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{{short description|American cartoonist (born 1958)}}
[[File:Bill Watterson at Kenyon.jpg|thumb|Bill Watterson]]
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
'''Bill Watterson''' (born July 5, 1958) is an American [[cartoonist]] best known as the creator of the widely influential and beloved [[comic strip]] '''"[[Calvin and Hobbes]]"'''. First published in 1985, the strip became a worldwide phenomenon, appreciated for its sharp wit, humor, emotional depth, and its satirical take on contemporary life. Watterson's work reshaped the world of comic strips, and his lasting impact on the medium is still felt today.
{{infobox person
| name = Bill Watterson
| birth_name = William Boyd Watterson II
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|7|5}}
| birth_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| occupation = Cartoonist
| education = [[Kenyon College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| signature = Bill Watterson signature.svg
}}
'''William Boyd Watterson II''' (born July 5, 1958) is an American cartoonist who authored the comic strip ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]''. The strip was [[Print syndication|syndicated]] from 1985 to 1995. Watterson concluded ''Calvin and Hobbes'' with a short statement to newspaper editors and his readers that he felt he had achieved all he could in the medium. Watterson is known for his negative views on comic syndication and [[licensing]], his efforts to expand and elevate the newspaper comic as an [[art|art form]], and his move back into [[Private sphere|private life]] after ''Calvin and Hobbes'' ended. Watterson was born in [[Washington, D.C.]], and grew up in [[Chagrin Falls]], [[Ohio]]. The [[suburban]] [[Midwestern United States]] setting of Ohio was part of the inspiration for the setting of ''Calvin and Hobbes''.<ref name=harvard>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/12/8/calvin-hobbes-thought-piece/|publisher=The Harvard Crimson|author=Cassandra Luca|access-date=April 26, 2024|date=December 8, 2020|title=The Escapist Tragedy of 'Calvin and Hobbes'}}</ref> Watterson lives in [[Cleveland Heights, Ohio]] as of January 2024.
==Early life==
== Early Life and Education ==
Bill Watterson was born on July 5, 1958, in [[Washington, D.C.]], to Kathryn Watterson (1933–2022) and James Godfrey Watterson (1932–2016).<ref name=martell1>{{cite book|last=Martell |first=Nevin| date=2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6wHaqIDzDEC |title=Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip |page=15 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=978-0-8264-2984-1}}</ref> His father worked as a [[patent attorney]]. In 1965, six-year-old Watterson and his family moved to [[Chagrin Falls, Ohio]], a suburb of [[Cleveland]].<ref name="short biography">{{cite web | url= http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cbillbio.html | title= A Short Biography of Bill Watterson | year= 2002 | access-date= September 1, 2009 | first= Tim | last= Hulsizer | url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090416091717/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cbillbio.html | archive-date= April 16, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Watterson |url=https://www.biography.com/artist/bill-watterson |work=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography]] |date=March 29, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213064653/https://www.biography.com/artist/bill-watterson |url-status=live }}</ref> Watterson has a younger brother, Thomas Watterson.<ref name=martell1/>
Bill Watterson was born in '''Washington, D.C.''', and grew up in '''Chagrin Falls, Ohio''', where he attended '''Chagrin Falls High School'''. He showed an early interest in drawing and was encouraged by his family and teachers. After high school, Watterson attended '''Kenyon College''', where he earned a '''[[Bachelor of Arts]]''' degree in '''Political Science''' in 1981. Despite his interest in art, Watterson initially pursued a more practical degree, though he continued to develop his skills as an artist throughout his college years.
Watterson drew his first cartoon at age eight and spent much time in his childhood alone, drawing and cartooning. This continued through his school years, during which time he discovered comic strips such as [[Walt Kelly]]'s ''[[Pogo (comics)|Pogo]]'', [[George Herriman]]'s ''[[Krazy Kat]]'', and [[Charles M. Schulz]]'s ''[[Peanuts]]'' which subsequently inspired and influenced his desire to become a professional cartoonist.<ref name="short biography"/><ref>{{Cite book| last = Watterson| first = Bill| title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| publisher = Andrews and McMeel| year = 1995| page = 17| isbn = 0-8362-0438-7| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA17| access-date = January 3, 2020| archive-date = January 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230115125230/https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA17| url-status = live}}</ref> On one occasion when he was in fourth grade, he wrote a letter to Schulz, who responded, much to Watterson's surprise. This made a big impression on him at the time. His parents encouraged him in his artistic pursuits. Later, they recalled him as a "conservative child" — imaginative, but "not in a fantasy way", and certainly nothing like the character of Calvin that he later created.<ref>Gene Williams (August 30, 1987), [http://ignatz.brinkster.net/calterego.html "Calvin's Other Alter Ego"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522191711/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/calterego.html |date=May 22, 2013 }}, ''Cleveland Plain Dealer''.</ref> Watterson found avenues for his cartooning talents throughout primary and secondary school, creating high school-themed super hero comics with his friends and contributing cartoons and art to the school newspaper and yearbook.<ref name=martell>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6wHaqIDzDEC |title=Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip |last=Martell |first=Nevin |date=October 5, 2009 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=9780826429841}}</ref>{{rp|20–3}}
While at Kenyon, Watterson drew cartoons for the college newspaper, and it was during this time that he began to develop his signature style. After graduation, he worked briefly as a cartoonist for the '''Cincinnati Post''' and later as a freelance artist, contributing to a variety of publications, including greeting cards and advertising. However, it was his creation of ''Calvin and Hobbes'' that would propel him to global fame.
After high school, Watterson attended [[Kenyon College]], where he majored in [[political science]]. He had already decided on a career in cartooning but he felt studying political science would help him move into editorial cartooning. He continued to develop his art skills and during his [[sophomore]] year he painted [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[Creation of Adam]]'' on the ceiling of his dormitory room.<ref>Watterson, Bill (May 20, 1990). [http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cglimpsed.html "Some Thoughts on the Real World by One Who Glimpsed It and Fled"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708132258/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cglimpsed.html |date=July 8, 2013 }}, ''Kenyon College Commencement Speech''</ref> He also contributed cartoons to the college newspaper, some of which included the original "Spaceman Spiff" cartoons.{{efn|Many of these early cartoons are archived online.<ref>{{cite web| title =Rare Bill Watterson Art| url =http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cbillart.html| publisher =Ignatz| access-date =June 12, 2014| archive-date =April 14, 2013| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130414224330/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cbillart.html| url-status =live}}</ref>}} Watterson graduated from Kenyon in 1980 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.
== Creation of Calvin and Hobbes ==
In 1985, Watterson created '''Calvin and Hobbes''', a comic strip centered around a mischievous, imaginative boy named '''Calvin''' and his best friend, a tiger named '''Hobbes'''. The strip was notable for its mix of playful humor, intellectual themes, and philosophical insights, often tackling topics such as childhood innocence, imagination, family dynamics, and societal issues. Calvin, an exuberant and unpredictable child, frequently engaged in adventurous fantasies with Hobbes, who, to Calvin, appeared as a real, talking tiger. To everyone else, Hobbes was a mere stuffed animal.
