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https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/30/the-mysteries-bill-watterson-book-review https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/30/the-mysteries-... I've rea

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/30/the-mysteries-bill-watterson-book-review https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/10/30/the-mysteries-... I've read, many times (it's a very short read), M. Watterson's (and his friend's John Kascht) latest work, "The Mysteries", and I very much like it. It's a multifaceted fable that explores, among other things, the tension between curiosity and control, and the allure and danger of technological progress. "The Mysteries" takes a more somber and philosophical approach, and its graphical style is radically different from C&H's, but I think it still shares with C&H a deep appreciation for the mysteries of life and the power of imagination to enrich our understanding of the world.

ZeroGravitas 2y ago
There's a YouTube video with the two creators discussing their process on the book: https://youtube.com/watch?v=HHND7L1wUl0 https://youtube.com/watch?v=HHND7L1wUl0
- mysterydip 2y ago
  I was excited for the chance to finally see Watterson's face, as the only picture of him I've seen is from the 80s, but the interview only shows the hands of both of them.
  - gammarator 2y ago
    It cracks me up how much he looks like “Dad” in the strip in those 80s photos.
  - fragmede 2y ago
    That is the only photo of him!
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
acomjean 2y ago
I’ve read the “mysteries” book too, and would recommend. I think it’s the first book from Waterson since stopping Calvin and Hobbs. It’s quite different from Calvin and Hobbs, heavier but really thought provoking. I found myself thinking about the story after the fact.
- TheAmazingRace 2y ago
  To each their own, but the book would never have sold any copies if Bill's name wasn't attached to it. I purchased a copy on Amazon and thought I was hoodwinked. It felt like a pure cash grab.
  - savanaly 2y ago
    Can't believe someone would look at the art in The Mysteries and call it a cash grab. It oozes personality and thoughtfulness. It's true it wouldn't have sold any copies if his name weren't attached though.
    - TheAmazingRace 2y ago
      The art certainly was sorta-interesting (if not weirdly AI-gen looking), but somehow I expected more for his out of the blue return after decades being off the radar.
  - barbecue_sauce 2y ago
    Did you just, like, purchase it without having any concept of what it was? It's certainly different from Calvin and Hobbes, but there was no indication that it wouldn't be. Making a fairly artistic book with niche appeal is actually the opposite of a cash grab.
    - TheAmazingRace 2y ago
      Perhaps. But I get the sense from folks here that anyone who once did massive hits (like Calvin and Hobbes) are simply beyond reproach, which is ridiculous to me. Even as an art book, the art feels weirdly AI-like to me and not particularly special. Again, personal opinion. I thought it was overrated for what it was. Everyone is free to buy it to support him though if they feel differently about it.

ZeroGravitas 2y ago

There's a YouTube video with the two creators discussing their process on the book: https://youtube.com/watch?v=HHND7L1wUl0 https://youtube.com/watch?v=HHND7L1wUl0

mysterydip 2y ago
I was excited for the chance to finally see Watterson's face, as the only picture of him I've seen is from the 80s, but the interview only shows the hands of both of them.
- gammarator 2y ago
  It cracks me up how much he looks like “Dad” in the strip in those 80s photos.
- fragmede 2y ago
  That is the only photo of him!
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

acomjean 2y ago

I’ve read the “mysteries” book too, and would recommend. I think it’s the first book from Waterson since stopping Calvin and Hobbs. It’s quite different from Calvin and Hobbs, heavier but really thought provoking. I found myself thinking about the story after the fact.

TheAmazingRace 2y ago
To each their own, but the book would never have sold any copies if Bill's name wasn't attached to it. I purchased a copy on Amazon and thought I was hoodwinked. It felt like a pure cash grab.
- savanaly 2y ago
  Can't believe someone would look at the art in The Mysteries and call it a cash grab. It oozes personality and thoughtfulness. It's true it wouldn't have sold any copies if his name weren't attached though.
  - TheAmazingRace 2y ago
    The art certainly was sorta-interesting (if not weirdly AI-gen looking), but somehow I expected more for his out of the blue return after decades being off the radar.
- barbecue_sauce 2y ago
  Did you just, like, purchase it without having any concept of what it was? It's certainly different from Calvin and Hobbes, but there was no indication that it wouldn't be. Making a fairly artistic book with niche appeal is actually the opposite of a cash grab.
  - TheAmazingRace 2y ago
    Perhaps. But I get the sense from folks here that anyone who once did massive hits (like Calvin and Hobbes) are simply beyond reproach, which is ridiculous to me. Even as an art book, the art feels weirdly AI-like to me and not particularly special. Again, personal opinion. I thought it was overrated for what it was. Everyone is free to buy it to support him though if they feel differently about it.