2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the beloved comic strip Calvin and Hobbes by Ohio’s beloved Bill Watterson. We’d be remiss if we did not take a moment to celebrate this iconic duo.
Calvin and Hobbes ran in daily syndication in newspapers across America from November 18, 1985, to December 31, 1995. The stories center around a six-year-old boy named Calvin and his best friend, a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. Through the power of his imagination, Hobbes comes to life and the two set off on fantastical adventures that often get them into trouble while also dealing with the normal troubles facing an average child growing up in the suburbs. And yet, the question is never truly answered if Hobbes is simply a stuffed animal that everyone else sees or if he’s just as real and vibrant as Calvin claims.
If you’re looking for your nostalgia fix or you’ve never read Calvin and Hobbes before, now’s the time as the series is getting a reprint thanks to Andrews McMeel Universal, as well as a comic strip posted online daily at GoComics. And as always, check out your local library to see what’s in their collection. Share your favorite memories of the dynamic duo with the hashtag #CalvinandHobbes40. Be sure to read our post about Bill Watterson as well. Happy Birthday, Calvin and Hobbes!