The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Set 2

by Bill Watterson

The second set of books collecting Bill Watterson's timeless Calvin and Hobbes comics in a new portable format designed to introduce the timeless adventures of a boy and his stuffed tiger to a new generation of readers. Featuring nearly 500 comics presented chronologically from March 1987 to July 1988, this is the second set in a series of seven.

Calvin and Hobbes is unquestionably one of the most popular comic strips of all time. The imaginative world of a boy and his real-only-to-him tiger first appeared in 1985 and could be read in more than 2,400 newspapers when Bill Watterson retired on January 1, 1996.

A compact set perfect for introducing the timeless adventures of Calvin and Hobbes to a new generation of readersPortable new format fits easily into backpacks as well as on the collector's shelfComposed of two 144-page paperback books, including nearly 500 comics from March 1987 to July 1988
Featuring archival slipcase and cover art selected by the author, The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium pays tribute to the strip's origin in newspapers while appealing to both new and existing fans of Calvin and Hobbes. Take Calvin and Hobbes along wherever you go, or share them with a reader who appreciates exhilarating adventures and profound wisdom in a classic comic strip!

Genres: Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Humor, Comic Strips, Graphic Novels Comics, Comedy

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Bill Watterson (born William Boyd Watterson II) is an American cartoonist, and the author of the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes". His career as a syndicated cartoonist ran from 1985 to 1995; he stopped drawing "Calvin and Hobbes" at the end of 1995 with a short statement to newspaper editors and his fans that he felt he had achieved all he could in the comic strip medium. During the early years of his career he produced several drawings and additional contributions for "Target: The Political Cartoon Quarterly". Watterson is known for his views on licensing and comic syndication, as well as for his reclusive nature.

Reviews

[Taylor Jenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin and Hobbes is always funny and cute!

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent second set in the series. I love Calvin’s sense of humor and never get bored reading about his adventures.

This particular book had a lot of memorable moments. Because the author started writing longer mini stories, the comic strip has become more cohesive. Calvin invented a device called the transmogrifier that appears at the beginning, end, and middle of the book. There was a scene where Hobbes caught Calvin cheating in Monopoly. Calvin said robbing the bank wasn’t technically against the rules, so Hobbes had no other choice but to tackle him again. One of my favorite moments was when Calvin built the family of snowmen. He placed three strategically around his dad’s car and put a disassembled snowman on the car’s hood. Afterwards, the dad said they should take him to a psychologist.

I have the third compendium, but I’ll have to savor it. Patiently awaiting the fourth collection.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of early Calvin & Hobbes comics featuring the rambunctious little first grader Calvin and his toy tiger with whom he has imaginary adventures.

I feel like Watterson was finding his groove still in these comics. Some a funny and some are meh. I really don’t find the ones where Calvin is giving his dad performance reviews funny at all. But there was the first appearance of the snowmen in this one, and I didn’t remember the comics in which Hobbes makes Calvin recite a lengthy ode to his wonders to get in the treehouse and those are funny. And I always love when Roslyn the babysitter shows up. Those comics are hilarious.

Notes on content:
Language: None (some mild name calling, like stupid).
Sexual content: None
Violence: Only imagined
Ethnic diversity: Calvin and his family are white American.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Some disrespect to parents (though they always win and he doesn’t get away with anything).

[Eric Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the first set, this is an interesting way to "package" the series, more like the original way the Garfield books were published. This particular set includes the last part of the treasury The Essential Calvin and Hobbes and about three quarters of The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes. Strangely, it continues the weird habit of both the first set and of the treasury series to print a whole string of daily strips without the intervening Sunday strips (for example, the final fifteen pages/ thirty daily strips of book four were printed straight through with no Sunday strips).

[João Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just can smile and learn with this two. The best partnership!

[Kristy Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun comic book about little Calvin and his imaginary tiger friend. The author has a great imagination and really understands the inner worlds of children. Great for all ages.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son is loving me reading this to him almost as much as I'm loving reading it to him.

[Christian Maric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watterson is Schulz's heir, clever meditations on humanity couched in childhood experiences.

[KingLukem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Watterson (can’t you hear me?)

[Deepa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a hilarious book. So deep at the same time. Love love Calvin and Hobbes.

[Ruth Gutwein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh it’s my favorite delusional 6-year-old and definitely alive stuffed animal :))

[Pat Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this comic strip, so funny and so clever

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these books, but this volume really made me realize how much this 6 year old talks like a 40 year old man. ;)

[Speco · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0
Calvin and Hobbes might be THE definition of comfort characters

[Alfred Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always a pleasure to read the greatest comic strip ever!