I'm very disappointed there wasn't a thread for this.

Calvin and Hobbes is a syndicated daily comic strip that was written and illustrated by American cartoonist Bill Watterson, and syndicated from 1985 to 1995. It follows the humorous antics of Calvin, a precocious and adventurous six-year-old boy, and Hobbes, his sardonic stuffed tiger. Calvin and Hobbes is set in the contemporary United States in an unspecified suburban area. The strip depicts Calvin's flights of fantasy and his friendship with Hobbes, and also examines Calvin's relationships with family and classmates. Hobbes' dual nature is a defining motif for the strip: to Calvin, Hobbes is a live anthropomorphic tiger; all the other characters see him as an inanimate stuffed toy. Though the series does not mention specific political figures or current events, it does explore broad issues like environmentalism, public education, and the flaws of opinion polls. At the height of its popularity, Calvin and Hobbes was featured in over 2,400 newspapers worldwide; as of January 2010, reruns of the strip still appear in more than 50 countries. Nearly 45 million copies of the 18 Calvin and Hobbes books have been sold.

Calvin and Hobbes was just one of those strips that made just as much, if not more sense for adults than it did for kids. Calvin has a brilliant mind that sees into critiquing everything of modern culture, but is juxtaposed with the fact that he's a socially awkward, loud, immature, whiny 6-year-old, which makes for great conversation, moments, and memories.

Watterson also frequently challenged newspapers that viewed comics as "lesser art" and "just to fill space" and also fought to never have his creations licensed, seeing as he didn't care about the money if the true meaning of the strips he made were lost. (Garfield, anyone?)

There really aren't a whole lot of ways to describe the comic. For those that have read Calvin and Hobbes, everyone will know of the greatness I'm talking about. For those that haven't, go buy some of this shit right now. It will crack you up, make you think, and put a smile on your face for sure. It's a magical world, guys. I recommend you go explore it.

My childhood, in a nutshell. The only comic I would read, really, pre-manga.

I remember I used to have a classmate in grade school who would read Calvin and Hobbes to the class and it was very good. Plus it was also very funny at times as well.

Calvin and Hobbes is the first thing I ever really enjoyed reading on my own as a kid. It pretty much taught me how to read. It was also my first exposure to comics, and I would spend hours studying every line and rereading every line. I'm in college now, and I still go back to it regularly.

Also, I really really really want this:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Calvin-Hobbes-v/dp/0740748475

Best EVER! this comic is why I am who I am!

>>1
I DISAGREE! On what, you ask? That "there really aren't a whole lot of ways to describe the comic." I beg to differ as there are infinite ways to describe one of the greatest works of art of our time. Bill Watterson was an amazing and insightful man, and I remember the disappointment I felt when his Calvin & Hobbes met the end of its days. I grew up reading these by myself, with my family, with friends and classmates, in newspapers, in books, etc.

This comic strip is an endearing experience and a work of art in its satire, empathy, criticism and comedy put so simply through the eyes of child. Kids may not understand everything Watterson conveys in these comics, but they will pull someone out of it regardless. I know I did. This is easily my favorite comic, and to this day, I still pull out Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons and It's a Magical World, go take a massive shit and read page after page, filling my heart with wonder and my mind with thought.

The characters are lovable, the stories are those we can almost all relate, and the comedy and punchlines are softly laid but really hit home. The mix of concepts are deep and shallow together, allowing everyone to enjoy the adventures of Calvin and his best friend Hobbes.

OP, thank you for making this thread.

Also, Calvinball.

I loved this

>> I do the same thing with my copy of Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Snow Goons too lol. But sadley, that's the only one I have. T_T

>>1 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I used to read this all the time.

hmmm, a thread about my childhood

this was one of my first comics! Thanks so much for recognizing it's greatness!

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for all of the Naruto fans

i love calvin and hobbes!

That is amazing..

Shameless bump.

Calvin and Hobbes was a comic that changed hundreds and hundreds of peoples childhoods and lives. LITERALLY. It gave me a reason to be creative, and not care about what others think so much. It gave people a love for simplicity and fun. It filled me with so much happiness, that now, when I read an old strip, it makes me want to cry...(Not trying to sound all wussy) But...its true.

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ah the days during the book fair when every kid desperatly tried to scrape up the money to buy those books. I got every one of the C&H books each time the new one was there.

I read a C&H marathon earlier this week while I was home sick.
It was awesome, as predicted.
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Talk about my whole childhood! I used to read them with my mom every night before bed, how nostalgic

Calvin & Hobbes taught me how to read. I remember thinking Calvin was my role model because he had a best friend who never abandoned him and he could fully immerse himself in his imagination, something I one day hope to achieve. Without this, I don't think I'd be who I am today.

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hobbes is my role model lol

Epic. This made the book store week worth it.