When Bill Watterson brought Calvin and Hobbes was consistently genuinely funny with every ing strip, giving readers well-rounded characters as well as a captivating story about life through the eyes of a child. The comic strip wasn’t just a series of gags starring marketable characters, it was funny, thought-provoking, and oftentimes moving.
But, like all good things, Calvin and Hobbes had to come to an end eventually, as Bill Watterson decided to definitively conclude the series rather than continuously pumping out new strips and risking a decline in quality. Indeed, Calvin and Hobbes’ time in the comic strip world was relatively short, but in a way, that’s what makes the comic so special. So, how did Bill Watterson say goodbye to his beloved characters? Well, the best way to find out is by going back and rereading the last 10 Calvin and Hobbes comic strips.
10 Calvin and Hobbes Have to Scramble to Satisfy Wrathful Aliens
Calvin and Hobbes - December 22, 1995
This Calvin and Hobbes comic opens with Calvin in a state of panic as he explains to Hobbes that the aliens he's been dealing with are angry with him. In a previous comic strip, Calvin sold the Earth to two aliens named Galaxoid and Nebular (for 50 leaves). But, the aliens didn't know about winter, and claim that Calvin ripped them off by leaving out that piece of information. Galaxoid and Nebular can't survive cold temperatures, so it's clear why they'd be upset.
While this comic is right in the middle of an ongoing story, it's also the penultimate strip of this arc, as Hobbes comes up with the perfect solution to their problem. Rather than refunding the aliens' money (or succumbing to their wrath), Hobbes says that they should just give them their Christmas stockings to make the aliens warm - which they do in the next comic.
9 Calvin and Hobbes Make Peace with Galaxoid and Nebular
Calvin and Hobbes - December 23, 1995
In a direct follow-up to the previous comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes fans are given the conclusion to the 'Galaxoid and Nebular' arc, and overall, it's a happy ending. As readers will from the last strip, Calvin wasn't very keen on letting Hobbes give the aliens his Christmas stockings, as he was concerned about where Santa Claus would put his 'stocking-stuffer' gifts. However, Galaxoid and Nebular were very pleased, bringing their story arc to a satisfying close.
Then, when Calvin sees how happy he made the two aliens just days before Christmas morning, he becomes extremely excited. Santa assuredly saw his good deed, which means he'll definitely make it on the nice list and receive a ton of presents. At least, that's what Calvin hopes for, anyway, though his 'naughty/nice' status is still up for debate at the North Pole.
8 Calvin’s ‘Naughty/Nice’ Status is Up for Debate at the North Pole
Calvin and Hobbes - December 24, 1995
Christmas Eve, 1995 - Santa Claus and his elves are preparing his sleigh for takeoff. But, before he does, Santa checks on one kid in particular: Calvin. It seems Santa never finalized whether Calvin was going on the nice or the naughty list, and his head elf needed confirmation before green-lighting Santa's takeoff. The elf and Santa go back and forth on Calvin's good and bad deeds throughout the year, until finally, Santa Claus comes to a decision.
However, Santa can't go to Calvin's house even after his decision is made, since the kid is still awake. This is a perfect comic to be included in Calvin and Hobbes' final few, as it not only reminds readers of some of Calvin's hilarious (though less-than-nice) moments, but it also perfectly captures the spirit (and underlying anxiety) of Christmas for a kid.
7 Hobbes Gives Calvin the Greatest Christmas Gift Ever
Calvin and Hobbes - December 25, 1995
Christmas morning, 1995 - Calvin and Hobbes run outside to find the ground covered in fresh snow. It seems Santa Claus decided that Calvin had been a good boy that year, as the six-year-old kid was in a great mood while playing with Hobbes. Once they get outside, Calvin's mood gets even better, as Hobbes gives him the perfect Christmas present: a pile of ready-made snowballs.
The snowball fights in Calvin and Hobbes have always been absolutely legendary. From the wars between the titular besties, to Calvin's running conflict with Susie, any Calvin and Hobbes comic featuring a snowball fight is sure to be a great one. That's why this is the best gift Hobbes could have gotten Calvin, which also acts as a meta callback for fans, reminding them of all the epic snowball fights Calvin and Hobbes have been in over the years.
6 Calvin and Hobbes Gets Meta with 1 of Calvin’s Final Snowman Creations
Calvin and Hobbes - December 26, 1995
While playing in the snow with Hobbes, Calvin decides to build a snowman that's "generic", with no notable qualities that differentiate it from any other snowman that's ever been built. Usually, Calvin's snow-people are incredibly unique, and are built to appear as though they're alive (usually in a pretty terrifying fashion). However, this time, Calvin says he just wants to "crank out imitations of what's already popular", as that's far easier and way more efficient.
This is meta joke about the Calvin and Hobbes series as a whole, and it's tied directly to the fact that - at this point in the series - Calvin and Hobbes is coming to an end.
