The wonderful duo of Calvin & Hobbes which guided me through those innocent days of childhood is as vivid and lively as the moments that I have lived, here’s my list of best Calvin and Hobbes comics on issues ranging from the environment to death.
The innocent friendship between a little boy and his stuffed tiger(or was it so?), catapulted this comic strip to the stratosphere of cult followership. The creator, Bill Watterson’s, understanding of a kid’s growing up angst and struggles and his relationship with his best friend, a tiger, makes for a deeply profound and entertaining read. The innocence and wisdom of this little boy and his imaginary friend will always stay with us.
Mr Watterson, the creator of the iconic comic strip, is known for remaining away from public attention. Calvin and Hobbes wasn’t an overnight success – after being rejected many times, Watterson finally signed a contract with Universal Press Syndicate and November 1985 marked the launch of Calvin and Hobbes, appearing in about 35 newspapers. After a modest first year in newspapers, Calvin and Hobbes got published as a book and was a surprise hit. The book sales encouraged more newspapers to publish the same and the rest as they, is history.
It is always hard to pick up on rubies amidst gems yet here’s presenting
Best Calvin and Hobbes comics…
# Calvin and Hobbes on bullies
# The Raccoon incident
One of the most endearing C&H strips ever, this incident delved upon the manner in which a child’s innocence encounters death for the first time.
Look out for the end quote- “…But don’t YOU go anywhere.”
# Calvin and Hobbes – Man of few words!
# Calvin and Hobbes – Old photographs…
# The dead bird
What to say about this one…sheer poetry. Did anybody say philosophy?
#Calvin and Hobbes on hunting
Calvin’s take on the hunting industry’s rationalization of killing in the name of containment of overtly populated species. And as irony would have it while the likes of Dodo have been wiped off the face of Earth, humans have multiplied like there’s no tomorrow!
Also, see: The best of Snoopy
# Calvin & Hobbes on Environment
Calvin and Hobbes detested human activities that led to contamination of the environment, be it the pollution, the garbage, and litter thrown around, deforestation etc.
# Calvin and Hobbes on animals
The profound impact that Hobbes had on Calvin is depicted in many strips, Calvin often quoted that he loved being amidst furry friends over and above humans.
Here are our favorite comic strips highlighting the animal-loving influence that Hobbes has had on Calvin.
Hats off to Mr. Bill Watterson!
My childhood would never have been what it was or what it still is sans Calvin & Hobbes. Calvin’s rambunctious character and an intelligence quotient which is clearly superlative for a six-year-old along with Hobbes wisdom made for a great read.
Though frequently depicted in the strip as a selfish kid, Calvin does exhibit a deep caring for fauna and flora. He often remarks on the pettiness of humans and envies the quiet dignity of animal life.
Also see: Best comic strips featuring dogs
Quite like Calvin, my human sidekick Calvy (pompously named after the cult child) misses a filter between his brain and mouth 🙂
#Calvin and Hobbes – too cool for school!
Bill Watterson, the creator of the iconic comic strip, once quipped, “Hobbes has the patient dignity and common sense of most animals I’ve met. Like Calvin, I often prefer the company of animals to people, and Hobbes is my idea of an ideal friend”.
# Calvin and Hobbes on problem-solving
# Calvin and Hobbes philosophical take on all things mortal
# Calvin and Hobbes on watching nature
See also: Dogs who waited for their dead humans
Did we leave out your favorite Calvin and Hobbes comic? Please suggest the same in the comments below and we’ll add it to the list of best Calvin and Hobbes comics.
Looking for a forever friend like Hobbes? Adopt a dog!
Loved it, Reblogged!
i was brought here by the dead bird strip, i remembered from my childhood and had a sudden urge to view it. thank you for posting it, and the others you selected are all great they cheered me up. There is something about calvin and hobbes that seems like home.
Thanks Holden, you are so very true for Calvin & Hobbeshave that key to our childhood, that one secret door which makes returning to innocence an easy spell. Here’s to childhood….here’s to Calvin & Hobbes:)
Reblogged this! I do love Calvin and Hobbes!
What a blessing Watterson has been to all who read Calvin and Hobbes.
You are an awesome dog! Loved the blog and the this post specially. Our first tom-cat who walked himself in our house with a newspaper was christened Hobbes. Can never ever forget him. I love all of CnH, its hard to pick a favorite but i like to think of myself as Calvin and dont ever want to grow up:)