When Bill Watterson brought Calvin and Hobbes By the end just 10 years after its debut, readers were left sad and wanting more – and for good reason. Calvin and Hobbes was consistently genuinely funny with each passing strip, giving readers well-rounded characters as well as a captivating story about life through the eyes of a child. The comic strip wasn’t just a series of jokes starring marketable characters, it was funny, thought-provoking, and often moving.
But like all good things, Calvin and Hobbes had to come to an end eventually, as Bill Watterson decided to definitively conclude the series rather than continually releasing new strips and risking a decline in quality. In fact, Calvin and HobbesThe time in the comics world was relatively short, but in a way, that’s what makes comics so special. So how did Bill Watterson say goodbye to his beloved characters? Well, the best way to find out is to go back and reread the last 10 Calvin and Hobbes comics.
10
Calvin and Hobbes must fight to satisfy angry aliens
Calvin and Hobbes – December 22, 1995
That Calvin and Hobbes the comic begins with Calvin in a state of panic as he explains to Hobbes that the aliens he is dealing with are angry with him. In an earlier comic, Calvin sold Earth to two aliens named Galaxoid and Nebular (for 50 sheets). But the aliens didn’t know about winter and claim that Calvin deceived them by withholding this information. Galaxoid and Nebular can’t survive low temperatures, so it’s clear why they would be upset.
Although this comic is right in the middle of an ongoing story, it is also the penultimate strip of this arc, as Hobbes presents the perfect solution to his problem. Instead of returning the foreigners’ money (or succumbing to their wrath), Hobbes says they should just give them Christmas socks to keep the aliens warm – which they do in the next comic.
9
Calvin and Hobbes make peace with Galaxoid and Nebular
Calvin and Hobbes – December 23, 1995
In a direct continuation of the previous comic Calvin and Hobbes fans welcome the conclusion to the ‘Galaxoid and Nebular’ arc, and overall, it’s a happy ending. As readers will remember from the last strip, Calvin wasn’t too interested in letting Hobbes give the aliens his Christmas stockings, as he was worried about where Santa would put his “stocking stuffer” gifts. However, Galaxoid and Nebular were very pleased, ending their story arc in a satisfactory way.
So when Calvin sees how happy he made the two aliens just days before Christmas morning, he is extremely excited. Santa Claus has definitely seen your good deed, which means he will definitely get on the good list and receive lots of gifts. At least that’s what Calvin hopes, although his “bad/nice” status is still up for debate at the North Pole.
8
Calvin’s ‘Naughty/Nice’ Status Is Up for Debate at the North Pole
Calvin and Hobbes – December 24, 1995
Christmas Eve 1995 – Santa Claus and his elves prepare their sleigh for takeoff. But before that, Santa checks out one child in particular: Calvin. It appears that Santa never finalized whether Calvin was on the nice or naughty list, and his head elf needed confirmation before giving the go-ahead for Santa to take off. The elf and Santa goes back and forth over Calvin’s good and bad deeds throughout the year, until finally, Santa makes a decision..
However, Santa Claus cannot go to Calvin’s house even after his decision has been made, as the boy is still awake. This is a perfect comic to include Calvin and Hobbes‘ last, as it not only reminds readers of some of Calvin’s hilarious (if uncool) moments, but also perfectly captures the spirit (and underlying anxiety) of Christmas for a child.
7
Hobbes gives Calvin the best Christmas present ever
Calvin and Hobbes – December 25, 1995
Christmas Morning 1995 – Calvin and Hobbes run outside to find the ground covered in fresh snow. It seems Santa decided that Calvin had been a good boy that year, as the six-year-old was in a great mood while playing with Hobbes. When they leave, Calvin’s mood gets even better, as Hobbes gives him the perfect Christmas present: a stack of ready-made snowballs.
The snowball fights in Calvin and Hobbes have always been absolutely legendary. From the wars between the titular best friends to Calvin’s ongoing conflict with Susie, any Calvin and Hobbes comics with a snowball fight are sure to be great. That’s why this is the best gift Hobbes could have given Calvin, which also acts as a meta callback for fans, reminding them of all the epic snowball fights Calvin and Hobbes have had over the years. years.
Calvin and Hobbes – December 26, 1995
While playing in the snow with Hobbes, Calvin decides to build a snowman that is “generic“, without any notable qualities that set him apart from any other snowman that has ever been built. Typically, Calvin’s snowmen are incredibly unique and are built to appear alive (often in a rather frightening way). However, this time, Calvin says he just wants “create imitations of what is already popular“, as this is much easier and more efficient.