Later, when Watterson was creating names for the characters in his comic strip, he decided on Calvin (after the Protestant reformer [[John Calvin]]) and Hobbes (after the [[political philosopher]] [[Thomas Hobbes]]), allegedly as a "tip of the hat" to Kenyon's political science department. In ''The Complete Calvin and Hobbes'', Watterson stated that Calvin was named for "a 16th-century [[theologian]] who believed in [[predestination]]", and Hobbes for "a 17th-century [[philosopher]] with a dim view of [[human nature]]".<ref name="tenth p22"/>
Watterson created a fresh and unique world within the strip, blending '''fantasy and reality''' in a seamless way. The combination of Calvin's outlandish behavior and Hobbes' more grounded and witty commentary resulted in a dynamic that resonated with readers of all ages.
==Career==
=== Themes and Style ===
'''"Calvin and Hobbes"''' is known for its '''intellectual depth''' and '''sophisticated social commentary''', often addressing topics such as '''philosophy''', '''ethics''', and '''human nature''', all through the lens of Calvin’s childlike perspective. While many comic strips relied on straightforward humor, Watterson’s strip frequently explored deeper themes, with Calvin acting as a conduit for exploring subjects such as existentialism, materialism, and human fallibility. Despite its depth, the strip never lost its humor or lightheartedness.
===Early work===
The dynamic between Calvin and Hobbes was at the core of the strip’s emotional resonance. Calvin’s bold imagination and Hobbes' often sarcastic yet wise retorts made for a relationship that was both funny and heartwarming. Some of the most memorable moments of the strip involve Calvin’s interactions with Hobbes in their shared adventures, whether they were engaging in elaborate games of pretend or navigating the ups and downs of childhood and school life.
Watterson was inspired by the work of ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' [[political cartoonist]] [[Jim Borgman]], a 1976 graduate of Kenyon College, and decided to try to follow the same career path as Borgman, who in turn offered support and encouragement to the aspiring artist. Watterson graduated in 1980 and was hired on a trial basis at the ''[[Cincinnati Post]]'', a competing paper of the ''Enquirer''. Watterson quickly discovered that the job was full of unexpected challenges which prevented him from performing his duties to the standards set for him. Not the least of these challenges was his unfamiliarity with the Cincinnati political scene, as he had never resided in or near the city, having grown up in the [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] area and attending college in central Ohio. The ''Post'' fired Watterson before his contract was up.<ref name = "honk">{{Citation | url = http://home3.inet.tele.dk/stadil/interw.htm | publisher = Tele | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060218193101/http://home3.inet.tele.dk/stadil/interw.htm | archive-date =February 18, 2006 | title= Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes on cartooning, syndicates, Garfield, Charles Schulz, and editors | newspaper = Honk Magazine | issue = 2 | year = 1987 | access-date = March 17, 2006 | first = Andrew | last = Christie}}</ref>
He then joined a small [[advertising agency]] and worked there for four years as a designer, creating grocery advertisements while also working on his own projects, including development of his own cartoon strip and contributions to ''Target: The Political Cartoon Quarterly''.<ref name= "groc">{{Cite book | title = The Complete Calvin and Hobbes | chapter = Introduction| page = 491 | volume = 1 | publisher=Andrew McMeel | author-link = Bill Watterson | isbn = 0-7407-4847-5 | year = 2005 | first =Bill | last = Watterson}}</ref>
In terms of artistic style, Watterson’s illustrations were known for their '''fluidity''' and '''expressiveness'''. The characters were drawn with clean lines and simple shapes, but their facial expressions and body language conveyed a wide range of emotions. Watterson was particularly known for his dynamic '''panel layouts''' and use of '''full-page spreads''', which broke the mold of the standard comic strip format and allowed him to experiment with pacing and visual storytelling.
As a [[freelance]] artist, Watterson has drawn other works for various merchandise, including album art for his brother's band, calendars, clothing graphics, educational books, magazine covers, posters, and post cards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://platypuscomix.com/otherpeople/watterson.html|title=Bill Watterson's RAREST!|website=platypuscomix.com|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103152340/http://platypuscomix.com/otherpeople/watterson.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Innovations in the Comic Strip Industry ==
Watterson’s work on ''Calvin and Hobbes'' was groundbreaking not just in terms of its themes, but also in the way it challenged the conventions of the comic strip industry.
===''Calvin and Hobbes'' and rise to success===
=== Freedom and Control ===
Watterson has said that he works for personal fulfillment. As he told the graduating class of 1990 at Kenyon College, "It's surprising how hard we'll work when the work is done just for ourselves." ''Calvin and Hobbes'' was first published on November 18, 1985. In ''Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book'', he wrote that his influences included ''Peanuts'', ''Pogo'', and ''Krazy Kat''.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Watterson| first = Bill|title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| publisher = Andrews and McMeel| year = 1995|page = 21| isbn = 0-8362-0438-7}}</ref> Watterson wrote the introduction to the first volume of ''The Komplete Kolor Krazy Kat''. Watterson's style also reflects the influence of [[Winsor McCay]]'s ''[[Little Nemo|Little Nemo in Slumberland]]''.<ref name="bob">{{cite web|url=http://www.zompist.com/bob8.html|title=Winsor McCay: Little Nemo; Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend|publisher=Bob's Comics Reviews|date=November 1996|access-date=March 15, 2006|archive-date=March 24, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324025710/http://www.zompist.com/bob8.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="incr">{{Cite book |chapter-url=http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cslumberland.html| title=The Best of Little Nemo in Slumberland| chapter=An Incredible Ride To the End: An appreciation by Bill Watterson| page=195| publisher=Stewart, Tabori, & Chang| access-date=March 17, 2006| isbn=1-55670-647-2| year=1987| author=Winsor McCay, Richard Marschall| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125034527/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cslumberland.html| archive-date=November 25, 2005 }}</ref>
One of the most significant aspects of Watterson’s career was his refusal to compromise on his creative vision. In a time when many comic strips were heavily commercialized and driven by merchandise, Watterson made a conscious decision to keep ''Calvin and Hobbes'' free of licensing and merchandising. He famously rejected offers to create '''Calvin and Hobbes''' toys, animated adaptations, and other products, arguing that such commercialization would undermine the integrity of his work.
