Calvin and Hobbes Book Series: Discover Bill Watterson legendary comic strips
It’s a magical world, ol’ buddy … Let’s go exploring!
What is Calvin and Hobbes about?
Written and illustrated by cartoonist Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes is a daily American comic strip that was syndicated from November 18, 1985 to December 31, 1995 telling us the story of a boy, Calvin, and his tiger named Hobbes.
Named after the 16th-century theologian John Calvin, Calvin is a mischievous and adventurous six-year-old boy, with an imagination as big as his hatred for school. Quite intelligent, maybe too much for his age, with a creative mind, Calvin just don’t know yet there are some things you don’t tell or do. Calvin’s best friend is Hobbes an anthropomorphic tiger named after the 17th-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes with a more dim view of human nature. Calvin (and Hobbes) must obey – but don’t if possible – his parents, Mrs Wormwood, his teacher, Rosalyn, his babysitter. He also interacts with Susie Derkins, a classmate who lives in the same street, and Moe, the school bully.
This article will not be updated anymore. Since we have launched a blog dedicated to comic book reading orders, you can find an up-to-date version of this Calvin & Hobbes Reading Order here.
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
Let’s begin with the Complete Calvin and Hobbes, collecting the entire body of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons. A must-have. 
- The Complete Calvin and Hobbes hardcover or paperback – Three (hardcover) of Four (paperback) volume set containing all strips. includes Spiff feature, the illustrated poems, and color prints of other cover art. Introduction and commentary.
List of Calvin and Hobbes books:
You can also find all the strips in the following books.
- Calvin and Hobbes – Strips from November 18, 1985 to August 17, 1986. Foreword by Garry Trudeau.
- Something Under the Bed Is Drooling – Strips from August 18, 1986 to May 23, 1987. Foreword by Pat Oliphant.
The Essential Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury
All strips from Calvin and Hobbes and Something Under the Bed Is Drooling. Foreword by Charles M. Schulz.
- Yukon Ho! – Strips from May 24, 1987 to February 21, 1988.
- Weirdos from Another Planet! – Strips from February 22, 1988 to December 4, 1988. Some strips from November are also found in The Revenge of the Baby-Sat.
The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury
All strips from Yukon Ho! and Weirdos from Another Planet! Includes Seven-page story in which Calvin becomes an elephant.
- The Revenge of the Baby-Sat – Strips from December 5, 1988 to September 10, 1989.
- Scientific Progress Goes “Boink” – Strips from September 11, 1989 to July 7, 1990. Some strips from June and July are also found in Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons.
The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury
All strips from The Revenge of the Baby-Sat and Scientific Progress Goes “Boink” and Several illustrated poems.
- Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons – Strips from July 8, 1990 to April 10, 1991.
- The Days Are Just Packed – Strips from April 11, 1991 to November 1, 1992 excluding May 5, 1991 to Feb 1, 1992 due to repeats.
- Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat – Strips from November 2, 1992 to August 29, 1993.
- There’s Treasure Everywhere – Strips from August 30, 1993 to April 8, 1995 excluding April 3 to December 31, 1994 due to repeats. Some strips from March and April 1995 are also found in It’s a Magical World.
- It’s a Magical World – Strips from March 20, 1995 to December 31, 1995. Some strips from March and April are also found in There’s Treasure Everywhere.
More Calvin and Hobbes Books
More Calvin and Hobbes books in the form of anthologies, a children’s textbook and a catalogue for the exhibit.
- The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book: A Collection of Sunday Calvin and Hobbes Cartoons – Strips from May 24, 1987 to July 30, 1989. Sunday strips only.
- The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book – Collection of strips chosen by the author. Commentary by Watterson and annotations on individual strips.
- Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages, 1985-1995 – Collection of Sunday strips chosen by the author. Original sketches and commentary by Watterson.
- Teaching with Calvin and Hobbes – Fifty-seven strips comprising five stories: “The Binoculars,” “The Find,” “The Christmas Story,” “The Bug Collection,” and “The Report”. Lesson units by Linda Holmen and Mary Santella-Johnson based on the strips. Rare and highly valued collectible.
- Exploring Calvin and Hobbes: An Exhibition Catalogue – Catalogue for the exhibit by the same name at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University. Original art and commentary by Watterson.
