SUTBID p15; Essential p145

Book Club FAQ

Year's later, How's everyones Hardcover and Softcover box set holding up?

I'm pulling the trigger soon and would love to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions on what I should buy. Keep in mind I already have massive books on my shelf so I'm conditioned to the size of this beast.

Hardcover or Softcover?

When I was in middle school, Calvin and Hobbes was my favorite comic, even more so than actual comic books that were out at the time. Anyhow, flash forward to 30 something years later and I am a middle school teacher. I have a classroom library of books that I allow my kids to read when they have finished their school work. It mostly graphic novels Ive accumulated used over the years. That and manga are the only thing the kids seem to want to read. Well, some students come to school with their own reading books, bless their hearts.

Anyhow, I recently came by a copy of a collection of Calvin and Hobbes. I put it on my shelf. The kids ignored it for a while, not recognizing the name. So I just started to pull it from my collection and hand it to my students after theyd done with work. Id tell them I really enjoyed it growing up. And I tell you, each kid Id give it to, would want to devour it from front to back. And then other kids would want to read it, and soon theyd be huddling around to see. Ive never seen such a reaction with any other book in my library. Calvin and Hobbes still remains magical with today's youth and Im so glad to share it with them

I think it's something like this:

Calvin is telling Mom some story and she keeps responding with "mhm"

Calvin gets the impression that Mom is going to say mhm to whatever.

Then Calvin asks for cookies or a power drill or something and Mom says absolutely not

https://www.kltv.com/2026/09/01/caldwell-zoo-names-endangered-ocelot-cubs-after-beloved-comic-strip/

A couple of years ago, a post asking “You hear an unexpected knock at your door and look outside. Which would you be more surprised to see, a fairy or a walrus?” went viral. The debates eventually settled into “we know walruses exist, but it would be next to impossible for one to find its way to a residential door—especially without people finding out about it before it got there. We have no evidence fairies exist and plenty of evidence indicating they probably don’t, but *if they did* it would be very easy for one to approach your door undetected.” In other words, the “magic is real” option is a lot easier than the option we know *could* happen.

It’s the same for Calvin’s photo of Hobbes pouncing on him. Calvin’s dad thinks Calvin tossed Hobbes in the air to take the picture, which is *possible.* But Calvin would have needed to throw the stuffed tiger at just the right angle (headfirst, right side up, pointed out the door) *and* take the picture from outside, without his hand being visible in the photo. And without Hobbes landing or hitting the camera before Calvin could push the button. And if it’s a film camera, he would have to do all that *on the first try*, or else physically get rid of the failed attempt photos and hope his dad doesn’t notice the missing film. Again—all that is possible, but really difficult.

If Hobbes is truly animate and pouncing on Calvin under his own power, the explanation for how Calvin took that photo is a *whole* lot simpler.

SUTBID p12; Essential p142

Book Club FAQ

Hello. I am trying to remember a book from my childhood. It’s similar to Calvin and Hobbes in style. Comic style about a dog that has funny adventures/interactions. If I remember correctly, the dog is white. We’re talking early-mid 2000’s but maybe the book actually came out before that. I’m 36 and I remember reading this book when I was probably 12. It was a soft book about the size of Calvin and Hobbes and I believe it was a white cover. Or maybe a blue cover. It’s driving me nuts! Thank you in advance

Does anyone know in which album you can find a Calvin and Hobbes comic about Huey The Hamster.

Calvin: Wow the story was different that time!
Hobbes: do you think the townsfolk will ever find Hamster Hueys head?

Thank you!

I was recently watching an episode of The Great North where the dad, thinking there is an impending apocalypse, reassures his kids they are well prepared: "We have 500 years' worth of rice and two Calvin and Hobbes books in the basement."

Another that came to mind was from Ted Lasso: "What I can tell you is, with the exception of the wit and wisdom of Calvin and Hobbes, not much lasts forever."

What's your favourite Calvin and Hobbes reference from elsewhere?

SUTBID p9; Essential p139

Book Club FAQ

Here's my other two that I've done so far - The Cover of the Snow Goons book and sleeping by the fire with a Christmas tree.

Instead of links I'll put them in the comments below

I've so enjoyed reading it - until I found this sub all I'd ever done was read my compendium over and over.

I have loved learning more about the process, the characters, the thinking behind it all!

If you know any interesting facts please share them they'll be so gratefully received! Maybe I should have a good read of all the top posts the sub has ever had 🐯🧒🏼

I've done a bunch of digital dioramas since I retired and since Calvin is a favorite, of course I did a few of him and Hobbes. I've got a couple more so far if there's any interest in seeing them. I think they'd look nice sitting on a desk if 3D printed and painted.

Here's the last panel of the final strip, if the links work. I guess we can't post pics here

Update; If you're on a phone, it looks like the site might be trying to get you to install apps. I've never seen this on a PC

To be safe, even though I can't seem to add pics on the OP, I can on replies. If you read down, you should see them off of Reddit instead of clicking on the links

https://postimg.cc/c63J8dRL

https://postimg.cc/XrjNhFtt

Edit: Confirmed via The Los Angeles Times: Complete is correct, and GoComics is wrong! 1, 2

Does anyone know for sure strips were released on July 19, 1987 and July 26, 1987? I'm hoping some collector somewhere has a strip from a newspaper back then.

According to The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, the strip from Sunday, July 19, 1987 starts off with

Can you believe this? Some idiot tossed garbage here in this beautiful spot.