Like many artists, Watterson incorporated elements of his life, interests, beliefs, and values into his work—for example, his hobby as a [[cyclist]], memories of his own father's speeches about "building character", and his views on [[merchandising]] and [[corporations]].<ref>{{Cite book|last = Watterson| first = Bill|title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| publisher = Andrews and McMeel| year = 1995|page = 173|isbn = 0-8362-0438-7}}</ref> Watterson's cat Sprite very much inspired the personality and physical features of [[Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes)|Hobbes]].<ref name="tenth p22">{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA22|last = Watterson|first = Bill|title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book|publisher = Andrews and McMeel|year = 1995|page = 22|isbn = 0-8362-0438-7|access-date = January 3, 2020|archive-date = January 15, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230115125230/https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA22|url-status = live}}</ref>
Watterson’s decision to protect the strip from commercialization became a hallmark of his career, and it has since been praised for its commitment to artistic integrity. By refusing to license the characters, Watterson ensured that ''Calvin and Hobbes'' remained a '''pure artistic endeavor''', free from external pressures to dilute its quality for financial gain.
Watterson spent much of his career trying to change the climate of newspaper comics. He believed that the artistic value of comics was being undermined, and that the space that they occupied in newspapers continually decreased, subject to arbitrary whims of shortsighted publishers. Furthermore, he opined that art should not be judged by the medium for which it is created (i.e., there is no [[High culture|"high" art]] or [[Low culture|"low" art]]—just [[Culture|art]]).<ref name="tenthanniversary">{{Cite book| title=The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| author=Watterson, Bill
Watterson also took bold steps to innovate the comic strip format itself. In 1989, he famously fought for more creative freedom in the '''Sunday comic strip format''', which traditionally adhered to rigid layout structures. In many newspapers, Sunday comics were published as single large panels. Watterson pushed for the use of multiple panels and allowed for more elaborate storytelling and visual experiments, transforming the Sunday strip into a more expansive, creative medium.
Watterson wrote a foreword for ''[[FoxTrot]].''<ref>{{cite book |last=Martell|first=Nevin |author-link= |date= August 19, 2010|title= Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=50mEYVVdB1QC |location= |publisher= [[Bloomsbury Academic]]|page= |isbn= 9781441106858}}</ref>
== Legacy and Impact ==
'''"Calvin and Hobbes"''' ran from '''November 18, 1985''', until '''December 31, 1995''', after which Watterson retired from daily cartooning. During its ten-year run, the strip became one of the most popular and widely syndicated comics in history, with the final collections of the strips continuing to sell millions of copies worldwide. The strip was not just a commercial success, but also a critical one, receiving numerous awards and accolades, including the '''Reuben Award''' for Best Cartoonist of the Year in 1986, 1988, and 1992.
===Fight against merchandising his characters===
Although Watterson stepped away from the public eye after retiring from ''Calvin and Hobbes'', his impact on the comic strip industry and popular culture remains undeniable. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists of all time, and ''Calvin and Hobbes'' has inspired generations of readers, cartoonists, and creators in the broader world of animation and graphic novels.
For years, Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work, something that he felt would cheapen his comic through compromising the act of creation or reading.<ref name="cheapcomic">{{cite web| url=http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/comics.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210115506/http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/comics.html | archive-date=February 10, 2006| title=The Cheapening of the Comics| last=Watterson |first= Bill | publisher= Ohio State University| date=October 27, 1989| access-date=March 17, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cavna |first=Michael |date=December 31, 2020 |title='Calvin and Hobbes' said goodbye 25 years ago. Here's why Bill Watterson's masterwork enchants us still. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/12/31/calvin-hobbes-bill-watterson/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128005105/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/12/31/calvin-hobbes-bill-watterson/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
He refused to merchandise his creations on the grounds that displaying ''Calvin and Hobbes'' images on commercially sold mugs, stickers, and T-shirts would devalue the characters and their personalities. Watterson said that Universal kept putting pressure on him and that he had signed his contract without fully perusing it because, as a new artist, he was happy just to find a syndicate willing to give him a chance (two other syndicates had previously turned him down). He added that the contract was so one-sided that, if Universal really wanted to, they could license his characters against his will, and could even fire him and continue ''Calvin and Hobbes'' with a new artist. Watterson's position eventually won out and he was able to renegotiate his contract so that he would receive all rights to his work, but later added that the licensing fight exhausted him and contributed to the need for a nine-month sabbatical in 1991.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Watterson| first = Bill| title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| publisher = Andrews and McMeel| year = 1995| page = 10| isbn = 0-8362-0438-7| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA10| access-date = January 3, 2020| archive-date = January 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230115125230/https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA10| url-status = live}}</ref>
== Later Years and Return to Art ==
After retiring from ''Calvin and Hobbes'', Bill Watterson largely withdrew from the public eye, avoiding interviews and the media spotlight. However, in the years following his retirement, Watterson has made rare public appearances and occasional contributions to the world of comics.
Despite Watterson's efforts, many unofficial knockoffs have been found, including items that depict Calvin and Hobbes consuming alcohol or Calvin urinating on a logo. Watterson has said, "Only thieves and vandals have made money on ''Calvin and Hobbes'' merchandise."<ref>{{Cite book| last = Watterson| first = Bill| title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| publisher = Andrews and McMeel| year = 1995| page = 12| isbn = 0-8362-0438-7| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA12| access-date = January 3, 2020| archive-date = January 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230115125230/https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA12| url-status = live}}</ref>
In '''2014''', Watterson returned to the world of comics with the publication of a '''book''' titled '''"The Art of Calvin and Hobbes"''', which showcased his original drawings and illustrations. The book was well-received by fans and offered a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process.
===Changing the format of the Sunday strip===
In addition, Watterson teamed up with cartoonist '''[[John Kascht]]''' in '''2014''' to create a comic strip for '''"The Yeti"''', a graphic novel. This was the first new work by Watterson in nearly 20 years. His occasional reappearances in the comic world have sparked excitement among fans who continue to hold his work in high regard.
Watterson was critical of the prevailing format for the [[Sunday strip|Sunday comic strip]] that was in place when he began drawing (and remained so, to varying degrees). The typical layout consists of three rows with eight total squares, which take up half a page if published with its normal size.{{efn|In this context, half-page is an absolute size{{snd}}approximately half a nominal {{convert|8+1/2|x|11|in|cm|adj=on}} [[Letter (paper size)|page size]]{{snd}}and not related to the actual page size on which a cartoon might eventually be printed for distribution.}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wma.us/uploaded/eNotify/ParentAd8.5x11.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.wma.us/uploaded/eNotify/ParentAd8.5x11.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |title=Full Page Ads |website=wma.us |access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref> Some newspapers are restricted with space for their Sunday features and reduce the size of the strip. One of the more common ways is to cut out the top two panels, which Watterson believed forced him to waste the space on throwaway jokes that did not always fit the strip.
