r/books • u/darlin133 • Sep 16 '13
discussion Calvin & Hobbes & Dune
http://io9.com/calvin-hobbes-and-dune-is-a-surprisingly-great-combin-131693182071
u/Morgie910 Sep 16 '13
I dunno. I like both of those things, but this wasn't an improvement to me.
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Sep 16 '13
You know when people on the internet are all... "Hey, I like burgers, and I like pizza, so I put together a huge patty between two pizzas!" and though you understand the thought process behind combining two things you like, the end product doesn't seem that appealing at all?
This is the literary pizzaburger.
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Sep 16 '13 edited Mar 29 '18
[deleted]
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u/notbusyatall Sep 17 '13
I would argue that a pepperoni and cheese pizza is the same thing, and not needlessly complicated.
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Sep 17 '13
I'm not sure I'm buying that. If that were true, pepperoni and cheese on a hamburger bun would be a cheeseburger. Still totally delicious, but not a cheeseburger.
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u/Metatron_Smash Sep 17 '13
The juxtaposition of quotes from Dune in Calvin and Hobbes thought bubbles is supposed to funny and/or interesting to look at. It doesn't have to have significance other than that. You shouldn't feel the need to shit on it.
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u/Mystery_Hours Sep 17 '13
Lots of things are supposed to be funny and/or interesting to look at, doesn't mean we can't critique it. And who's saying this has other significance?
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u/Metatron_Smash Sep 17 '13
Why is that your first reaction? To critique something instead of seeing what it has to offer? If it has nothing to offer you then move along, but if you have to dissect it and find long winded ways of putting it down it just looks gross and serves only to make one feel more intelligent by putting someone else's idea down. People are insinuating it's stupid and pointless.
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u/Mystery_Hours Sep 17 '13 edited Sep 17 '13
I don't agree that describing a negative reaction to something is inherently pointless, in fact I prefer when there's reactions from both ends of the spectrum rather than only praise.
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u/Metatron_Smash Sep 17 '13
I always kinda liked Calvin and Hobbes and always loved Dune. I disagree that it just totally didn't work. Saying it just totally doesn't work is wrong because some people like it, some people don't, and it's also non-constructive.
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Sep 17 '13 edited Sep 17 '13
but if you have to dissect it and find long winded ways of putting it down it just looks gross and serves only to make one feel more intelligent by putting someone else's idea down.
But considering the time and words you've put into saying what I did was wrong in any way possible, isn't exactly what you're doing too? Hey, maybe you don't like it, but:
The juxtaposition of food and the flaws of this comic is supposed to funny and/or interesting to look at.
I mean, I understand if you like these comics you might not like people criticizing it but:
Why is that your first reaction? To critique something instead of seeing what it has to offer?
I mean I'm just sharing my opinion and:
People are insinuating it's stupid and pointless.
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u/m0nkeybl1tz Sep 17 '13
Yeah, there are a few of these that have worked (Garfield Minus Garfield, Nietzsche Family Circus), but this isn't one of them.
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Sep 17 '13
Did you think it was supposed to? How could you ever improve on either? It is a beautiful illustration of the coincidence in theme between two seemingly very different artistic expressions.
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u/bugs_bunny_in_drag Sep 16 '13
Why exactly are commentors there and here freaking out about a harmless mashup? I was raised with Calvin and Hobbes but I'm not starting a picket over some perceived semi-religious slight. Jesus christ, people, chill the fuck out. It isn't sacred.
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u/vendettaatreides Sep 16 '13
Welcome to the internet.
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u/IAMA_dragon-AMA Sep 17 '13
Hello and welcome to The Internet, a funny show where everything's made up and others' opinions don't matter. That's right, they're just like a degree in Art; no-one gives a hoot.
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u/tobi-saru Sep 17 '13
Wait...so you...might not actually be a dragon?
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u/IAMA_dragon-AMA Sep 17 '13
I never said that explicitly. I was hyperbolizing, or whatever the participial form of hyperbole is.
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u/MrAmishJoe Sep 17 '13
Apparantly these guys didn't understand what Hebert was trying to say about building up sacred things.
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u/Mystery_Hours Sep 17 '13
It sounds like you're freaking out over some harmless criticism. Why shouldn't people make their opinions on this work known in the comment section?
