The Complete Calvin and Hobbes - Book Two

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes #2

by Bill Watterson

[ Box Set | Book One | Book Two | Book Three ]

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 was first syndicated in 1985 and appeared in more than 2,400 newspapers when Bill Watterson retired on January 1, 1996. The entire body of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons published in a truly noteworthy tribute to this singular cartoon in The Complete Calvin and Hobbes. Composed of three hardcover, four-color volumes in a sturdy slipcase, this New York Times best-selling edition includes all Calvin and Hobbes cartoons that ever appeared in syndication. This is the treasure that all Calvin and Hobbes fans seek.

Genres: Comics, Fiction, Humor, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Childrens

480 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2005

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

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic volume. Near the end of this Watterson takes a sabbatical and comes back with very different looking Sunday pages.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBVIOUSLY this is 5-stars.

[Dhwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best pandemic read ever.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just so good.

[Berkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book super quickly, mostly because I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING!!! I loved Calvin's attitude, and how he acts like he never does anything wrong. It's hilarious!!

[Keenan Crone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book of the complete Calvin and Hobbes collection contains many of my favourite storylines and comics. The quality definitely improves from the first third of Bill Watterson's work.

I will be curious to see if the final book can improve yet again or if the quality plateaus or drops off.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with the kids. It's hard to place a "gold years" era for Calvin and Hobbes but Watterson had really hit his stride by these strips and many of them are among my (and now my kids') favorites.

[Blindzider · Rating 5 out of 5]

See the review for the box set for my comments on the set.

A couple of my favorites in here are: Hobbes cutting Calvin's hair and Calvin ordering and waiting for propeller beanie. I also love anything with Calvin making snowmen.

[John Ollerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard E Grant said everyone should have a packet of happiness every day. He was definitely referring to Calvin and Hobbes.

[London Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin and Hobbes was a HUGE part of my childhood. These books were so entertaining. The art. The stories. They captivated my young mind. However, reading them as I’ve grown up has shown me another level to these beloved classics. A deeper level.

The philosophy and commentary on the human condition within Calvin and Hobbes is stunning. With topics ranging from the education system, pollution, materialism and much more Watterson packed quite a punch and made me examine myself more deeply.

If you haven’t already done so go and buy a Calvin and Hobbes collection. Then sit down and enjoy it.

[Hal Brodsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. 5 characters total, I believe. Watterson is a superior cartoonist employing various styles.

[Andrew C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't have too much fun to the point of not being a functional human.
A.K.A. Don't have an addiction to fun

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no such thing as a bad Calvin & Hobbes strip. Not an individual comic, nor a storyline unfolding over days or weeks. Calvin & Hobbes is funny, poignant, and memorable no matter where in the comic's 10-year history you're reading. That said, I enjoyed THE COMPLETE CALVIN & HOBBES: VOLUME 2 more than the first volume for one simple reason: I hadn't read most of them before.

Growing up, my mom bought me the C&H hardcovers that collected a year's worth (give or take) of strips. VOLUME 1 of COMPLETE was familiar territory for me, but VOLUME 2 was largely knew. It covers 1989 through the first half of 1992, during which Watterson experimented more with recurring gimmicks and added continuity, such as Calvin and his babysitter, Rosalyn, remembering what each did to the other on the last occasion they met. That may be my favorite recurring gimmick, followed by Calvin informing his dad of where he stands in the "dad polls," and right up there with Calvin making some philosophical point while he and Hobbes race pell-mell down a hill in their wagon or sled.

Calvin & Hobbes bring me so much joy, and the growing realization that most of VOLUME 2 was uncharted territory for me compounded that joy. I can't wait to see what VOLUME 3 holds in store.

[Hanneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great sense of humour. Enjoy these jewels:

Calvin: Help me (hic) get (hic) rid of (hic) these darn (hic) hic (hic) hiccups!
Hobbes: How?
Calvin: (hic) Scare me.
Hobbes: Ok... Our oceans are filled with garbage, we've created a hole in the ozone that's frying the planet, nuclear waste is piling up without a safe way to get rid of it...
Calvin: (hic) I mean, SURPRISE me (hic).
Hobbes: That doesn't?! Boy, you're cynical.


...


Calvin: I've been thinking, Hobbes.
Hobbes: On a weekend?
Calvin: Well, it wasn't on purpose..

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Calvin and Hobbes, and have since I was a young child and they were being printed in the newspapers (remember those?)! I love that this series resonated with me as a kid and still resonates with me as an adult. And Bill Watterson is just hilarious.
In this volume, I was poignantly struck by Calvin's observation, "Most people only go outside to get to their cars." It is a lovely fall morning, so I went for a walk after snacking on a few more comics...

[Harrison Delahunty · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a chunk of comics in a row here that feel extremely mean-spirited, and make Calvin wholly unlikeable.

Aside from this chunk, basically everything about this strip continues to improve exponentially. Philosophical quandaries, inventive layouts and perspectives, and moments that strike a real chord become more and more common as it goes.

[BrUcEq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entire thing in like two days cause it was soooooooo good. There was one part I don't really get, the question is kinda dumb but is hobbes real or fake... Other than that, the book was super funny. I loved it

[Trey Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume. Some nice storylines that I've never seen anyone talk about before. The house getting broken into and the car backing out into the ditch are some that really stand out. Watterson's colors and detailed drawings get more and more phenomenal as these volumes go on

[Nicole Flowers Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Calvin and Hobbes! It's fun revisiting them as an adult. It's funny rereading them as an adult. Read this book. Its good fun!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wholesome fun for the whole family. Totally recommend for parents, especially if you have boys.

[Diego Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.9
I don't think this needs any written review at this point.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, so many strips that are fantastic...my favorite comic by far. Sure wish he'd never stopped, but I get the burnout aspect and am still so happy we got what we did.

[Mark Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turns out I’ve already read this, but still just as enjoyable the second time through. Wholesome, fun and comforting.

[Peter Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

[hirene "read omniscient reader's viewpoint" chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

these are rlly funny calvin is also kinda a conservative like mysogyny is big and also esl mm and yeah 💀

[Diago Padilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever!

[Brandon Williford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will never waver from the idea that Calvin & Hobbes is one of the best pieces of literature ever.

[Isabel DuBose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely read. Boy do I love these comics

[Gary Detrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can you say; it's Calvin and Hobbes. One ofthe best daily cartoon strips of all time! Always brings a smile to your face.

[Henry Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it had so many good comic strips