While he was set to return from his first sabbatical, Watterson discussed with his syndicate a new format for ''Calvin and Hobbes'' that would enable him to use his space more efficiently and would almost require the papers to publish it as a half-page. Universal agreed that they would sell the strip as the half-page and nothing else, which garnered anger from papers and criticism for Watterson from both editors and some of his fellow cartoonists (whom he described as "unnecessarily hot-tempered"). Eventually, Universal compromised and agreed to offer papers a choice between the full half-page or a reduced-sized version to alleviate concerns about the size issue. Watterson conceded that this caused him to lose space in many papers, but he said that, in the end, it was a benefit because he felt that he was giving the papers' readers a better strip for their money and editors were free not to run ''Calvin and Hobbes'' at their own risk. He added that he was not going to apologize for drawing a popular feature.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Watterson| first = Bill| title = Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book| publisher = Andrews and McMeel| year = 1995| page = 14| isbn = 0-8362-0438-7| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA14| access-date = January 3, 2020| archive-date = January 15, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230115125231/https://books.google.com/books?id=xtiMQXCLdJEC&pg=PA14| url-status = live}}</ref>
== Philosophy and Influence ==
Bill Watterson’s philosophy as a cartoonist was grounded in a deep respect for the medium and a strong belief in the power of art and storytelling. He once said, “I think the best cartoons are the ones that can be read at multiple levels. The ones that give readers something to come back to.”
===End of ''Calvin and Hobbes''===
He inspired a wave of '''comic creators''' who admired his ability to balance humor with intellectual depth. His influence can be seen in the works of creators like '''[[Jeff Kinney]]''' (''Diary of a Wimpy Kid''), '''[[Bill Amend]]''' (''Foxtrot''), and '''[[Stephen Pastis]]''' (''Pearls Before Swine'').
On November 9, 1995, Watterson announced the end of ''Calvin and Hobbes'' with the following letter to newspaper editors:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Bill Jr. |title=Newsletters Subscribe Lead The Calvin and Hobbes Resignation Letter Is the Best I've Ever Seen, and It's Suddenly Very Relevant |url=https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/the-calvin-hobbes-resignation-letter-is-best-ive-ever-seen-its-suddenly-very-relevant.html |website=Inc.com |access-date=September 26, 2023 |date=November 7, 2021}}</ref>
Bill Watterson’s contribution to the world of comics is immense. Through his creation of '''"Calvin and Hobbes,"''' he transformed the comic strip medium, offering readers a perfect blend of humor, philosophy, and heart. Watterson’s refusal to commercialize his work and his commitment to artistic freedom set him apart from other cartoonists, and his legacy as one of the most respected and influential comic creators of all time is secure. His work continues to inspire new generations of readers and creators, and the timeless adventures of Calvin and Hobbes remain as relevant and cherished as ever.
[[Category:American Cartoonist]]
{{bquote|
[[Category:Cartoonist]]
Dear Reader:<br />
<br />
I will be stopping ''Calvin and Hobbes'' at the end of the year. This was not a recent or an easy decision, and I leave with some sadness. My interests have shifted, however, and I believe I've done what I can do within the constraints of daily deadlines and small panels. I am eager to work at a more thoughtful pace, with fewer artistic compromises. I have not yet decided on future projects, but my relationship with Universal Press Syndicate will continue.<br />
<br />
That so many newspapers would carry ''Calvin and Hobbes'' is an honor I'll long be proud of, and I've greatly appreciated your support and indulgence over the last decade. Drawing this comic strip has been a privilege and a pleasure, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Bill Watterson}}
The last strip of ''Calvin and Hobbes'' was published on December 31, 1995.
==After ''Calvin and Hobbes''==
In the years since ''Calvin and Hobbes'' was ended, many attempts have been made to contact Watterson. Both ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'' and the ''[[Cleveland Scene]]'' sent reporters, in 1998 and 2003 respectively, but neither were able to make contact with the media-shy Watterson. Since 1995, Watterson has taken up painting, at one point drawing landscapes of the woods with his father. He has kept away from the public eye and shown no interest in resuming the strip, creating new works based on the strip's characters, or embarking on new commercial projects, though he has published several ''Calvin and Hobbes'' "treasury collection" anthologies. He does not sign autographs or license his characters. Watterson was once known to sneak autographed copies of his books onto the shelves of the Fireside Bookshop, a family-owned bookstore in his hometown of [[Chagrin Falls]], [[Ohio]]. He ended this practice after discovering that some of the autographed books were being sold online for high prices.<ref name="2005 AP story">{{cite web | url = http://www.projo.com/yourlife/content/projo_20051024_calhobbes.885b8c7.html | title = Calvin and Hobbes creator stays out of view, even at debut of collected strips | date = October 24, 2005 | access-date = April 30, 2010 | archive-date = March 16, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110316172002/http://www.projo.com/yourlife/content/projo_20051024_calhobbes.885b8c7.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
Watterson rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances. His lengthiest interviews include the cover story in ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' No. 127 in February 1989,<ref name="The Comics Journal No. 127, February 1989">{{cite web | url = http://www.tcj.com/the-comics-journal-no-127-february-1989/ | title = The Comics Journal No. 127, February 1989: Featuring an interview with Bill Watterson; an essay by Ralph Steadman; the Brad Holland sketchbook | publisher = Tcj.com | date = November 4, 2013 | access-date = November 4, 2013 | archive-date = November 8, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131108210931/http://www.tcj.com/the-comics-journal-no-127-february-1989/ | url-status = live }}</ref> an interview that appeared in a 1987 issue of ''[[Honk (magazine)|Honk Magazine]]'',<ref name="honk"/> and one in a 2015 Watterson exhibition catalogue.<ref name="wp111">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/10/read-heres-an-excerpt-from-bill-wattersons-rare-new-calvin-and-hobbes-interview/|title=Read: Here's an excerpt from Bill Watterson's rare new 'Calvin and Hobbes' interview|last=Cavna|first=Michael|date=March 10, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617061942/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/10/read-heres-an-excerpt-from-bill-wattersons-rare-new-calvin-and-hobbes-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On December 21, 1999, a short piece was published in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', written by Watterson to mark the forthcoming retirement of ''Peanuts'' creator Charles M. Schulz.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-21-cl-45937-story.html|title=Drawn Into a Dark but Gentle World|last=Watterson|first=Bill|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 21, 1999|access-date=December 4, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220090208/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/21/news/cl-45937|url-status=live}}</ref>
Circa 2003, [[Gene Weingarten]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' sent Watterson the first edition of the ''[[Barnaby (comic strip)|Barnaby]]'' book as an incentive, hoping to land an interview. Weingarten passed the book to Watterson's parents, along with a message, and declared that he would wait in his hotel for as long as it took Watterson to contact him. Watterson's editor Lee Salem called the next day to tell Weingarten that the cartoonist would not be coming.<ref name=martell/>{{rp|6}}
In 2004, Watterson and his wife Melissa bought a home in the Cleveland suburb of [[Cleveland Heights, Ohio]]. In 2005, they completed the move from their home in Chagrin Falls to their new residence.<ref>{{citation | url = http://ignatz.brinkster.net/ctigerstrikes.html | first = Neely | last = Tucker | contribution = The Tiger Strikes Again | title = The Washington Post | date = October 4, 2005 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814014701/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/ctigerstrikes.html | archive-date = August 14, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cprivacy.html | first = Joe | last = Milicia | title = ''Calvin and Hobbes'' Creator Keeps Privacy | publisher = Associated Press | date = October 22, 2005 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607004646/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cprivacy.html | archive-date = June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
In October 2005, Watterson answered 15 questions submitted by readers.<ref name="faniv">{{cite web| url=http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/books/comics-and-humor/calvinandhobbes/pw_watterson.html| title=Fans From Around the World Interview Bill Watterson| publisher=Andrews McMeel| date=October 4, 2005| access-date=March 17, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405173424/http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/books/comics-and-humor/calvinandhobbes/pw_watterson.html | archive-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> In October 2007, he wrote a review of ''Schulz and Peanuts'', a biography of Charles M. Schulz, in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.<ref name="wsj">{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB119214690326956694.html| title=The Grief That Made 'Peanuts' Good |last=Watterson |first=Bill | newspaper=The Wall Street Journal| date=October 12, 2007| access-date=August 27, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424105925/http://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB119214690326956694.html| archive-date=April 24, 2015 }}</ref>
