From the Comics Division
I found a fascinating read about why Watterson retired, never to return (in a real way) to the medium of comics.
The article was some retread of the story I already know, about how the constant battles with the syndicate he signed on with for creative control and autonomy. However, the article shed some light on a few blind spots for me, specifically what he was like in college and the years in between graduation and CandH. And also the absolute GRIND is was to do Calvin and Hobbes at the level he was doing it for a decade.
I remember when Bill Watterson retired from Calvin and Hobbes. I was 17 or 18 years old and I just KNEW he was cooking up a project that was even better than Calvin and Hobbes to share with the world in a few years.
Well, those years came and went, and for almost 30 years I never quite forgave him for just dipping out (even though he left us with the most wonderful comic strip ever created).
This article gave me some closure and empathy for the guy. I get it, Bill. Live your life.
Read the whole article here: LINK
-Jake