Calvin and Hobbes

Ok, we'll start with a small history lesson. I first saw Calvin and Hobbes when I was around 8 or 9 years old and my Canadian friend round the corner had some comics. Of course we had the bunk bed sleepovers going, and between playing original gameboy and trading cards I got to read my first Calvin and Hobbes.
Calvin and Hobbes is written by Bill Watterson is are named after John Calvin, a 16th century french theologian and Thomas Hobbes, a 17th century English philosopher The comic series provides glimpses at the modern world through the eyes of a boy and his 'come to life' tiger.


Its quite an escape when you pick one up, and for me its got those back to childhood nostalgic touches about it too.
Bill Watterson was a clever writer and was able to capture the exuberance of childhood and mix it with stories that kids and adults would enjoy. The drawing is great also and some of the books have colour and I think those are the best. Just by one expression you can grasp exactly what he's trying to tell you.
Some of his best work is when Calvin's imagination takes over and he becomes one of his alter ego's Spaceman Spiff (my blog pic), Stupendous Man or Tracer Bullet.
Maybe my favourite strips ever are when Calvin and Hobbes explore a regular cardboard box and are transported to various adventures. In one strip the box or 'transmogrifier' is used to change them into any form or shape they choose, to which Hobbes remarks 'Its amazing what they can do with cardboard boxes these days!'


I own all the books I think, and its hard to choose my favourite, but I've listed a few below. i would highly recommend getting your hands on one for Xmas or just for a lazy Sunday afternoon.


Happy reading


Scientific Progess Goes Boink
The Indispensible Calvin and Hobbes
Its A Magical World
Theres Treasure Everywhere