Calvin and Hobbes
By Bill Watterson | 57.9K FollowersAbout Calvin and Hobbes
This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most famous and popular comic strips of all time: Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes". To celebrate, we're inviting you to post on social media using #CalvinandHobbes40 sharing your favorite "Calvin and Hobbes" memories!
Since its introduction in 1985, "Calvin and Hobbes" has been a timeless worldwide favorite. The beloved comic follows the richly imaginative adventures of 6-year-old Calvin and his trusty tiger, Hobbes. Whether you enjoyed it as a child while expanding your vocabulary, as an adult in the newspaper, or now as you reacquaint yourself with these cultural icons, "Calvin and Hobbes" will continue to astound and delight you.
Meet Bill Watterson
Bill Watterson was born in Washington, D.C., in 1958. His love of art began at an early age, and early influences included Charles Schulz ("Peanuts"), George Herriman ("Krazy Kat"), and Walt Kelly ("Pogo").
Watterson developed his artistic talent while in high school in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and later at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he studied political science. His career as a political cartoonist for The Cincinnati Post following his graduation in 1980 was brief—because he was fired.
Watterson's numerous daily comic ideas were all rejected until he created "Calvin and Hobbes," the engaging chronicle of a 6-year-old's psyche. The strip was signed by Universal Press Syndicate and debuted on Nov. 18, 1985. By the end of its run on Dec. 31, 1995, the award-winning "Calvin and Hobbes" was carried in more than 2,400 newspapers.
"Calvin and Hobbes" has gained worldwide appeal: All 14 book collections have sold millions within their first year of publication. The most recent collection, "The Complete Calvin and Hobbes," was published in 2005 by Andrews McMeel and became the most expensive book to make The New York Times best-seller list. In 1986, Watterson became the youngest person to win the prestigious Reuben Award for "Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year" from the National Cartoonists Society. He won the award again in 1988.
Watterson, who has always shunned the spotlight and rarely gives interviews, lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cast of Characters
Calvin
Calvin is a typical 6-year-old who hates baths, school, and his babysitter. His imagination often gets him in trouble. He's an avid comic book reader and a troublemaker who doesn't always grasp the concept of consequences. He has several alter egos and is named for the theologian John Calvin, who believed in predestination.
Hobbes
Hobbes is a tiger, though whether he is real or stuffed is up for debate. Hobbes is Calvin's big, furry best friend and partner in crime who gets the blame for many of Calvin's exploits. Hobbes is smart, patient, and a skilled pouncer who was named after the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who had a dim view of human nature.