Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson has penned some of the most iconic stories ever made in the world of newspaper comic strips. However, before the legendary cartoonist retired, his final installment of the long-running comic ended up being the perfect sendoff for the series. In his last Calvin and Hobbes adventure, published more than two decades ago, Watterson gave an emotional, hopeful sendoff to the two beloved characters that showcased the artist and writer's true genius.
Calvin and Hobbes ended its ten-year run in syndication in 1995, with Bill Watterson's last story coming out on New Year's Eve of that year. The final chapter featured Calvin and Hobbes playing in the snow, commenting on how "everything familiar has disappeared" due to the weather. Comparing the snow to a "big white sheet of paper to draw on," the comic sent an inspiring message about the possibilities of new beginnings and finding your magic in the world. The final strip ended with Calvin and Hobbes sledding down the snow, with the six-year-old excitingly telling his stuffed tiger, "let's go exploring."
Few comic strips or any forms of entertainment have been as popular as Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes was - and still is. The comic, featuring the adventures of the six-year-old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes, was published in thousands of newspapers and reached audiences worldwide, becoming a household name. The relationship between Calvin and Hobbes was inspiring, taught important life lessons, and showcased unforgettable and humorous situations in which a youngster would find themselves with their stuffed animal. While Watterson's comic ended in 1995, the final chapter of Calvin and Hobbes showed the genius behind the story, sharing a last touching message to readers.
Calvin and Hobbes Ended on The Perfect Note
The comic was a great sendoff for Calvin and Hobbes and a fitting last message to readers. Watterson let his massive audience know that the world is a magical place and that even without new chapters of Calvin and Hobbes and change - like in the weather - there's plenty to discover and explore.
So, while seeing the adventures of Calvin and Hobbes conclude was a sad day for many readers, as, of course, they'd like them to go on forever, Watterson showed that there's magic in the unknown and that many things can be discovered when exploring a fresh, new world. The final comic strip in the series from Bill Watterson definitely left readers teary-eyed as, for the last time, he showed what made him a genius in the medium and what made the original adventures between Calvin and Hobbes so special, to begin with.