To think that a young lad like this could invent a legal strategy that might well preserve a future criminal defendant from ever having to stand trial. Not thinking of anyone in particular, of course.
I always hated dealing with 11. 12 I could handle (12 pence to the shilling, 12 months to the year, etc.) and 10 was easy, but 11 always made things difficult for addition and subtraction. Multiplication by 11 was a doddle.
“He downshifts his spacecrafts and stalls.” Over ten years since I first read this, and I finally get the manual transmission joke! It helps that today’s Barney & Clyde is about stick-shift, so I was in the mind-set.
I know Watterson fought hard to have more creative freedom for his Sunday strips. But he probably got more out of the conventional format than any other cartoonist before or since
When you think back to when we first leaned addition and subtraction, 11-3 is a tough one. Both prime numbers, no reduction, you just have to keep taking away 1 from 11 three times. tedious.
BE THIS GUY about 1 month ago
Calvin learned stalling in school — a skill that will come in handy as he grows up.
codycab about 1 month ago
Delaying the inevitable as usual, Calvin?
Spacehog about 1 month ago
I am probably the only one that does not care for spaceman spiff strips, I find them boring
Imagine about 1 month ago
Saved by the bell.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover about 1 month ago
Who needs subtraction when you can fly a spacecraft?
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 1 month ago
To think that a young lad like this could invent a legal strategy that might well preserve a future criminal defendant from ever having to stand trial. Not thinking of anyone in particular, of course.
snsurone76 about 1 month ago
The “Zok Death Sloop” seems to sport a funny face.
Robin Harwood about 1 month ago
I always hated dealing with 11. 12 I could handle (12 pence to the shilling, 12 months to the year, etc.) and 10 was easy, but 11 always made things difficult for addition and subtraction. Multiplication by 11 was a doddle.
So, after great struggle, 8?
su43dipta about 1 month ago
Is it saving the day really if you’re just postponing the evil for the next episode?
nsr60 about 1 month ago
Who wasn’t saved by the bell at some point? I once lucked out and got an extra day after completely forgetting about my presentation on boron.
sandpiper about 1 month ago
For Cal, obfuscation is an art. Truly enjoy his ‘spacey’ adventures. Great fun and great art.
enigmamz about 1 month ago
“8” Nailed it!
DaveG1960 about 1 month ago
The death ship looks quite cheery from this angle……
einarbt about 1 month ago
Calvin just getting started on his version of Principia Mathematica.
Purple People Eater about 1 month ago
11 – 3 = E (hex)
Blu Bunny about 1 month ago
Miss Wormwood says, Hold it Calvin, you’re not leaving till you solve that math equation.
SquidGamerGal about 1 month ago
It’s 8! The answer is 8! GAWD! You cannot be THAT dumb!!
Rasslebear about 1 month ago
Timing is everything.
KageKat about 1 month ago
Thought it was a different punchline here, but I suppose that’s attached to a different Spaceman Spiff strip.
Just-me about 1 month ago
Yeah, it wouldn’t have mattered to most of my teachers if the bell rang. He or she would have held class until the question was answered.
gantech about 1 month ago
Oh gawd, that was me in school, spaceships and everything…
gantech about 1 month ago
Ludicrous speed!!!!
old_geek about 1 month ago
Also works for testifying at a congressional hearings…
shlomosports Premium Member about 1 month ago
“He downshifts his spacecrafts and stalls.” Over ten years since I first read this, and I finally get the manual transmission joke! It helps that today’s Barney & Clyde is about stick-shift, so I was in the mind-set.
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 1 month ago
I know Watterson fought hard to have more creative freedom for his Sunday strips. But he probably got more out of the conventional format than any other cartoonist before or since
g04922 about 1 month ago
Calvin’s daydreams are becoming a bit too real. Some medication may be indicated.
I'm Sad about 1 month ago
Calvin can’t figure out math in this case because he was ahead of his time and Common Core Math hasn’t been taught in schools yet.
flying spaghetti monster about 1 month ago
seems this wouldn’t work to well with tomorrow.. unless you go for the extension.
The Wolf In Your Midst about 1 month ago
Remember: At the speed of light, it’ll take you more than a year just to get out of our rinky-dink little solar system.
dimndno about 1 month ago
I learned too late as an adult that all the effort I put into stalling can be more work than actually doing the job.
willie_mctell about 1 month ago
That problem is what fingers or counting backwards is for.
Mark DeMist Premium Member about 1 month ago
Spaceman Donald.
tsk5565 about 1 month ago
When you think back to when we first leaned addition and subtraction, 11-3 is a tough one. Both prime numbers, no reduction, you just have to keep taking away 1 from 11 three times. tedious.
Teto85 Premium Member about 1 month ago
One of the many things I love about Spiff is that the lenses of his goggles change shape in every panel.
jrankin1959 about 1 month ago
Except the planet he’s landed on is populated by principals…
Sherlock5 about 1 month ago
There’s no reason Miss Wormwood can’t require him to do the problem before he can go.
delennwen about 1 month ago
I always find it so strange that Calvin is so incredibly verbally gifted but has such problems with basic math.
kathleenhicks62 about 1 month ago
Calvin is smart after all!
monya_43 about 1 month ago
A lesson learned that works good when you’re guilty and need to delay your trial.
MitchellTimin about 1 month ago
He is destined to be an author of fiction, not an engineer.
French Persons Premium Member about 1 month ago
Kids that young don’t go from class to class. That doesn’t happen until middle school.
Chris Sherlock about 1 month ago
Translation of last panel: Calvin may not know the answer.
aaronacademy2012 about 1 month ago
THGIE