scorecard'Calvin and Hobbes' just turned 30 - here's the history of the strip and its mysterious creator Bill Watterson
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'Calvin and Hobbes' just turned 30 - here's the history of the strip and its mysterious creator Bill Watterson

November 18, 1985: The first "Calvin and Hobbes" strip was published by Universal Press Syndicate.

'Calvin and Hobbes' just turned 30 - here's the history of the strip and its mysterious creator Bill Watterson

1986: Watterson became the youngest person to win the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society. He won again in 1988 and was nominated once more in 1992.

1986: Watterson became the youngest person to win the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society. He won again in 1988 and was nominated once more in 1992.

This is one of the rare photos of Watterson in public circulation.

(Source)

Watterson turned down meetings with both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas after they expressed interest in the comic.

Watterson turned down meetings with both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas after they expressed interest in the comic.

He also received a fan letter from horror author Stephen King.

(Source)

December 31, 1995: After a little more than 10 years of the comic, the final "Calvin and Hobbes" strip ran. It was being published by more than 2,400 newspapers at the time.

December 31, 1995: After a little more than 10 years of the comic, the final "Calvin and Hobbes" strip ran. It was being published by more than 2,400 newspapers at the time.

Watterson announced his retirement with this statement:

"This is not a recent or 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."

(Source)

It has been estimated that Watterson and Universal Press Syndicate lost out on $300 million to $400 million by not accepting merchandising deals.

It has been estimated that Watterson and Universal Press Syndicate lost out on $300 million to $400 million by not accepting merchandising deals.

(Source and Source)

Watterson refused to license the comic because he felt that it cheapened the experience. In a Q&A on his publisher's website, he said it "seemed to violate the spirit of the strip, contradict its message, and take me away from the work I loved."

Watterson refused to license the comic because he felt that it cheapened the experience. In a Q&A on his publisher

He was also worried that he might lose the comic, having originally signed away a majority of his rights to get the comic syndicated.

In a 1987 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he said, "But it seems that with a lot of the marketing stuff, the incentive is just to cash in. It's not understanding what makes the strip work."

(Source and Source)

Watterson was, and still is, also strongly against an animated version of the comic strip. In a 2013 interview with Mental Floss, he said, "As a comic strip, 'Calvin and Hobbes' works exactly the way I intended it to. There’s no upside for me in adapting it."

Watterson was, and still is, also strongly against an animated version of the comic strip. In a 2013 interview with Mental Floss, he said, "As a comic strip,

More than 23 million "Calvin and Hobbes" books are in print and 14 book collections have sold a million copies within their first year of publication.

More than 23 million "Calvin and Hobbes" books are in print and 14 book collections have sold a million copies within their first year of publication.

In 2005, the 20th-anniversary collection was published by Andrews McMeel and each copy sold for $150, making it one of the most expensive books to appear on the New York Times best-seller list.

In 2014, "Exploring Calvin and Hobbes," an extensive interview with Watterson, was published.

(Source)

The car decal of Calvin peeing on the Ford logo is not a sanctioned "Calvin and Hobbes" item. In a 2005 Q&A, Watterson said he “clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo.”

The car decal of Calvin peeing on the Ford logo is not a sanctioned "Calvin and Hobbes" item. In a 2005 Q&A, Watterson said he “clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo.”

Though Watterson was adamantly against licensing, he did approve select items such as two calendars (1989 and 1990), a language tutorial book called "Teaching with Calvin and Hobbes," and a postage stamp issued by the US Postal Service in 2010.

Though Watterson was adamantly against licensing, he did approve select items such as two calendars (1989 and 1990), a language tutorial book called "Teaching with Calvin and Hobbes," and a postage stamp issued by the US Postal Service in 2010.

The comic also appeared on a Museum of Modern Art shirt in 2001.

(Source)

2010: Reruns of the comic were still being published in 50 countries, though none were being reprinted in North America.

2010: Reruns of the comic were still being published in 50 countries, though none were being reprinted in North America.

2012: Due to the rarity of "Calvin and Hobbes" items, an original 1986 comic strip by Watterson was sold for the record-breaking price of $203,150.

2012: Due to the rarity of "Calvin and Hobbes" items, an original 1986 comic strip by Watterson was sold for the record-breaking price of $203,150.

Watterson has been named one one of the most reclusive celebrities by Time magazine.

Watterson has been named one one of the most reclusive celebrities by Time magazine.

2014: Watterson teamed up with "Pearls Before Swine" creator Stephen Pastis on a series of three comic strips.

2014: Watterson teamed up with "Pearls Before Swine" creator Stephen Pastis on a series of three comic strips.
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