A boy and his pet tiger. Normally, that would make for a great series of stories, probably something from the Rudyard Kipling archive if anything.
But Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” comic strip was something more. It was about the adventures of a mischievous, inquisitive kid named Calvin (no last name), along with a pet tiger that only talked to him and only moved when he was around, a tiger named Hobbes (no last name).
Calvin’s imagination bounced through adventures that evoked the surrealism of Winsor McKay’s “Little Nemo in Slumberland,” all to the annoyance of his parents (no first or last names), his teacher Mrs. Wormwood, his babysitter Rosalyn, and his classmate Susie Derkins.
Even though there hasn’t been a new “Calvin and Hobbes” strip in nearly twenty years, the comic strip still makes me smile when I read it. And I know it makes other people smile as well.
And in writing today’s blog post, I wanted to share not only the joy of a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip; I also wanted to share the interpretation other people have about the strip itself. What it meant to them. How they viewed the comic. Sports Nation’s Jon Bois, for example, wrote an excellent post about the 25 best Calvin and Hobbes strips of all time. You should read it.
And over on YouTube, here’s a “gritty reboot” of what would happen if someone made a Calvin and Hobbes “summer blockbuster” movie.
Any Calvin and Hobbes references on TV are extremely rare; here’s one from the satire show “Robot Chicken.”
Some Calvin and Hobbes fans have turned their love for the strip into collaborative music videos. Here’s someone’s efforts to create a music video by stitching Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” to original Calvin and Hobbes artwork.
If Lady Gaga’s not your taste, here’s a stitch project featuring the Beatles’ “In My Life.”
And if you were ever wondering about the puppy-love or rottweiler-hate relationship between Calvin and Susie, look no further than this music video featuring John Paul Young’s “Love Is In The Air.”
And the best part… now there’s an upcoming documentary on Bill Watterson and his boy-and-tiger creation, featuring interviews with comic strip artists and others who were truly inspired by Watterson’s work. Here’s the trailer for “Dear Mr. Watterson,” and I hope you enjoy it.
And you know what? If you really want to find a classic Calvin and Hobbes strip, and you just know a phrase or a reference… you can use this Calvin and Hobbes search engine to find that special strip. Holy Spaceman Spiff, Stupendous Man!
As I said in the beginning of this blog post, and as I say today, I still enjoy reading Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. They’re fun and they’re thought-provoking and they’re special. Bill Watterson blessed us with ten years of great strips, and – like the creations of Charles Schulz and Berkeley Breathed and Winsor McKay – the strips ended way too soon.
All Calvin and Hobbes artwork in this blog post are (c) Universal Press Syndicate.
Chuck The Writer 
Calvin and Hobbes was the best. My very favorite strips were always of the snowpeople he would create.
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The snowman house of horrors strips were the best. I think I still have all of the books stowed away somewhere. I will always adore Calvin & Hobbes.
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I agree with #1 and #2 about the snowmen scenes.
I do love that strip. I often wish it was more acceptable for adults to behave with child-like abandon and just let the imagination loose to play.
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I MISS Calvin & Hobbes! I confess, I was not always a mega-fan when they were in the papers daily. But, rather like Far Side, it grew on me later. Every so often, someone posts a Calvin & Hobbes cartoon on Facebook & I am left w/great longing for The Gospel According to Calvin & Hobbes. Many times we don’t appreciate things–again like Far Side–till they’re no longer there! (If I came to an appreciation of Far Side when there was an exhibit at the State Museum & met Gary Larson himself–actually a little shy considering his exaggerated, often grotesque, biting characters!
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When watching any sporting match, when a referee loses control I always just say “this game is starting to look like Calvin-ball.”
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Don’t forget Hobbes and Bacon.
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