Looking for Calvin and Hobbes

The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and his Revolutionary Comic Strip

By: Nevin Martell

Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

For ten years, Calvin and Hobbes was one the world's most beloved comic strips. And then, on the last day of 1995, the strip ended. Its mercurial and reclusive creator, Bill Watterson, not only finished the strip but withdrew entirely from public life.

In Looking for Calvin and Hobbes, Nevin Martell sets out on a very personal odyssey to understand the life and career of the intensely private man behind Calvin and Hobbes. Martell talks to a wide range of artists and writers (including Dave Barry, Harvey Pekar, and Brad Bird) as well as some of Watterson's closest friends and professional colleagues, and along the way reflects upon the nature of his own fandom and on the extraordinary legacy that Watterson left behind. This is as close as we're ever likely to get to one of America's most ingenious and intriguing figures - and it's the fascinating story of an intrepid author's search for him, too.

©2010 Nevin Martell (P)2014 ListenUp Production, LLC

Rich insights gained

Martell's research has helped the world to better understand the talented author of Calvin and Hobbes.
And to appreciate the difficulty of maintaining integrity amidst the powers of fame and marketing... good story. It labored a bit towards the end.

Fantastic

Nevin explores the amazing amount of work that went into Calvin and Hobbes. It is well organized story with many points of revelation.

Great Writing

Just what I was looking for in a book about Calvin and Hobbes and Bill Watterson

Thank you!

I, too, am a diehard fan of Calvin, Hobbes, and Bill W. This is a delightful book. I don’t blame Bill at all for being so reclusive. Fame and money have corrupted too many in our time. It takes a man of character to stand his ground like this comic genius has. I admire Bill W. greatly and love his work. He has a gift from God, which he has used well. Thank you for ferreting out a little more knowledge about this great comic strip and it’s creator.

Must listen!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! Bill Watterson is such an interesting person and I think Nevin Martell does a wonderful job of telling his story and sharing the frustrations fans have of not knowing more about the reclusive Watterson.

What about Jeremy Arthur’s performance did you like?

I loved Jeremy Arthur's voice throughout the entire audiobook. Sometimes narrators can be too monotone, especially in non-fiction, but I thought Jeremy Arthur was a perfect choice. I'll definitely be looking out for more of his work.

Any additional comments?

I like Calvin and Hobbes, but I'm not a superfan, so most of the information in this book was new to me. I know a lot of Watterson's fans will already know much of what is in the book, but I think Looking and Calvin and Hobbes has a little something for everyone - from casual Calvin and Hobbes readers to lifelong fans.

Calvinball!!!!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bill Watterson. This guy created one of the most popular comic strips ever and never wanted to turn the spotlight on himself. Try to picture him in a Hulu commercial with Seth MacFarlane...you can't.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES. But I didn't. This narrator is ridiculously easy to listen to.

Interesting, Fun, and Inspiring

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this to a friend. The story not only goes into great detail on the life of a comic strip legend. It also tells an interesting story of the history of comic strips in general.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked listening to Watterson's description and interpretations of specific pieces he's done. It's captivating hearing his motivation for a piece and where he draws inspiration.

Have you listened to any of Jeremy Arthur’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to other audiobooks by this narrator and I must say that this is one of his best. His delivery of the story is excellent and I definitely felt drawn in to the life and works of Watterson.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Into the mind of an American icon

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was a great listen and i definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Calvin and Hobbes or any comic strip for that matter.

Own the paperback but…

While recently up in Ohio where my son is at Kenyon I and he was done with me after helping him move into his dorm I decided to make a pilgrimage over to Chagrin Falls and this seemed like appropriate toad trip accompaniment and I was not disappointed

As the Ohio landscape meandered along as I traverses the back roads from Mount Vernon to the outskirts of Cleveland this was the perfect choice

Having already read the paperback a few times there wasn’t much new but the narrator gave things just the right tone so that at times I felt like I was getting new tidbits of info that for whatever reason my brain had decided not to recall that I had read

As a Watterson fan I highly recommend this version and an additional thanks goes out Nevin for writing the book so many of us wanted and a shout of sincere Thanks to Bill Watterson himself for sharing Calvin & Hobbes with us 😎👍

A Cozy Peek Behind the Scenes - Amazing Narration!

What did you love best about Looking for Calvin and Hobbes?

There is an underlying warmth to this book - it's clear how much Neville Martin adored and appreciated the beautifully written comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes, and its author, Bill Watterson. The amazingly cozy tone of Jeremy Arthur's narration really helps to bring about a sense of endearment and fondness on behalf of Neville.

Have you listened to any of Jeremy Arthur’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to a handful of Jeremy's other audiobook performances - he has such an inviting and engaging tone and timbre to his voice. It's present without being overbearing - you can sit back and relax and really enjoy the storytelling. He draws you in and is very easy on the ears - there's a tenderness to his sound that I absolutely enjoy. I'm waiting, in anticipation, for his next audiobook, Pickett's Charge, to be up for sale!

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was beautifully produced - extremely high quality and fabulously narrated. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone! Great story with a stellar narration!

A must read!

This is an absolutely must read/listen if you are a fan o C&R. A great research and a lovely point of view over Bill Watterson life's work.