Calvin and Hobbes is one of the most beloved comic strips of all time. Created by Bill Watterson, the strip followed the adventures of the mischievous 6-year old Calvin and his tiger stuffed animal Hobbes. Running from 1985 to 1995, Calvin and Hobbes featured philosophical discussions, imaginative play, and Calvin’s endless attempts to avoid doing his homework or chores. Here are over 20 of the best and most memorable Calvin and Hobbes comic strips.

Calvinball

One of Calvin’s favorite pastimes was playing Calvinball, a made up game with constantly changing rules that were designed specifically to confuse his father. In one classic strip, Calvin explains the rules of Calvinball to his bewildered dad: “It’s a lot like soccer, except instead of goals, you use antilogs. And instead of a ball, you use a quark-gluon casserole. Oh, and instead of scores, you have cross-products.” Calvin’s nonsensical rules perfectly capture a child’s imagination and ability to make up elaborate games on the fly. Calvinball strips never failed to amuse readers with Calvin’s absurd logic.

20+ Top Calvin And Hobbes Strips

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Hobbes Comes Alive

One of the most imaginative elements of the strip was Calvin’s ability to see his tiger Hobbes come alive. When they were alone playing in the forest or having adventures, Hobbes walked and talked like a real tiger. But to everyone else, Hobbes was just a stuffed animal. This allowed readers to see the world from Calvin’s point of view and experience his vivid imagination. In one strip, Calvin and Hobbes are playing pirates in the backyard when Calvin’s mom calls them in for dinner. As she walks away, Hobbes whispers “She didn’t see me walk, did she?” capturing the magic of Hobbes only being real to Calvin.

Snowmen Come to Life

During one winter strip, Calvin builds an army of snowmen in his backyard that come to life as he imagines them attacking the neighborhood. He directs the snowmen like soldiers as they terrorize cars and adults. But at the end of the day, as the snowmen start to melt, Calvin looks on sadly saying “It’s always so depressing when your snowmen die.” Like many Calvin and Hobbes strips, it comments on a child’s playfulness and imagination while also touching on deeper themes of impermanence. The vivid imagery of the snowmen coming to life is a testament to Bill Watterson’s masterful storytelling through comics.

Philosophical Discussions

While Calvin often found himself in mischievous situations, the strip also featured many thoughtful philosophical discussions between Calvin and Hobbes. In one, Calvin lays in the grass watching clouds as Hobbes asks what he’s thinking about. Calvin replies “Nothing…it’s beautiful.” Sparking a conversation about the meaning of life. In another, Calvin tells Hobbes he’s worried about growing up, to which Hobbes wisely says “When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” Calvin and Hobbes strips were enjoyed by both children for the humor and adventures, and adults for their deeper insights.

Avoiding Bedtime

Like many children, Calvin dreaded bedtime. In one classic strip, Calvin’s mom tells him it’s time for bed but he insists he’s not tired. She reminds him that “Whether you’re tired or not, it’s bedtime.” Calvin protests “But bedtime is when the whole day goes to die!” capturing the bittersweet feelings kids have about the end of the day. In another, Calvin tries to stall bedtime by asking Hobbes to tell a story, but Hobbes just replies “It’s bedtime. Let’s go.” Showing that even Hobbes knew when it was time to turn in. Calvin’s endless attempts to delay or avoid bedtime were hilarious for readers of all ages.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Calvin and Hobbes featured imaginative stories, hilarious hijinks, and insightful philosophical musings that have resonated with readers of all ages for decades. The strips highlighted the joy and wonder of childhood, while also peeking into deeper questions about life, growth, and impermanence. Whether enjoying Calvin’s misadventures, vivid imagination, or thoughtful discussions with Hobbes, the comic strip captured what it means to be a kid in a uniquely charming and meaningful way. These over 20 comic strips show just some of the hilarious and thought-provoking moments that cemented Calvin and Hobbes as a true masterpiece of the comic arts.