Like Calvin and his (previous) snowmen, Bill Watterson put time and effort into making Calvin and Hobbes unique, rather than just 'cranking out' cheap gags for the sake of ease and output. Though unlike Calvin, Watterson would rather not make another 'snowman' than do soulless imitations. This comic is a brilliant meta explanation for why Calvin and Hobbes needs to come to an end before it overstays its welcome and becomes something Watterson is just 'cranking out'.
5 Calvin and Hobbes Brings an End to Calvin’s Bizarre Obsession
Calvin and Hobbes - December 27, 1995
Throughout Calvin and Hobbes, it's regularly shown that Calvin is borderline obsessed with one bizarre hobby: chewing gum. Calvin doesn't just enjoy chewing gum, he subscribes to gum magazines (plural), he collects gum trading cards, and he even tries to get Susie to in on his obsession - like a cult follower, or something.
This comic is the final chapter of Calvin's gum obsession, where he explains to Hobbes how he can get even better at chewing gum by adopting a new jaw exercise regimen (which he learned from one of his multiple gum chewing magazines). While this is the last comic to feature Calvin going on and on about chewing gum, it also lets readers know that he's not giving up this obsession any time soon - which is a hilarious way to close the book on this side-arc.
4 Bill Watterson Gives Calvin 1 Final Existential Crisis
Calvin and Hobbes - December 28, 1995
As Calvin is trying to fall asleep, he comments on how difficult it is to escape the stresses of one's mind while sitting in the dark. Without distractions, one is susceptible to overwhelming anxious thoughts - and that's exactly what's happening to Calvin here. Calvin is regularly shown spiraling for one reason or another during moments that are scattered randomly over the course of the comic strip's ten-year history, and this is the final one.
In a way, it's fitting that Calvin is nervous about the unknown, as Bill Watterson might have been projecting his own anxieties on his character due to the fact that Calvin and Hobbes was coming to an end, and his future was unknown for the first time in ten years. Or, maybe this is just another one of Calvin's many existential crises - either way, this comic strip marks his last one.
3 Calvin and Hobbes’ Final Strips Remind Readers that Calvin is a Little Evil
Calvin and Hobbes - December 29, 1995
It seems Calvin is back to making unique (and horrifying) snowmen again, as he excitedly shows Hobbes his latest creations. The first snowman is just enjoying an ice cream cone, as Calvin explains that there's nothing he likes better. But then, Hobbes brings attention to the other snowman, the one lying face-down in the snow with an ice cream scoop shoved in his back and scoop-sized holes littering his body. This entire scene is pretty dark, and more than a little evil - which is actually on-brand for Calvin.
Calvin has been known to be a bit evil in Calvin and Hobbes. From justifying dictatorships to romanticizing sociopathic behavior, Calvin has definitely raised some red flags during this comic strip's history. And this is simply the final one, which is a perfect conclusion to this long-standing aspect of Calvin's personality.
2 Calvin and Hobbes Ensures Readers that Calvin will Never Stop Being Himself
Calvin and Hobbes - December 30, 1995
As Calvin and Hobbes are walking together through the snowy woods, Hobbes asks Calvin if he has any New Year's resolutions. Calvin tells Hobbes, "Yeah. I'm resolving to just wing it and see what happens". Hobbes then follows that up with another question, "So you're staying the course?" to which Calvin replies, "I stick to my strengths".
This Calvin and Hobbes comic is the penultimate of the entire series, and it does a brilliant job preparing readers for the end.
It's as if the anxieties Calvin was experiencing about the unknown just a few comics ago have magically washed away, and he's now willing to just let go and accept what happens next, which has been his attitude throughout most of Calvin and Hobbes, and it's good to see it return. This could be another meta message from Bill Watterson himself, but even if it's not, this comic is a perfect way to let fans know that Calvin will never stop being himself.
1 Bill Watterson Gives Calvin and Hobbes the Ultimate Final Sendoff
Calvin and Hobbes - December 31, 1995
Calvin and Hobbes excitedly run outside into the freshly-fallen snow with their sled in-hand, ready to ride down some hills together and enjoy the day. The two are in a noticeably great mood, talking back and forth about how everything feels fresh, new, and magical, and how there's excitement waiting around every corner. The comic strip then ends with a final of Calvin and Hobbes riding off together, with the iconic final words, "Let's go exploring!".
The final Calvin and Hobbes comic strip leaves readers on an incredibly hopeful note, as Bill Watterson lets them know that - even though the comic strip is done - Calvin and Hobbes' adventures are far from over.
- Writer
- Bill Watterson
- Colorist
- Bill Watterson
- Publisher
- Andrews McMeel Publishing
Calvin and Hobbes was a satirical comic strip series that ran from 1985-1995, written, drawn, and colored by Bill Watterson. The series follows six-year-old Hobbes and his stuffed Tiger, Calvin, that examines their lives through a whimsical lens that tackles everyday comedic issues and real-world issues that people deal with.
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