It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that everyone knows (or are at least familiar with) the mischievous golden-haired boy and his feline best friend, Calvin and Hobbes. Started out in 1985, the comic lasted for a good 10 years, giving its readers a regular dose of the duo’s (mis)adventures.
Although we know Calvin for his wild antics, his “dad polls”, and his huge crush on Susie Derkins which he refuses to admit, there were times when Calvin and Hobbes went for the jugular and asked all the heavy and important questions.
- Death
For a kid, Calvin thought a lot about death, its purpose, and its meaning. But for the most part, he simply questions its incomprehensibility. His reaction to death, however, is quite remarkable as shown in the raccoon arc of the comic.
2. Sexism
Calvin and Susie’s relationship is one you often see among kids where they always fight but secretly like each other. It’s pure, cute, and innocent…and also makes for a good vehicle for commentaries on sexism. Although not exactly “deep” in the philosophical sense, Calvin and Susie’s constant bickering do shed light on issues like male privilege (depicted above), feminism (as shown by Susie’s character as a strong female child), and society’s stereotypical views of women (as shown below).
3. State of the World
Calvin is pretty wise for a six-year old and he seems to think about things deeper than your average kid. The innocence with which he approaches concepts which adults would consider as matters of extreme importance, shows how shallow human nature can sometimes be.
4. Love
What better way to explain to a six-year old what love is than with actual physical feelings?
5. Fate and/or Destiny
Fate and destiny appears in Calvin and Hobbes’ conversations from time and time and their reaction to the possible inevitability of things is something we are all familiar to. It’s scary, it’s puzzling, and it makes us wonder if children actually think about these things.
6. Life
As if fate, destiny, and death weren’t enough, Calvin also muses over life in general. Oftentimes, the comic gives us a reflection on how children (or people, in general) live their lives these days—stuck at home with their technology.
7. Friendship
Of course, what else can Calvin and Hobbes show us the best other than friendship? These two have been together through a lot of adventures (both imaginary and otherwise) that they’re practically inseparable. They’ve shown readers the perfect example of true friendship and what it can do.
Either way, philosophical and political rhetoric aside, Calvin and Hobbes is one of those classics that never grow old. It’s hilarious, it’s imaginative, and it brings out the child in all of us.
Any favorite strip where C and H talk it out deep? Leave them on the comments below!