In 2008, he provided a foreword for the first book collection of [[Richard Thompson (cartoonist)|Richard Thompson]]'s ''[[Cul de Sac (comic strip)|Cul de Sac]]'' comic strip. In April 2011, a representative for [[Andrews McMeel]] received a package from a "William Watterson in Cleveland Heights, Ohio" which contained a {{convert|6|×|8|in|cm|adj=on}} oil-on-board painting of ''Cul de Sac'' character Petey Otterloop, done by Watterson for the ''Team Cul de Sac'' fundraising project for [[Parkinson's disease]] in honor of Richard Thompson, who was diagnosed in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2009/07/some-news.html|title=Cul de Sac: Some News|last=Thompson|first=Richard|date=July 16, 2009|website=Cul de Sac|access-date=July 27, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817023120/http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2009/07/some-news.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Watterson's syndicate revealed that the painting was the first new artwork of his that the syndicate has seen since ''Calvin and Hobbes'' ended in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/this-just-in-first-new-art-from-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-in-16-years-syndicate-says/2011/04/22/AF7l7NQE_blog.html|title=This Just In: First new art from 'Calvin and Hobbes' creator in 16 years, syndicate says|first=Michael|last=Cavna|date=April 22, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 24, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003183129/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/this-just-in-first-new-art-from-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-in-16-years-syndicate-says/2011/04/22/AF7l7NQE_blog.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2009, Nevin Martell published a book called ''Looking for Calvin and Hobbes,'' which included a story about the author seeking an interview with Watterson. In his search he interviews friends, co-workers and family but never gets to meet the artist himself.
In early 2010, Watterson was interviewed by ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'' on the 15th anniversary of the end of ''Calvin and Hobbes''. Explaining his decision to discontinue the strip, he said,
{{bquote|
This isn't as hard to understand as people try to make it. By the end of ten years, I'd said pretty much everything I had come there to say. It's always better to leave the party early. If I had rolled along with the strip's popularity and repeated myself for another five, ten, or twenty years, the people now "grieving" for ''Calvin and Hobbes'' would be wishing me dead and cursing newspapers for running tedious, ancient strips like mine instead of acquiring fresher, livelier talent. And I'd be agreeing with them. I think some of the reason ''Calvin and Hobbes'' still finds an audience today is because I chose not to run the wheels off it. I've never regretted stopping when I did.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/02/bill_watterson_creator_of_belo.html|title=Bill Watterson, creator of beloved 'Calvin and Hobbes' comic strip looks back with no regrets|author=Campanelli, John |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]|date=February 1, 2010|access-date=February 1, 2010|archive-date=February 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202232313/http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/02/bill_watterson_creator_of_belo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
In October 2013, the magazine ''[[Mental Floss]]'' published an interview with Watterson, only the second since the strip ended. Watterson again confirmed that he would not be revisiting ''Calvin and Hobbes'', and that he was satisfied with his decision. He also gave his opinion on the changes in the comic-strip industry and where it would be headed in the future:
{{bquote|
Personally, I like paper and ink better than glowing pixels, but to each his own. Obviously the role of comics is changing very fast. On the one hand, I don't think comics have ever been more widely accepted or taken as seriously as they are now. On the other hand, the mass media is disintegrating, and audiences are atomizing. I suspect comics will have less widespread cultural impact and make a lot less money. I'm old enough to find all this unsettling, but the world moves on. All the new media will inevitably change the look, function, and maybe even the purpose of comics, but comics are vibrant and versatile, so I think they'll continue to find relevance one way or another. But they definitely won't be the same as what I grew up with.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/53216/mental-floss-exclusive-our-interview-bill-watterson |title=Mental Floss Exclusive: Our Interview with Bill Watterson! |date=October 17, 2013 |magazine=[[Mental Floss]] |access-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018002939/http://mentalfloss.com/article/53216/mental-floss-exclusive-our-interview-bill-watterson |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
In 2013 the documentary ''[[Dear Mr. Watterson]]'', exploring the cultural impact of ''Calvin and Hobbes'', was released. Watterson himself did not appear in the film.
On February 26, 2014, Watterson published his first cartoon since the end of ''Calvin and Hobbes'': a poster for the documentary ''[[Stripped (film)|Stripped]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gardner |first=Alan |url=http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2014/02/26/bill-watterson-provides-poster-art-for-stripped-documentary/ |title=Bill Watterson provides poster art for Stripped documentary The Daily Cartoonist |publisher=Dailycartoonist.com |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612231921/http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2014/02/26/bill-watterson-provides-poster-art-for-stripped-documentary/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cohen|first=Nicole|title='Calvin & Hobbes' Creator Pens His First Public Comic In 18 Years|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/27/283437272/calvin-hobbes-creator-pens-his-first-public-comic-in-18-years|work=NPR|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228124744/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/27/283437272/calvin-hobbes-creator-pens-his-first-public-comic-in-18-years|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, Watterson co-authored ''The Art of Richard Thompson'' with ''Washington Post'' cartoonist [[Nick Galifianakis (cartoonist)|Nick Galifianakis]] and David Apatoff.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Art of Richard Thompson|author1-last=Watterson|author1-first=Bill|author2-last=Galifianakis|author2-first=Nick|author3-last=Apatoff|author3-first=David|editor1-last=Sparks|editor1-first=Chris|editor2-last=Rhode|editor2-first=Michael|date=November 25, 2014|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|edition=1st|isbn=978-1449447953}}</ref>
In June 2014, three strips of ''[[Pearls Before Swine (comics)|Pearls Before Swine]]'' (published June 4, June 5, and June 6, 2014) featured guest illustrations by Watterson after mutual friend Nick Galifianakis connected him and cartoonist [[Stephan Pastis]], who communicated via e-mail.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leopold |first=Todd |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/08/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/watterson-pastis-calvin-hobbes-pearls-before-swine/index.html |title=How 'Calvin and Hobbes' met 'Pearls Before Swine' |publisher=CNN.com |date=June 8, 2014 |access-date=May 31, 2018 |archive-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724084403/https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/08/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/watterson-pastis-calvin-hobbes-pearls-before-swine/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pastis likened this unexpected collaboration to getting "a glimpse of Bigfoot".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stephanpastis.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/ever-wished-that-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-would-return-to-the-comics-page-well-he-just-did/ |title=Ever Wished That Calvin and Hobbes Creator Bill Watterson Would Return to the Comics Page? Well, He Just Did. | Pearls Before Swine |publisher=Stephanpastis.wordpress.com |date=June 7, 2014 |access-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=June 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611150813/http://stephanpastis.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/ever-wished-that-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-would-return-to-the-comics-page-well-he-just-did/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "I thought maybe Stephan and I could do this goofy collaboration and then use the result to raise some money for Parkinson's research in honor of [[Richard Thompson (cartoonist)|Richard Thompson]]. It seemed like a perfect convergence", Watterson told ''The Washington Post''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/26/this-just-in-bill-wattersons-pearls-before-swine-art-for-parkinsons-to-be-auctioned-in-august/ |title=This Just In: Bill Watterson's 'Pearls Before Swine' art for Parkinson's to be auctioned in August.; The Washington Post |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 26, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2014 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720104604/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/26/this-just-in-bill-wattersons-pearls-before-swine-art-for-parkinsons-to-be-auctioned-in-august/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The day that Stephan Pastis returned to his own strip, he paid tribute to Watterson by alluding to the final strip of ''Calvin and Hobbes'' from December 31, 1995.
