The Mysteries

Not your usual style from Waterson. But different.

Fantastic illustrations and an intriguing philosophical story.

Of course it’s not Calvin and Hobbes, that has already been done over 30 years ago. This is “The Mysteries”. Waterson’s and Kascht‘s collaboration has resulted in a wholly unique art form. To truly appreciate this monumental achievement, do yourself a favor and watch “Collaborating on The Mysteries – Bill Waterson and John Kascht” on YouTube.Is this book brief as in the number of pages? Yes, but not brief in content. Can one read this book in 10 minutes? Yes, but it was surely not the author’s intent for this to be a quick read. Instead, contemplate each page and get lost in the artwork for some time. I also recommend several helpings!The artwork is a departure from what each artist is famous for which is obviously Waterson’s comic strip, and John Kascht is known for his watercolor caricature paintings. Kascht’s contributions are not paintings, they are actually clay and mixed media sculptures that have been photographed! And they are spectacular.Waterson’s writing style here reflects his sparse visual offerings as the viewer and reader must use their own imagination to fill in the gaps. This leaves the story open to many possible interpretations.

...something completely different.Is it what I expected it to be, when I preordered it at the first announcement? No, absolutely not.Is it short? Text- and pagewise: Yes.But the impressions this book might leave in your mind are deep and last long.Going through it is like having a strange dream.I don't know, how often I read this book now, but it still gives me the same feelings I had at the first time.For me, it's an absolutely awesome piece of art.A big "Thank you!" from the bottom of my heart to Bill Watterson and John Kascht!

This is a very short read - 400 words, at most - seemingly a very nihilistic tale about the folly of man and his rise out of ignorance, into arrogance. At first glance is seems very superficial but the longer I dwell on it, the more layers of commentary surface, and none of it very positive (and all in so few words). Where Calvin & Hobbes was a beautiful juxtaposition between wonder and innocence on one hand, and cynicism and misanthropy on the other, The Mysteries is purely the latter. The artwork is wonderful with a bleak, dark dystopian atmosphere - it reminds me of grainy, black & white stop-motion animation set to music in an eerie minor key. I can't shake the idea that this was written as an admission of the authors losing hope for mankind, while at the same time, being at peace with that. If the goal of art is to move the viewer, then this has succeeded; leaving me with a deep melancholy and feelings of insignificance.