Concerned about how polluted the Earth is becoming thanks to the actions of adults, Calvin and Hobbes decide to go live on Mars. An encounter with an alien species after setting down, however, gives them a new perspective.
Tropes
- Batman Can Breathe in Space: Calvin and Hobbes fly to Mars on a toy wagon without needing any oxygen.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: The Martian landscape is more cartoony compared to the way alien planets are depicted in later strips, inspired by Bill Watterson's trips to Utah.
- Fantastic Aesop: "Humans should focus on fixing the planet they already have rather than going to other planets and messing those up as well" might work at some time in the future when humanity actually has the ability to go live on other planets, but for the moment, doesn't mean very much.
- Green Aesop: The initial desire Calvin and Hobbes have to leave Earth is from concern over how polluted it's become thanks to the actions of adults.
- Heel Realization: Calvin realizes that the Martian is probably more scared of him than he is of it, given that he's part of a species that (theoretically) has ruined their original planet with pollution and has now made their way to his planet.Calvin: So what are you saying? That our reputation precedes us?
Hobbes: Would you welcome in a dog that wasn't house-trained? - Humans Through Alien Eyes: The Martian Calvin and Hobbes encounter screams at the sight of them and runs away, just as they do. This doesn't make sense to Calvin.Calvin: Do you think he's scared of us?
Hobbes: Why not? We're scared of him.
Calvin:' Yeah, but we're just ordinary Earthlings, not weirdos from another planet like he is. - Martians: Calvin and Hobbes encounter one, depicted as a small tentacled creature with eyestalks.
- Mr. Imagination: From Calvin's perspective, he rides his wagon all the way to Mars, hangs out there for a little while without the benefit of any kind of space suit or protection, then flies back in a single afternoon.
- Title Drop: Calvin refers to the Martian as a "Weirdo from Another Planet", which would become the title of one of the book collections.