On November 5, 2014, a poster was unveiled, drawn by Watterson for the 2015 [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]] where he was awarded the Grand Prix in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.20minutes.fr/culture/1474575-20141105-createur-calvin-hobbes-devoile-affiche-festival-angouleme|title=Le créateur de Calvin et Hobbes dévoile son affiche pour le festival d'Angoulême|publisher=20 Minutes|date=November 5, 2014|access-date=November 5, 2014|archive-date=November 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108014247/http://www.20minutes.fr/culture/1474575-20141105-createur-calvin-hobbes-devoile-affiche-festival-angouleme|url-status=live}}</ref>
On April 1, 2016, for [[April Fools' Day]], [[Berkeley Breathed]] posted on Facebook that Watterson had signed "the franchise over to my 'administration'". He then posted a comic with Calvin, Hobbes, and Opus all featured. The comic is signed by Watterson, though the degree of his involvement was speculative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed/photos/a.114529165244512.10815.108793262484769/1169777789719639/?type=3&theater|url-status=dead|title=Calvin and Hobbes signed over to Berkeley Breathed=20 Minutes|website=[[Facebook]]|date=April 1, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524030301/https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed/photos/a.114529165244512.10815.108793262484769/1169777789719639/?type=3&theater}}</ref> Breathed posted another "Calvin County" strip featuring Calvin and Hobbes, also "signed" by Watterson on April 1, 2017, along with a fake ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' story ostensibly detailing the "merger" of the two strips.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.berkeleybreathed.com/calvin-county-watterson-breathed-mashup-the-time-warneraol-merger-of-the-comic-world|title=Calvin County: Watterson – Breathed Mash-up: The Time Warner/AOL Merger of the Comic World|last=Derkins|first=Susie|date=April 1, 2017|publisher=BERKELEY BREATHED|access-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404050114/http://www.berkeleybreathed.com/calvin-county-watterson-breathed-mashup-the-time-warneraol-merger-of-the-comic-world|archive-date=April 4, 2017|url-status=dead }}</ref> Berkeley Breathed included Hobbes in a November 27, 2017, strip as a stand-in for the character Steve Dallas. Hobbes has also returned in the June 9, 11, and 12, 2021, strips<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=343072207180305&set=a.261773351976858|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=June 11, 2021|title=Hobbes stands in for Bill The Cat|website=[[Facebook]]|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610135815/https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=343072207180305&set=a.261773351976858|url-status=live}}</ref> as a stand-in for Bill The Cat.
===Exhibitions===
In 2001, the [[Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum]] at [[Ohio State University]] mounted an exhibition of Watterson's [[Sunday strip]]s. He chose thirty-six of his favorites, displaying them with both the original drawing and the colored finished product, with most pieces featuring personal annotations. Watterson also wrote an accompanying essay that served as the foreword for the exhibit, called "Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages 1985–1995", which opened on September 10, 2001. It was taken down in January 2002. The accompanying published catalog had the same title.<ref name="Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages">{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/books/detail?sku=9780740721359|title=Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday pages 1985–1995|publisher=Andrew Mcmeel|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606055203/http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/books/detail?sku=9780740721359|archive-date=June 6, 2017|url-status=dead }}</ref>
From March 22 to August 3, 2014, Watterson exhibited again at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University.<ref>{{Citation | publisher = OSU cartoons | title = Exploring Calvin & Hobbes | url = http://cartoons.osu.edu/events/exploring-calvin-and-hobbes/ | date = February 7, 2014 | access-date = July 9, 2014 | archive-date = August 11, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150811001523/http://cartoons.osu.edu/events/exploring-calvin-and-hobbes/ | url-status = live }}.</ref> In conjunction with this exhibition, Watterson also participated in an interview with the school.<ref>{{Citation | date = March 20, 2014 | type = blog | contribution-url = http://library.osu.edu/blogs/cartoons/2014/03/20/new-interview-calvin-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-and-cul-de-sac-creator-richard-thompson-talk-libraries-comics-and-the-creative-process-with-ohio-state/ | title = Cartoons | publisher = OSU Library | contribution = New interview: Calvin & Hobbes creator Bill Watterson & Cul de Sac creator Richard Thompson talk libraries, comics & the creative process with Ohio State | access-date = July 9, 2014 | archive-date = July 15, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140715163719/http://library.osu.edu/blogs/cartoons/2014/03/20/new-interview-calvin-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-and-cul-de-sac-creator-richard-thompson-talk-libraries-comics-and-the-creative-process-with-ohio-state/ | url-status = live }}.</ref> An exhibition catalog named ''Exploring Calvin and Hobbes'' was released with the exhibit. The book contained a lengthy interview with Bill Watterson, conducted by Jenny Robb, the curator of the museum.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/09/bill-watterson-talks-this-is-why-you-must-read-the-new-exploring-calvin-and-hobbes-book/ |title=Bill Watterson talks: This is why you must read the new 'Exploring Calvin and Hobbes' book |last1=Cavna |first1=Michael |date=March 9, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 6, 2015 |archive-date=May 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508214730/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/09/bill-watterson-talks-this-is-why-you-must-read-the-new-exploring-calvin-and-hobbes-book/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===''The Mysteries''===
Watterson released his first published work in 28 years on October 10, 2023, called ''The Mysteries''. It was an illustrated "fable for grown-ups" about "what lies beyond human understanding". The work was a collaboration with the illustrator and caricaturist John Kascht.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cantor |first=Matthew |date=February 22, 2023 |title='He created something magical': Calvin and Hobbes fans rejoice as creator plans first work in decades |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/22/calvin-hobbes-bill-watterson-the-mysteries-new-book |access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Degg |first=D. D. |date=February 14, 2023 |title=New Bill Watterson Book – Fall '23 – The Daily Cartoonist |url=https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2023/02/14/new-bill-watterson-book-fall-23/ |access-date=January 15, 2023 |website=The Daily Cartoonist}}</ref>
==Awards and honors==
Watterson was awarded the [[National Cartoonists Society]]'s Reuben Award in both 1986 and 1988.<ref name="reub">{{cite web | url = http://www.reuben.org/reuben.html | title = Reuben Award Winners 1946–Present | publisher = National Cartoonist Society | access-date = October 31, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120420080045/http://www.reuben.org/reuben.html | archive-date = April 20, 2012 }}</ref> Watterson's second Reuben win made him the youngest cartoonist to be so honored, and only the sixth person to win twice, following [[Milton Caniff]], Charles M. Schulz, [[Dik Browne]], [[Chester Gould]], and [[Jeff MacNelly]]. [[Gary Larson]] is the only cartoonist to win a second Reuben since Watterson.
