On November 18, 1985 – Bill Watterson’s opus Calvin and Hobbes was introduced in syndication to the comic strip world. Throughout it’s 10 year run, which ended on December 31st 1995, it delighted adults and children alike with its humor and its subtle and sometimes not so subtle comments on society at the time. Part of the reason it has remained a part of the public consciousness is that the topics discussed ring just as true today as they did in the mid 80’s and 90’s.
For those unfamiliar with Watterson’s strip, Calvin and Hobbes follows the humorous antics of Calvin, a precocious, mischievous, and adventurous six-year-old boy, who speaks as much like an adult as he does a child, and Hobbes, his sarcastic stuffed tiger. It is set in a non-descript, contemporary suburban United States, and the strip depicts Calvin’s frequent flights of fancy and his friendship with Hobbes. It also examines Calvin’s relationships with his family and classmates. This is especially true with the love/hate relationship between him and his classmate Susie Derkins. ( I myself, think Calvin ended up marrying her). Hobbes’ dual nature is a defining theme for the strip. In Calvin’s world, Hobbes is a living, talking tiger while all the other characters see Hobbes as a stuffed toy. Though this dynamic, the series explores broader issues like environmentalism, public education, philosophical quandaries, parenting and many other issues.
Right from the start, Watterson introduces the dynamic of Calvin and Hobbes:
As the comic gets its footing, Watterson develops his style of addressing all kinds of subjects:
Education:
Parenting:
Relationships:
Throught it all, we laugh and see parts of ourselves in the musings of Calvin and his Tiger:
Philosophical musings are broken down:
Besides it’s run in the newspaper comic strips, compilations of Calvin and Hobbes were sold for those who didn’t or couldn’t see the newspaper everyday. I own many of them including the hard sleeved compilation called “The Complete Calvin and Hobbes” in which Watterson explains the concepts involved with his strip. Even now, over 30 years from its initial run, I can still pull one from the shelf and not help but laugh. With so many things happening in the world that can make you cry or pull your hair out, it’s nice to take a moment and find the humor in things. Even if it comes from a boy and his stuffed tiger.
Calvin and Hobbes can be found at
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
