Snowman

Bill Watterson - There's Treasure Everywhere: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection, p.63:


[Calvin and Hobbes come upon a normal, standard, 3-ball snowman by the sidewalk]

Calvin: Look at that kid's snowman! What a pathetic cliche! Am I supposed to identify with this complacent moron and his shovel? This snowman says nothing about the human condition! Is this all this kid has to say about contemporary suburban life? The soul-less banality of this snowman is a sad comment on today's art world. Now come look at MY snowman.

[They approach Calvin's creation, a ghastly form with a distorted, agonizing face, seemingly screaming while clutching the sides of its head]

Calvin: I call it The Torment of Existence Weighed Against the Horror of Nonbeing. As he melts, the sculpture will become even more poignant.

Hobbes: I admire your willingness to put artistic integrity before marketability.

[Hobbes walks away as Calvin ponders this statement]

[Calvin makes a normal, happy snowman - just like all the others.]