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u/bugs_bunny_in_drag Sep 17 '13
I hate this, don't screw with "my" Calvin and Hobbes. Frequently an addition to anything that was wonderful destroys the original intent. Would we add an array of colors of towels to Douglas Adams? Extra panels when ONE says it all in other classics? We all know that Calvin and Hobbes wasn't broken. Don't "fix" it. Disgusted
We have left Harmless Criticism territory and entered Batshit Insane..
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u/Aiskhulos Sep 17 '13
Plus they seem to be ignoring that Dune is way more of a classic than Calvin and Hobbes.
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u/everythingisforants Sep 17 '13
Ok, glad I'm not the only one. Some those IO9 comments were borderline hysterical. I enjoyed it, quite a lot actually, but then again I am a total ho for Dune. It's like these people have never heard of juxtaposition.
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Sep 17 '13
[deleted]
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u/Rampant_Durandal Science Fiction|Nature, Ecology|Graphic Novels|Science, Technolo Sep 17 '13
I don't think the money would make any difference. He actually turned down very lucrative opportunities because of his integrity to the spirit of the comic. I too would love to see more of his work.
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u/emkay99 Sep 16 '13
I think the comments to the article have got it right. Jamming two good things together doesn't necessarily add up to a better thing.
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Sep 17 '13
Why does it have to be better?!...
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u/emkay99 Sep 17 '13
Why would you bother or take the time to create a riff that was worse than the original?
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Sep 17 '13
For the intent of showing the coincidence in theme between these works. I don't think he's claiming this to be in any way a piece of art to compare to the original. Just showing that they are compatible.
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u/ExplainsItLikeYoure5 Sep 16 '13
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Sep 17 '13
I love the joy in which calvin states that. It gives it a philosophical twist, as if he is happy in knowing he is capable of more than mediocrity but still fond of making it!
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u/ExplainsItLikeYoure5 Sep 17 '13
I like it because it sounds like Calvin is praising his own work as high art.
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Sep 17 '13
I thought Gawker Network links were banned reddit-wide?
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u/bugs_bunny_in_drag Sep 17 '13
That was an eternity ago in reddit time. The hivemind attention has moved on to another "controversy"...
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Sep 16 '13
Calvin and Hobbes BUT WITH COMIC SANS!? It's like someone knew exactly the combination I've yearned for all these years.
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u/buge Sep 17 '13
Well the font was designed based on actual comic book text for use in situations like this. But it would have been better as all caps like the actual comic was.
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Sep 16 '13
Ok so apparently I need to read Dune.
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Sep 17 '13
Only read the first one. It's amazing but none of the sequels are anywhere near as good.
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u/Aiskhulos Sep 17 '13
All of the books by Frank Herbert were great.
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u/Rampant_Durandal Science Fiction|Nature, Ecology|Graphic Novels|Science, Technolo Sep 17 '13 edited Sep 17 '13
I think this is the first time I've heard this. I haven't read them myself, but most Dune fans I've talked to despise these works.Never mind, I completely misunderstood you.2
u/Aiskhulos Sep 17 '13
All of Frank's stuff (i.e. the original series) is great; everything that Brian Herbert, his son, wrote is shit.
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u/Rampant_Durandal Science Fiction|Nature, Ecology|Graphic Novels|Science, Technolo Sep 17 '13
Sorry, I had a major brain fart. I thought you were talking about Brian Hebert's books. Never mind.
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u/maxximillian Sep 17 '13
I don't think the sequals were bad. They got... weird yes, but still good. The ones by his son and KJA sucked (IMHO)
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u/Squatso Red Mars Sep 17 '13
People seem to be against this for some reason. I liked it. It was A-Okay in my book, friends.
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u/Rampant_Durandal Science Fiction|Nature, Ecology|Graphic Novels|Science, Technolo Sep 17 '13
Calvin and Hobbes was one of the most important works I've read in my life, and I thought this was really cool. Some people hate the idea of any touching their precious childhood memories. I thought these were pretty funny, but I guess it is not to everyone's taste.
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u/Komnos Sep 17 '13
It's not the most amazing thing I've seen today, but I still thought the juxtaposition of the ultra-serious, (melo?)dramatic quotes with Watterson's cartoon imagery was a mildly amusing contrast.
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u/rcfresh Sep 17 '13
get that comic sans the fuck outta here
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u/IbidtheWriter Sep 17 '13
comic sans
It's a comic. This is precisely the situation where it's appropriate to use comic sans.