In 2014, Watterson was awarded the Grand Prix at the [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]] for his body of work, becoming just the fourth non-European cartoonist to be so honored in the first 41 years of the event.
*1986: [[Reuben Awards|Reuben Award]], Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year
*1988: [[Reuben Awards|Reuben Award]], Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year
*1988: [[National Cartoonists Society]], Newspaper Comic Strips Humor Award
*1988: [[Sproing Award]], for ''Tommy og Tigern'' (''Calvin and Hobbes'')
*1989: [[Harvey Award]], [[List of Harvey Award winners#Special Award for Humor|Special Award for Humor]], for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1990: Harvey Award, [[List of Harvey Award winners#Best Syndicated Strip or Panel|Best Syndicated Comic Strip]], for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1990: [[Max & Moritz Prize]], [[Max & Moritz Prizes#1990|Best Comic Strip]], for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1991: Harvey Award, Best Syndicated Comic Strip, for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1991: [[Adamson Awards|Adamson Award]], for ''Kalle och Hobbe'' (''Calvin and Hobbes'')
*1992: Harvey Award, Best Syndicated Comic Strip, for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1992: [[Eisner Award]], [[List of Eisner Award winners#Best Comic Strip Collection|Best Comic Strip Collection]], for ''The Revenge of the Baby-Sat''
*1992: [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]], [[Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize for Best Comic Book#1990s|Prize for Best Foreign Comic Book]], for ''En avant tête de thon!''
*1993: [[Eisner Award]], Best Comic Strip Collection, for ''Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons''
*1993: Harvey Award, Best Syndicated Comic Strip, for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1994: Harvey Award, Best Syndicated Comic Strip, for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1995: Harvey Award, Best Syndicated Comic Strip, for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1996: Harvey Award, Best Syndicated Comic Strip, for ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*2014: Grand Prix, [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]]<ref>{{cite web | trans-title = Angoulême: the Grand prize attributed to Bill Watterson, the father of ‘Calvin & Hobbes’ | url = http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2014/02/02/angouleme-le-grand-prix-attribue-a-bill-watterson-le-pere-de-calvin-et-hobbes_4358548_3246.html | title = Angoulême : le Grand Prix attribué à Bill Watterson, le père de " Calvin et Hobbes " | work = Le Monde | language = fr | date = February 2, 2014 | access-date = June 12, 2014 | archive-date = October 25, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141025031733/http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2014/02/02/angouleme-le-grand-prix-attribue-a-bill-watterson-le-pere-de-calvin-et-hobbes_4358548_3246.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
*2020: Inducted into the [[List of Eisner Award winners#The Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame|Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame]]
==Bibliography==
{{see also|List of Calvin and Hobbes books}}
*1987: ''Calvin and Hobbes''
*1988: ''Something Under the Bed is Drooling''
*1988: ''Yukon Ho!''
*1990: ''Weirdos from Another Planet''
*1991: ''The Revenge of the Baby-Sat''
*1991: ''Scientific Progress Goes "Boink"''
*1992: ''Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons''
*1993: ''The Days are Just Packed''
*1994: ''Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection''
*1995: ''The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book''
*1996: ''There's Treasure Everywhere''
*1996: ''It's a Magical World''
*2023: ''The Mysteries''
'''Treasury collections'''
*1988: ''The Essential Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury''
*1989: ''The Lazy Sunday Book''
*1990: ''The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes''
*1992: ''The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes''
*2002: ''Calvin and Hobbes Sunday Pages 1985–1995''
*2005: ''The Complete Calvin and Hobbes''
*2019: ''The Complete Calvin and Hobbes'' (reprint)
==Notes==
{{notes}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Citation |url=http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/02/bill_watterson_creator_of_belo.html |title=Bill Watterson, creator of beloved 'Calvin and Hobbes' comic strip looks back with no regrets |date=February 1, 2010 |type=interview |first=John |last=Campanelli |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |place=Cleveland}}
* {{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414224330/http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cbillart.html |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |url=http://ignatz.brinkster.net/cbillart.html |title=Rare Bill Watterson Art |website=Calvin and Hobbes: Magic on Paper}}
* {{Cite news |date=October 3, 2005 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301754.html | last=Tucker | first=Neely |title=After an Early Bedtime, Calvin and Hobbes Are Up and Running in a New Collection |access-date=October 4, 2005|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=Washington Post Co.|type=book review including broad look at Watterson's career}}
* {{Citation |title=In Search of Bill Watterson |date=Nov 2005 |format=Blogger |url=http://jawboneradio.blogspot.com/2005/11/jawbone-81-in-search-of-bill-watterson.html |type=interview with Bill Watterson's mother |at=7min 10s}}.
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/missing/Content?oid=1484634 | last=Renner | first=James | title=Missing! Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson. Last seen in northeast Ohio. Do not approach |type=on Watterson's career and reclusiveness | date=November 26, 2006 |website=Cleveland Scene |publisher=Euclid Media Group}}
* {{Citation |url=http://www.serverunderground.com/archive/bill_watterson.html |first=Bill |last=Watterson |author-link=Bill Watterson |title=Commencement speech |publisher=Kenyon College |date=May 20, 1990 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315021322/http://www.serverunderground.com/archive/bill_watterson.html |archive-date=March 15, 2011 }}, [http://www.ankitsrivastava.net/tchotchkes/kenyon-speech/ Bill Watterson's Commencement Address to Kenyon College].
* {{Citation |editor-last=Morzins |editor-first=J |url=http://web.mit.edu/jmorzins/www/C-H-speech.html |title=Calvin and Hobbes at Martijn's |first=Bill |last=Watterson |author-mask=3 |publisher=MIT Press|location=Cambridge, MA}}.
