Ever since it began its prolific run in 1985, Calvin and Hobbes has brought nostalgia to readers who want to reminisce on their childhoods. Calvin’s zany shenanigans are certainly memorable, but one of the most moving parts of the comic is his bond with his parents, as messy as it can admittedly be.
Calvin’s parents, though unnamed within the comic itself, play a key role throughout the series as they try – and, more often than not, fail – to reel in their son’s wild antics. For all the headaches Calvin gives them, however, they also share plenty of sweet scenes that bring back memories of simpler, nostalgic times.
These 10 classic Calvin and Hobbes comic strips feature the most heartwarming moments shared between Calvin and his parents, and they’ll make just about anyone want to give their own parents a call to catch up.
10
Calvin Impersonates His Dad, And His Mom’s Reaction Is Priceless
First Published: December 7th, 1990
While the majority of Calvin’s practical jokes on his parents provoke an angry response from them, this prank inspires a different reaction. Calvin’s father asks his wife where his glasses are, as he’s been unable to find them. Suddenly, Calvin walks out wearing them, and he’s combed his hair to resemble his father’s. Doing an impression of his dad, he says, “Calvin, go do something you hate! Being miserable builds character!”
Calvin’s dad doesn’t look too thrilled about his son’s impersonation of him. His mother, on the other hand, laughs hysterically at their son’s antics, marking a shift from her usual outbursts towards Calvin in a surprisingly wholesome interaction. Getting on a parent’s nerves can be fun for kids, yet bringing them joy through comedy is even more satisfying.
9
Calvin and Hobbes Shows How Bedtime Routines Can Backfire
First Published: February 22nd, 1987
Any parent can attest to the fact that putting a child to bed can be way more difficult than it has any right to be. No kid likes bedtime, but Calvin’s mom makes the process of putting her son to bed even worse in this comic. She chases him around and tickles him, both of them laughing throughout the silly game. It’s always touching to see Calvin and his mother get along this well, since he often pushes her buttons.
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Calvin and his mother’s game backfires, though, because all she does is rile him up when she’s supposed to be calming him down so he can fall asleep. It doesn’t take long for her to pass out herself, snoring on the floor while Calvin is wide awake.
8
Calvin’s Parents Acknowledge Hobbes as Part of the Family
First Published: May 4th, 1989
Hobbes is a central figure in Calvin’s life, seeing as he is one of the comic’s titular characters. With that said, although he is Calvin’s “imaginary” friend, his parents see him as an ordinary stuffed tiger. Thus, it’s hard to determine whether they care about their son’s plush toy as much as he does, but this comic solves that mystery.
After Calvin’s house is robbed, he frantically searches for Hobbes and worries that he’s been stolen until his mom finds him. Calvin hugs Hobbes, and his mother says, “It looks like we’re a whole family again.” Calvin’s parents know how much he loves Hobbes, so they see him as part of their family. Anyone who grew up with a stuffed animal of their own will know how precious this sentiment is.
7
Calvin and Hobbes Offers a Nostalgic Look at Christmas Morning
First Published: December 25th, 1992
For all the stress that children put parents through, there are moments that make the struggle worth it in the end. Christmas morning is one of those happy times, and this comic depicts it in a sweet way that brings back treasured holiday memories. Calvin eagerly opens his parents by the tree, while his parents look like they’re ready to pass out after staying up late to wrap presents.
While Calvin’s dad comments on how “this could’ve waited until sunrise”, his wife shushes him and tells him to take a picture of their son’s joyful moment. Cultivating Christmas magic for kids is no small feat for parents, and Calvin’s parents in particular have put themselves through the wringer by the looks of it – all to make their son smile.
6
Calvin’s Nightmare Leads to a Surprisingly Sweet Moment
First Published: March 25th, 1990
Calvin’s family enjoys a rare moment of comfortable silence at the start of this comic, as they all read together on the couch before bed – even though Calvin accuses them of messing with the TV in order to initiate this bonding time. Nonetheless, everything is going swimmingly, until Calvin claims that he’s not sleepy. Suddenly, his parents reveal that they’re aliens, unmasking themselves as Calvin screams in horror.