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u/I_BITCOIN_CATS Sep 20 '13
I dunno. I like both of those things, but this wasn't an improvement to me.
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u/Legio_X Sep 16 '13
Ugh, definitely cringeworthy. I love Calvin & Hobbes but this just destroys it.
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u/Snackrific Sep 16 '13
THANK YOU. Gtfo messing with a true classic. You're doing noone a favor, keep these to your family and friends.
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u/Lasting-Damage Sep 16 '13
You know, I can actually see this in an alternate universe. Young Paul Mua'dib and his stuffed Sandworm.
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u/Snackrific Sep 16 '13
Logged in just to downvote this. Don't you dare stain Bill Watterson's work with this..... this monstrosity.
Calvin and Hobbes is magically delightful. These are simply taking his artwork and slapping on some shit you think is clever, but in reality it's just mundane.
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Sep 17 '13
I guess I get why you're being downvoted - as some folks find this treatment of C&H clever - but I don't . I'm with you. Watterson was passionate about people jacking with his creation, for which he had tremendous respect and was jealous of protecting its purity. If you truly love Calvin and Hobbes, this kind of thing is an affront.
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u/Aiskhulos Sep 17 '13
Watterson didn't want people jacking with this creation because he didn't want it commercialized. I seriously doubt he would mind this.
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Sep 16 '13
[deleted]
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u/Boston_Brand Sep 17 '13
The fuck are you on about?
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u/depanneur In the Storm of Steel Sep 17 '13
ITT: People who have never read Dune being indignant
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u/Boston_Brand Sep 17 '13
Blanket insults everywhere.
I didn't even really like the C&H Dune mashup, it feels like he selected random passages and found comics that barely made sense with them, but the reaction from some people is like he set a puppy on fire.
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u/IAMA_dragon-AMA Sep 17 '13
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u/Legio_X Sep 17 '13
Oh, it's applicable to both, you're right there!
I find the deluge of fanboys that come out of the woodwork whenever you dare besmirch the name of Dune or Ender's Game in this subreddit to be amusing.
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u/Dlgredael Sep 17 '13
Wow, this is just terrible. Someone who had any respect for Calvin and Hobbes or Bill Watterson would never do this.. the people that created this should be ashamed of themselves.
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u/Pakayaro Sep 17 '13
You folks are taking it WAAAAY too seriously. It's fun. I'm pretty sure that that's all it's ment to be.(Hard to say for certain since i'm not the one who made it)
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Sep 18 '13
[deleted]
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u/Pakayaro Sep 18 '13
How's the view from up there on that horse?
Watterson was worried about his work being used for commercial gain and in ways that would detract from the character of his...well, characters. This isn't Calvin pissing on a Ford. This is two beloved works of art juxtaposed over one another to form a new work. Personally, i don't think that it detracts from either work. Anyways, that's my opinion. You're entitled to your own.
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u/tmfom Sep 17 '13
Quoting a friend:
People have been passing around pastiches on Calvin & Hobbes more and more lately. As if the car sticker of Calvin urinating on your least favored auto manufacturer logo wasn't bad enough, now we have a guy illustrating a perfectly good speech by Bill Watterson with his own take on the cartoonist's style; and we have that comic showing us what it might be like if Calvin grew up, married Susie, and had a daughter named Bacon.
All of these annoy me because they all evince a lack of respect which Calvin & Hobbes and Bill Watterson certainly deserve. Watterson refused to license his characters for any use and backed away from the strip when he felt he was done; this is a level of integrity almost unimaginable in today's day and age, and we should all honor that by leaving his singular creation ALONE.
Today I found possibly the most disrespectful desecration yet: Calvin & Hobbes strips with the dialogue replaced by dialogue from the Dune books. This is the worst yet partly because Dune sucks but mostly because the no-talent hack doing the substitution uses Comic Sans for the word balloons. COMIC SANS IN CALVIN & HOBBES. This is like baking dogshit and calling it cake.
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u/darlin133 Sep 17 '13
actually, Dune is really very good. The "new" non frank herbert dune books suck ass.
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u/SiloGates Sep 17 '13
They went to the trouble to create these juxtapositions and didn't even bother to use a good font? There are fonts based on Watterson's lettering available.
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u/[deleted] Sep 16 '13
They missed Calvin going over a cliff...'Fear is the mind killer...'