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Recognize this character? How about the tiger? It’s Calvin and Hobbes! Calvin and Hobbes, a daily comic strip made by an American cartoonist named Bill Watterson, has gained popularity all over the world for it’s astounding humor. In fact, in 2010, 45 million copies of the Calvin and Hobbes books had been sold and over 2,400 newspapers featured this comic. The main plot line of Calvin and Hobbes revolves around a mischievous and wild hearted six year old boy named Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes. These comics take us along a journey of Calvin’s everyday life while incorporating elements about his school, a “tough” relationship between him and Susie, big bullies, bedtime monsters, gruesome homemade food, and real world problems. To Calvin, Hobbes is a real living tiger, while to all the other characters he looks like a stuffed animal. We are not sure if Hobbes is truly a stuffed animal or if he is an actual living tiger, but either way Hobbes plays a big role in Calvins life.
To add on, the Calvin and Hobbes comics have many recurring elements throughout the comic series. Imaginary alter egos, artistic snowmen, cardboard boxes, wagons and sleds, G.R.O.S.S, and physical activities with Hobbes are all examples of these common elements. In addition, each of the elements have a theme associated with them. For example, the wagon and sled elements are used in many comics. First of all, Watterson had felt like drawing scenes with plenty of action (such as riding in wagons) was much more interesting than stiff talking characters. However, more importantly, while sledding or riding their wagons, Calvin and Hobbes discuss many serious and philosophical issues such as god, meaning of life, death, environmental problems and much more. Most of their wagon and sledding rides end with them wiping out or crashing on the bottom of the hill. This could represent the ups and downs of life and how you just need to keep going. It is quite eye opening when you take time to really absorb what exactly these characters are talking about on their journey.
Overall, the Calvin and Hobbes comics bring everyone some laughter and joy by combining the famous duo (Calvin and Hobbes) along with some side characters, adventurous stories, and plenty more. Though these comics let us howl with laughter, it’s important to notice the messages that are threaded through them. So try reading them! The next time you have nothing to do, the next time you feel as if you are having the worst day ever, or simply the next time you just want something to read and laugh at, pick up a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip and I’m sure you will hear yourself laughing.
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