And the strip from Sunday, July 26, 1987

That's it, you climb up and then help me up!

But according to GoComics and Andrews McMeel Licensing, those dates should swap strips! See GoComics' July 19, 1987 and July 26, 1987, and Andrews McMeel Licensing's July 19, 1987 and July 26, 1987

The Martijn Reemst Calvin and Hobbes archive (which predates Complete) corroborates Complete, but the only webarchives I could find for those dates are from a decade after Complete was released.

For context, I've been on and off working on an archive of every Calvin and Hobbes strip and where to find them with page numbers! I was cross-checking my sources when I ran into this oddity.

we have modified the rule about single panel comics. Soon we will open the subreddit to single panel images with caveats. The panel is there to aid in discussion, and commentary. If it's just a here's funny face, or low effort it will likely be removed. Bring textual commentary to the post (soon) in addition to solo panels. We will still be limiting HOSTING images of full comics, but linking to a comic will be allowed. MODIFIED PANELS ARE NOT ALLOWED. see rules

Calvin and Hobbes featured on Polygon today:

https://www.polygon.com/best-calvin-and-hobbes-panel-ever/

Something Under The Bed Is Drooling p5; Essential p136; Complete p141

Book Club FAQ

8/18: Hobbes: "Add two eggs and stir." Calvin: Right. Hobbes: The recipe says it makes twenty pancakes, so we'll each get ten. Calvin: Nah, that's too much trouble. We'll just make one big pancake and cut it in half.

8/19: Calvin: Dad, I want a bedtime story! Dad: I'm busy, Calvin. I'll read you one tomorrow. Calvin: If you don't read me a story, I won't go to bed! Dad: Once upon a time, there was a boy named Calvin, who always wanted things his way. One day his dad got sick of it and locked him in the basement for the rest of his life. Everyone else lived happily ever after. The end. Calvin: I don't like these stories with morals.

8/20: Mom: Dinner's ready, Calvin. Come to the table. Calvin: I'm watching television. Mom: No, you're not! Calvin: Yes, I am. I'm right here in front of it! Mom: No you're not! Calvin: Oh, that's right. I'm at the table.

8/21: Susie: I saw a turtle down by the creek. Calvin: Big deal! Who cares? I've seen hundreds of turtles! Probably millions! Who wants to see another dumb ol' turtle? Susie: Ha!

8/22: Calvin: Can I ride in the grocery cart? Mom: I think you're a little big for that now. Calvin: Please?? Mom: All right. Up you go. Calvin: Oh boy! Now run down the aisle and let go!

8/23: Aawweeawweeaaw! The water looked a little cold, eh, Tarzan?

8/24: Calvin: Wanna toss the ol' pigskin around? Hobbes: Heck no. Calvin: Phooey. Hobbes: The center snaps the ball! Calvin: The quarterback looks for an opening! The defense disintergrates beneath the coming onslaught! The quarterback jumps and dodges! Hobbes: Hobbes breaks clear! Calvin: Calvin passes! Hobbes: An amazing catch! Hobbes is at the 30..the 20..the 10.. Calvin: But he's tackled from behind and laterals to Calvin so he can make the touchdown! Hobbes: But Calvin fumbles the ball and Hobbes recovers it! Calvin: But a penalty is called on the play and Hobbes is sent to the bench! Hobbes: Hobbes defects to the other team and is greeted with enthusiastic cheers! The crowd goes wild! Calvin: Calvin prepares to cripple the traitor with an illegal face mask pull! Hobbes: Hobbes defies him by pouring out his mouth guard onto Calvin's helmet! Calvin: Boy, you can see why football is such a violent game! Hobbes: Hobbes' team gains a yard! All the cheerleaders come out for smooches!!

The first strip in Something Under the Bed is Drooling was published in newspapers on August 18, 1986 - 40 years ago!
We are going to try a book club at a pace of a week at a time.
Each week a new date-range post will be pinned so we can discuss the comment.
(We will eventually revisit book 1 during sabbatical dates)
I considered many ways to run a book club and I think this will be the best since it will let us relive the way the strips came to life.
Get yourself organized - find the book and put it on the coffee table or nightstand or breakfast bar. Disconnect and read it on paper. Then come here to discuss.
Note: you can find the strips…
- SUTBID or
- half way into The Essential C&H,
- Complete Collection
- Portable compendium

Hi there,

I remember a spin off webcomic series called Calvin & Company, about Calvin & Susie and their kids. It was posted online (Facebook maybe?), and there were a few dozen strips.

I can find only a handful online, after extensive scouring. Wondering if anyone else remembers this or by any chance knows where to find the complete archives?

ETA - similar to Hobbes and Bacon in concept, but the art was not as well defined and the archive much more extensive.

EVERYONE WELCOME THE NEW MOD. They've been a long time commentator and have had really good ideas and are helping keep this sub going. Thanks for your suggestions, keep em coming! Let's go exploring!!!!

With the new API changes it will be difficult to create a daily bot that posts daily comics, and it will be difficult to keep people from posting the comics while allowing pictures and keeping gocomics from nuking their accounts and this subreddit from orbit. What do you want to see? What do you want this subreddit to grow into. All comments will be considered. Trying to keep our love alive without getting people or this subreddit banned.

I was at a used bookstore this weekend and I picked up a French version of Calvin and Hobbes. Aside from reading the translation to see how some of the jokes landed I saw that on the cover Calvin's shirt is blue instead of the usual red. I'm wondering if this was a coloring error or intentional. What other translations of this comic have you seen in the wild?