, etc). Death is not usually an easy topic, so when this arc is relevant, but maybe not to death, I use it to discuss what is finite.
Personally, I found the the more I looked at concept of most/all things being finite, the more appreciation for those things, people, moments, food, jobs, projects, etc I have. I haven't become a mindful monk by any stretch, but it has both shaped and improved my outlook in many ways.
Even "The Simpsons" has this quality, at least the first 9 seasons or so. Even if you had no idea about the cultural references and the jabs at American culture, the situational comedy was still worth watching. Eventually you figure out all the references and jibes and the show becomes even more enjoyable.
My favorite "arc" is when Calvin finds the dying raccoon, takes him in to try and save him, the raccoon dying, and realizing that even though he's sad that the he died, he's still glad to have met him while he had the chance.
Calvin coming to terms with death, and realizing that even though fatalism is basically the only inevitable outcome in the long-term, it's important to enjoy life now and enjoy the current relationships we have is enough to get me teary-eyed (even to this day), and has greatly shaped my outlook on life, since I read it when I was really young.
It's a great comic, and despite centering on a child, it does a really good job at using that kind of innocence as a means to make a commentary. Watterson resisted the urge to talk about politics or pop-culture, and instead focus on people, and as a result the comic will always be timeless to me