{{Calvin and Hobbes}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watterson, Bill}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:American comic strip cartoonists]]
[[Category:American people of English descent]]
[[Category:Artists from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Calvin and Hobbes| ]]
[[Category:Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême winners]]
[[Category:Harvey Award winners]]
[[Category:Kenyon College alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Chagrin Falls, Ohio]]
[[Category:Reuben Award winners]]
Latest revision as of 19:19, 2 December 2024
Bill Watterson
Bill Watterson (born July 5, 1958) is an American cartoonist best known as the creator of the widely influential and beloved comic strip"Calvin and Hobbes". First published in 1985, the strip became a worldwide phenomenon, appreciated for its sharp wit, humor, emotional depth, and its satirical take on contemporary life. Watterson's work reshaped the world of comic strips, and his lasting impact on the medium is still felt today.
Early Life and Education
Bill Watterson was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he attended Chagrin Falls High School. He showed an early interest in drawing and was encouraged by his family and teachers. After high school, Watterson attended Kenyon College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1981. Despite his interest in art, Watterson initially pursued a more practical degree, though he continued to develop his skills as an artist throughout his college years.
While at Kenyon, Watterson drew cartoons for the college newspaper, and it was during this time that he began to develop his signature style. After graduation, he worked briefly as a cartoonist for the Cincinnati Post and later as a freelance artist, contributing to a variety of publications, including greeting cards and advertising. However, it was his creation of Calvin and Hobbes that would propel him to global fame.
Creation of Calvin and Hobbes
In 1985, Watterson created Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip centered around a mischievous, imaginative boy named Calvin and his best friend, a tiger named Hobbes. The strip was notable for its mix of playful humor, intellectual themes, and philosophical insights, often tackling topics such as childhood innocence, imagination, family dynamics, and societal issues. Calvin, an exuberant and unpredictable child, frequently engaged in adventurous fantasies with Hobbes, who, to Calvin, appeared as a real, talking tiger. To everyone else, Hobbes was a mere stuffed animal.
Watterson created a fresh and unique world within the strip, blending fantasy and reality in a seamless way. The combination of Calvin's outlandish behavior and Hobbes' more grounded and witty commentary resulted in a dynamic that resonated with readers of all ages.
Themes and Style
"Calvin and Hobbes" is known for its intellectual depth and sophisticated social commentary, often addressing topics such as philosophy, ethics, and human nature, all through the lens of Calvin’s childlike perspective. While many comic strips relied on straightforward humor, Watterson’s strip frequently explored deeper themes, with Calvin acting as a conduit for exploring subjects such as existentialism, materialism, and human fallibility. Despite its depth, the strip never lost its humor or lightheartedness.
The dynamic between Calvin and Hobbes was at the core of the strip’s emotional resonance. Calvin’s bold imagination and Hobbes' often sarcastic yet wise retorts made for a relationship that was both funny and heartwarming. Some of the most memorable moments of the strip involve Calvin’s interactions with Hobbes in their shared adventures, whether they were engaging in elaborate games of pretend or navigating the ups and downs of childhood and school life.
In terms of artistic style, Watterson’s illustrations were known for their fluidity and expressiveness. The characters were drawn with clean lines and simple shapes, but their facial expressions and body language conveyed a wide range of emotions. Watterson was particularly known for his dynamic panel layouts and use of full-page spreads, which broke the mold of the standard comic strip format and allowed him to experiment with pacing and visual storytelling.
Innovations in the Comic Strip Industry
Watterson’s work on Calvin and Hobbes was groundbreaking not just in terms of its themes, but also in the way it challenged the conventions of the comic strip industry.
Freedom and Control
One of the most significant aspects of Watterson’s career was his refusal to compromise on his creative vision. In a time when many comic strips were heavily commercialized and driven by merchandise, Watterson made a conscious decision to keep Calvin and Hobbes free of licensing and merchandising. He famously rejected offers to create Calvin and Hobbes toys, animated adaptations, and other products, arguing that such commercialization would undermine the integrity of his work.
Watterson’s decision to protect the strip from commercialization became a hallmark of his career, and it has since been praised for its commitment to artistic integrity. By refusing to license the characters, Watterson ensured that Calvin and Hobbes remained a pure artistic endeavor, free from external pressures to dilute its quality for financial gain.
Rejection of the Sunday Comic Format
Watterson also took bold steps to innovate the comic strip format itself. In 1989, he famously fought for more creative freedom in the Sunday comic strip format, which traditionally adhered to rigid layout structures. In many newspapers, Sunday comics were published as single large panels. Watterson pushed for the use of multiple panels and allowed for more elaborate storytelling and visual experiments, transforming the Sunday strip into a more expansive, creative medium.
Legacy and Impact
"Calvin and Hobbes" ran from November 18, 1985, until December 31, 1995, after which Watterson retired from daily cartooning. During its ten-year run, the strip became one of the most popular and widely syndicated comics in history, with the final collections of the strips continuing to sell millions of copies worldwide. The strip was not just a commercial success, but also a critical one, receiving numerous awards and accolades, including the Reuben Award for Best Cartoonist of the Year in 1986, 1988, and 1992.
Although Watterson stepped away from the public eye after retiring from Calvin and Hobbes, his impact on the comic strip industry and popular culture remains undeniable. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists of all time, and Calvin and Hobbes has inspired generations of readers, cartoonists, and creators in the broader world of animation and graphic novels.
Later Years and Return to Art
After retiring from Calvin and Hobbes, Bill Watterson largely withdrew from the public eye, avoiding interviews and the media spotlight. However, in the years following his retirement, Watterson has made rare public appearances and occasional contributions to the world of comics.
In 2014, Watterson returned to the world of comics with the publication of a book titled "The Art of Calvin and Hobbes", which showcased his original drawings and illustrations. The book was well-received by fans and offered a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process.
In addition, Watterson teamed up with cartoonist John Kascht in 2014 to create a comic strip for "The Yeti", a graphic novel. This was the first new work by Watterson in nearly 20 years. His occasional reappearances in the comic world have sparked excitement among fans who continue to hold his work in high regard.
Philosophy and Influence
Bill Watterson’s philosophy as a cartoonist was grounded in a deep respect for the medium and a strong belief in the power of art and storytelling. He once said, “I think the best cartoons are the ones that can be read at multiple levels. The ones that give readers something to come back to.”
He inspired a wave of comic creators who admired his ability to balance humor with intellectual depth. His influence can be seen in the works of creators like Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), Bill Amend (Foxtrot), and Stephen Pastis (Pearls Before Swine).
Bill Watterson’s contribution to the world of comics is immense. Through his creation of "Calvin and Hobbes," he transformed the comic strip medium, offering readers a perfect blend of humor, philosophy, and heart. Watterson’s refusal to commercialize his work and his commitment to artistic freedom set him apart from other cartoonists, and his legacy as one of the most respected and influential comic creators of all time is secure. His work continues to inspire new generations of readers and creators, and the timeless adventures of Calvin and Hobbes remain as relevant and cherished as ever.