His alien parents prepare to bake him into “Earth boy waffles”, until he wakes up to find that it was all just a dream. He still insists that he isn’t tired, only to fall right asleep. Calvin’s parents are enamored by his sleepy state as they carry him upstairs, in a tender scene that brings back childhood memories.
5
Calvin’s Mom Lies to Her Son, But She Has a Good Reason
First Published: November 15th, 1988
Calvin’s dad has been guilty of giving his son vague advice or complete misinformation as a harmless prank, but his mother has done the same when the situation calls for it. In this comic, Calvin refuses to eat rice in his meal, following the example of many children who don’t eat certain foods. His mom investigates his soup, then says, “I didn’t put any rice in. These are maggots.”
Calvin is immediately disgusted by this lie, but he ends up devouring the soup, claiming that the kids at school will be impressed that he ate maggots. Sometimes white lies are necessary to convince kids to eat their food, so this is really an example of how much Calvin’s mom cares about him.
4
Calvin’s Dad Gives Good Advice, He’s Just Too Young to Get It
First Published: August 2nd, 1987
Calvin’s dad is known to give advice to Calvin throughout Calvin and Hobbes – between his harmless lies, of course. As Calvin asks when the coals will heat up so they can cook hamburgers, his dad says, “Sometimes the anticipation of something is more fun than the thing itself once you get it.”
This advice from Calvin’s father is one of the better life lessons he imparts upon his son, as he’s trying to teach him about enjoying the smaller things in life rather than fixating on the future and missing out on the present. Unfortunately, Calvin is too young to fully wrap his head around his dad’s words. Many people only follow their parents’ advice once they’re adults themselves, and Calvin will likely be no different.
3
Calvin’s Real Sick Day Puts His Fake Ones to Shame
First Published: October 15th, 1988
No parent likes seeing their child get sick, even when that child is as wild and frustrating as Calvin tends to be. Calvin’s mother checks on him in this comic strip after a long night of the poor boy throwing up, and she offers to schedule a doctor’s appointment for him. She’s still suspicious, though, because Calvin has faked sick to get out of school before.
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However, once Calvin acknowledges that he won’t miss school since he’s sick on a Saturday, it sets in for his mother that he is actually ill. After all, he has no incentive to fake it. Calvin’s mom worriedly rushes to the phone to call the doctor, conveying just how concerned she is for her son’s health despite their frequent ups and downs.
2
Calvin Loves His Parents, Even If He Doesn’t Always Show It
First Published: November 6th, 1986
It’s no secret that Calvin can be a nightmare for his parents to deal with, but he can also be surprisingly earnest. The previous Calvin and Hobbes comic features Calvin catching a cold and his mom caring for him, but this strip flips the script as Calvin has to take care of his mother instead of the other way around.
He offers to read her a bedtime story, but she refuses. Calvin, wanting to make his mother feel better, adorably comments that “it’s hard to be a mom for a mom”. His mom then gives him a big hug, despite her son’s hilarious protests. Calvin may give his parents a hard time, but moments like these demonstrate how much he truly appreciates them.
1
Calvin and Hobbes’ Snow Day Still Brings Tears to Readers’ Eyes
First Published: January 14th, 1990
This comic is arguably the most heartwarming Calvin and Hobbes strip ever published, and it conveys a touching story without a single line of dialogue. Calvin sees that it’s snowing outside, and he invites his dad to play outside with him. Much to his dismay, his father refuses so he can focus on his paperwork.
After a while, his dad experiences a change of heart and runs off to join Calvin in the snow. The father and son play together with smiles on their faces, appreciating each other’s company rather than getting caught up in work or other unimportant matters. This emotional Calvin and Hobbes comic will inspire just about anyone to pay their parents a much-needed visit and spend quality time together.
- Writer
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Bill Watterson
- Colorist
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Bill Watterson
- Publisher
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Andrews McMeel Publishing
Summary
Calvin and Hobbes was a satirical comic strip series that ran from 1985-1995, written, drawn, and colored by Bill Watterson. The series follows six-year-old Hobbes and his stuffed Tiger, Calvin, that examines their lives through a whimsical lens that tackles comedic everyday issues and real-world issues that people deal with.
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