The movie poster for upcoming comic strip documentary Stripped features the first cartoon published by comics legend Bill Watterson in 19 years.
Bill Watterson, the publicity-shy creator of Calvin and Hobbes, has provided artwork for the upcoming comic strip documentary Stripped. Stripped, which explores the evolution of newspaper comic strips through interviews with more than 70 cartoonists, includes an interview with the reclusive cartoonist. According to co-directors Dave Kellet and Fred Schroeder, Watterson was so pleased with the documentary that he provided the artwork for the poster. In his interview for Stripped, Watterson says, “In the right hands, a comic strip attains a beauty and an elegance that really I would put against any other art.”
In addition to the rare interview with Watterson, Stripped sits down with a long list of great comics creators. There’s instantly recognizable names from the world of newspaper syndication, including Cathy Guisewite (Cathy), Jim Davis (Garfield), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), and Bill Amend (Foxtrot). In the world of digital comics, the documentary meets with Kate Beaton (Hark, A Vagrant!), Holly Post (Topatoco), Zach Weiner (SMBC), Matt Inman (The Oatmeal), Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics), Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins (Penny Arcade), and many others.
Famously private, Watterson surprised fans in October by giving an interview to Mental Floss magazine. Joel Allen Schroeder’s documentary Dear Mr Watterson, released November 15, 2013, dug deep into the world of Calvin and Hobbes, but didn’t manage an interview with Watterson. A possible biopic of Watterson is being produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Calvin and Hobbes ran in newspapers from 1985 to 1995, and the beloved series got a digital release in ebook formats in November 2012. Stripped is now available for pre-orders on iTunes. The documentary will be available for streaming and downloads through VHX.tv on April 2. DVDs of the documentary will also be available starting April 2.
Source: New York Times Arts Beat