This is a meta joke about the Calvin and Hobbes series as a whole and is directly tied to the fact that – at this point in the series – Calvin and Hobbes is coming to an end.
Just like Calvin and his (previous) snowmen, Bill Watterson dedicated time and effort to making Calvin and Hobbes unique, rather than just ‘producing’ cheap jokes for the sake of ease and result. Although unlike Calvin, Watterson would rather not make another “snowman” than make soulless imitations. This comic is a brilliant meta explanation for why Calvin and Hobbes needs to come to an end before it overstays its welcome and becomes something Watterson is just ‘producing’.
5
Calvin and Hobbes puts an end to Calvin’s bizarre obsession
Calvin and Hobbes – December 27, 1995
All over Calvin and HobbesIt is regularly shown that Calvin is almost obsessed with a bizarre hobby: chewing gum. Calvin doesn’t just like chewing gum, he subscribes to gum magazines (plural), collects gum trading cards, and even tries to get Susie to participate in his obsession – like a cult follower or something.
This comic is the final chapter in Calvin’s gum obsessionwhere he explains to Hobbes how he can get even better at chewing gum by adopting a new jaw exercise regimen (which he learned from one of his multiple gum-chewing magazines). While this is the last comic to feature Calvin going on and on about gum, it also lets readers know that he won’t be giving up this obsession anytime soon – which is a hilarious way to close the book on this side arc.
4
Bill Watterson gives Calvin 1 the ultimate existential crisis
Calvin and Hobbes – December 28, 1995
As Calvin tries to fall asleep, he comments on how difficult it is to escape the stress of his mind while sitting in the dark. Without distractions, one is susceptible to anxious, overwhelming thoughts – and that’s exactly what’s happening to Calvin here. Calvin is regularly shown spiraling for one reason or another during moments that are randomly scattered throughout the comic’s ten-year history, and this is the last one.
In a way, it’s fair that Calvin is nervous about the unknown, as Bill Watterson may be projecting his own anxieties onto his character due to the fact that Calvin and Hobbes it was coming to an endand its future was unknown for the first time in ten years. Or maybe this is just another one of Calvino’s many existential crises – either way, this comic marks the last.
3
The final Calvin and Hobbes strips remind readers that Calvin is a little evil
Calvin and Hobbes – December 29, 1995
It looks like Calvin is back to making unique (and horrible) snowmen as he excitedly shows Hobbes his latest creations. The first snowman is just enjoying an ice cream cone, while Calvin explains that there is nothing he likes more. But then, Hobbes draws attention to the other snowman, the one lying face down in the snow with a scoop of ice cream stuck in his back and spoon-sized holes scattered across his body. All of this the scene is quite dark and more than a little evil – which is actually on brand Calvin.
Calvin is known for being a bit mean in Calvin and Hobbes. From justifying dictatorships to romanticizing sociopathic behavior, Calvin definitely raised some red flags during the run of this comic. And this is simply the last one, which is a perfect conclusion to this long-standing aspect of Calvin’s personality.
2
Calvin and Hobbes assures readers that Calvin will never stop being himself
Calvin and Hobbes – December 30, 1995
As Calvin and Hobbes walk together through the snowy forest, Hobbes asks Calvin if he has any New Year’s resolutions. Calvin tells Hobbes: “Yes. I’m deciding to improvise and see what happens“. Hobbes then follows up with another question: “So will you stay the course?“to which Calvin responds:”I keep my strengths“.
This Calvin and Hobbes graphic novel is the penultimate in the entire series and does a brilliant job preparing readers for the finale.
It’s as if the anxieties Calvin was experiencing regarding the unknown just a few comics ago have magically disappeared, and now he’s willing to simply let go and accept what happens next, which has been his attitude for most of the book. Calvin and Hobbesand it’s good to see him return. This could be another meta-message from Bill Watterson himself, but even if it isn’t, This comic is a perfect way to let fans know that Calvin will never stop being himself.
1
Bill Watterson gives Calvin and Hobbes the final farewell
Calvin and Hobbes – December 31, 1995
Calvin and Hobbes excitedly run out into the freshly fallen snow with sled in hand, ready to run down some hills together and enjoy the day. The two are visibly in great spirits, talking about how everything feels fresh and new and magical, and how there’s excitement waiting around every corner. The comic ends with a final panel of Calvin and Hobbes riding together, with the iconic final words: “Let’s explore!“.
In the end Calvin and Hobbes the graphic novel leaves readers on an incredibly hopeful note, as Bill Watterson informs them that – even if the graphic novel is finished – Calvin and Hobbes‘The adventures are far from over.