On November 18, 1985, cartoonist Bill Watterson introduced the world to Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip about the adventures of a curious six-year-old and his talking plush tiger. Over the next decade, the strip would become one of the most popular and revered comics of all time. Spanning 3,105 strips, Calvin and Hobbes brought wit and wisdom to the themes of love, family, friendship, and growing up.
The strip’s philosophy was reflected in Watterson himself, who retained the artistic integrity of Calvin and Hobbes by refusing to license his characters out to TV and movie studios. To this day, Calvin and Hobbes remains exclusive to the page, aside from some counterfeit merchandise sold without Watterson’s permission. (Maybe you've seen Calvin pissing on your favorite sports team?)
In the years since the strip’s finale, Watterson has become something of a recluse, rarely giving interviews or appearing in public. This has resulted in intense curiosity about Watterson’s whereabouts, a subject explored in the documentary Dear Mr. Watterson, which opens in theaters today. The movie explores how Watterson's irreverent humor and heartfelt writing turned Calvin and Hobbes into a timeless classic. For the millions of fans, it's a must-see.
To celebrate the release of the film, we’re revisiting the strip that inspired kids and adults alike for decades with a look back at LifeLessons We Learned From Calvin and Hobbes:
Don’t turn off your imagination.
Never stop causing trouble.
And always put in work.
Love is a mystery.
Learning begins outside the classroom.
And you have to always ask questions.
Because there isn't much for certain in this world.
Disconnect every now and then.
Listen to your parents at your own risk.
Because adults are actually dinosaurs. Actually.
Never, ever ask about the noodle incident.
Life won’t always be easy.
But when it gets bad, remember to enjoy the little things.
And when all else fails: stunt.
