Growing Up With Calvin and Hobbes

I love Calvin and Hobbes. For those unfamiliar with the comic, here’s one of my favorites below. If you want a deeper flavor, read this link.

I grew up with Calvin and Hobbes (unlike Calvin, who never grows in the series). Every few years or so I’d re-read the entire collection and discover that I viewed some of the topics discussed differently - from education to politics to environmentalism. Being able to withstand the test of time is what makes art great; Calvin and Hobbes has always been a classic for me. In a time where technology hasn’t blossomed and social media wasn’t rampart, I anticipated procuring the Life! section of the Sunday Times in print just to devour the colorful comic strip panels waiting to be read.

A great comic makes poignant observations on the current state of affairs. I remember people who would look at me reading comics and say “So old already still reading cartoon.” But reading comics is what led to some of my key skill sets in the first place - being able to create worlds, to let the small things slide and to question the system (see above comic). It was all these habits from young that made me who I am. Even today, I still enjoy reading Calvin and Hobbes in the dead of the night and being part of their world. If you haven’t read Calvin and Hobbes before, give it a shot. You may find yourself surprised at some of the philosophical statements made in a matter of 4 panels. I am always amazed at how a comic strip can talk about a sophisticated subject to many different audiences and appeal to them in different ways.

For those who grew up with comics - what are some of your favorites? Have any impacted your life in a deep and lasting fashion?