ComicsAlliance

‘It’s a Good Life’ Drags ‘Calvin and Hobbes’-style Artwork into Adulthood

By Lauren Davis

When I first heard that there was a webcomic called It’s a Good Life drawn in the style of Bill Watterson’sCalvin and Hobbes, I immediately assumed that it was a retelling of the Twilight Zone episode with Calvin in the role of Anthony Fremont. Then I took a closer look at Timothy Lim and Mark Pellegrini’s webcomic and saw that it stars a twenty-something Asian dude and his leggy girlfriend, and that no one is getting wished into the cornfield. Instead, It’s a Good Life is about a young man happily teetering between childhood and adulthood — and his troublemaking guinea pigs.

It’s a Good Life is a love letter to childish things. Lim, who can draw in an amazing array of styles, borrows Watterson’s to draw himself with a Calvinish shape as the main character. It seems in part a reference to Tim’s small stature, especially in contrast to his girlfriend Schatzi, but all the young men in It’s a Good Life are similarly child-like for reasons go beyond height. 

Tim still owns a Mickey Mouse hoodie, hunts for ghosts and plays Indiana Jones with his friends. His friend (named Bobbes, despite bearing little resemblance to a cartoon tiger), chronicles his attempts at gaining superpowers. Drawing himself in Watterson’s familiar style is just another way Lim celebrates the things he loved in his youth that still influence his nearly adult life.

Read more on this at ComicsAlliance.

Best Webcomics Ever (This Week) 12.11.11

By Aaron Coulter

Thanks to everyone leaving recommendations in the comment section, and even challenging me on certain opinions. It’s honestly really cool to hear from people and discuss comics in a respectful manner. I know it’s been a rough year for publishers and retailers in the comics industry, and I don’t want to belittle any professionals who are struggling, but being able to read over a hundred excellent comics online each week and discuss them with people on a public forum — well, it’s pretty great.

Still, I’d encourage anyone reading webcomics to support the artists by donating to their work, or even by purchasing some of their merchandise, as well as buying comics from local retail shops. As great as webcomics are, a nice hardcover is sometimes softer on the eyes.