The Return of 'Calvin and Hobbes' - and Fun Funny Pages

Oct. 3, 2005 — -- Almost 20 years have passed since "Calvin and Hobbes" debuted and a decade since the reclusive comic strip creator's retirement. But precocious 6-year-old Calvin and his beloved stuffed pet tiger remain forever young.

In celebration of the anniversary of Bill Watterson's strip, "The Complete Calvin and Hobbes" – a three-volume collection of the duo's adventures – is set to be released on Tuesday. Reprinted "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strips began reappearing in newspapers nationwide in August in a four-month run-up to the book's release.

"Calvin and Hobbes" – named after the 16th century theologian who believed in predestination, and the 17th century philosopher who called human life "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short" – follows the adventures of a boy with an adult's maturity and penchant for finding mischief. Despite his often insightful musings, Calvin clings to childhood fantasies, most prominently Hobbes, a stuffed toy tiger dismissed as an imaginary friend by his parents and other adults.

To enthusiasts, it's a welcome return of humor and imagination to the funny pages that some critics say are often neither funny nor creative.

Elsa Nystrom, assistant professor of history at Kennesaw State College in Georgia who has expertise in comic strip history, said comic strips need more than good pictures.

"You need something else there," she said. "But 'Calvin and Hobbes' was very well-drawn. It was original. It was one of those rare strips that have an Everyman appeal. It was simple and straightforward and touched a variety of people."

Perhaps one source of the strip's appeal was that it was not controversial. It did not have the political commentary of "Doonesbury," "State of the Union" and "The Boondocks." It was an escape from headlines about mean-spirited politics, natural disasters, war and social upheaval.