In an interview with the French website 20 Minutes, "Calvin and Hobbes" creator Bill Watterson revealed his poster for the 2015 Angoulême International Comics Festival. Thanks to The Wire for the tip.
Watterson was awarded the "Grand Prix d'Angoulême" at last year's event, which usually comes with the added honor of being president of the following year's festival. The reclusive Watterson is declining that honor, and will only participate by designing the poster and sending along a few pieces of his artwork for an exhibit. Check out the fantastic poster here...it is classic Watterson:
"To be honest, the world of festivals and their awards is very far from my daily concerns," Watterson said. "But I'm still flattered that people continue to appreciate my work."
Watterson designed the poster because he saw it as a challenge, choosing to use the comic strip form that he is a master of, and to leave the strip silent to avoid having to deal with the language barrier.
"Telling a story solely in images is one of the great strengths...and the great pleasures...that comics have to offer," he also said. "In this way, I hope I have succeeded in expressing both my own work and comics in general. And to pay tribute to that which makes this medium so pleasant to read."
In my own personal opinion, Watterson is one of the true geniuses (and I don't throw that word around on a whim) of the comics/cartooning craft, and any new work from him should be considered a blessing. Here's hoping he does much more in the future, or returns to the timeless "Calvin and Hobbes" at some point. Hey, a boy can dream...
The 2015 Angoulême International Comics Festival begins January 29 of 2015.
