Calvin and Hobbes

The Nation

No better play of the imagination is seen as illustrated in Calvin and Hobbes. For all those who have no inkling as to who these two are, you are in for a treat. The comic strip illustrated by Bill Watterson, gives us a peek into the world of Calvin, a six-year-old. What makes his life extraordinary is his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, who Calvin believes is alive.

The two go on many adventures, wreaking havoc and always getting on the nerves of other people. His parents, who we only know as Mom and Dad, love Calvin and even Hobbes. When Calvin demands a goodnight kiss for Hobbes, his mother obliges, and in one episode, Calvin’s Mom even vents her feelings to Hobbes. The Dad too puts up with Calvin and Hobbes, and admits they are all one family again, once Calvin is reunited with Hobbes, having been left behind at home. Watterson cleverly shows that Hobbes is alive only in Calvin’s mind by drawing him as a live and fuzzy tiger with Calvin, while he was a mere stuffed toy in the presence of others.

The adventures Calvin and Hobbes have are funny and amusing. They make snow goons, who multiply and cause a lot of trouble. Calvin also uses his imagination to get out of situations he doesn’t like, for instance, school classes or a lecture from a parent. Here he imagines himself to be Spaceman Spiff, Tracer Bullet or Stupendous Man. Time to time Calvin imagines that he is a fly, or microscopic version of himself.

Cardboard boxes are also featured a lot in the comic. Most kids had tons of fun with those boxes, and Calvin is no exception. These boxes become his latest inventions; a Transmogrifier, which Hobbes and Calvin fight over, each turning the other into various life forms and time machines, through which they used to travel to the past.

From time to time Susie Derkins tries to join in the games. She is in the same class as Calvin, and he tries to horrify her during lunch. He describes his food to be slugs or maggots, but also depends on Susie for answers in class. Susie is usually innocent, although she does have a mean streak. She gives Calvin false answers but does show concern for him. They have a love hate relationship and even though hate seems to be given more prominence, there are moments when it’s clear they love each other.

While Calvin finds love and romantic gestures disgusting, Hobbes seems to love to smooch girls. Calvin scolds him for this, and they both start the GROSS club, which stands for Get Rid of Slimy girlS. They fight for leadership, and have a password to enter the tree house which is the GROSS headquarters.

One of the most interesting strips is those where Calvin and Hobbes ride down a mountain on a wagon or sled. While Hobbes closes his eyes in fear, Calvin ponders about life, death, god and his beliefs. The heavy comics always end in comedy, when both of them crash into a pile at the bottom of the hill.

While Watterson plays around with characters that are mostly children, and a wild imagination, Calvin and Hobbes is loved by the young and the old. In fact, many adults love reading them, and it is one of those few comics that will make you laugh and cry. The episodes about a young raccoon will definitely leave the reader in tears. We also see the sensitive side of Calvin, when he isn’t able to buy Hobbes a Christmas gift and when he says that Hobbes is the best friend anyone could ever have.

Calvin and Hobbes doesn’t only entertain the reader. It also teaches us many things, and reveals many truths about the world. Many emotions are perfectly captured, and Calvin and Hobbes will remain a much loved comic strip for years to come.