"Calvin and Hobbes" readers: what's the best book for a newbie reader?

***Soulhunter123*** · April 4th, 2006

Hi guys and gals. I'm not sure how many of you read the wonderful comics of Calvin and Hobbes, but I'm looking to introduce a FEMALE friend to them, and I was wondering what Treasury/Collection book was best for a newbie, female reader?

I was thinking "The Essential C&H" or "The Authoritative C&H", but any other suggestions would do. Thanks.

***N88TR*** · April 7th, 2006

I still remember them in the Sunday comics section. Was it really that long ago? Any collection of them in the books is good. I don't recall if any of them actually explain how Hobbes is lifelike, or maybe that's just part of the magic and is never explained, I don't remember.

Any of them is great. Make sure they're really by the author though. It's mostly [nothing crude or swears or sexual references] clean, and would make a good present to a younger sibling as well. I think there are 4 or 5 books in total that encompass all of the comics.

***Locomotor*** · April 7th, 2006

I used to read the books, I liked them a lot when I was younger. Haven't read one of the comics in years though.

***C38368*** · April 8th, 2006

Just pick one. Doesn't matter. It's Calvin & Hobbes; there is no story arc. I mean c'mon... the kid was six years old for something like ten years! His parents don't have names!

Any book, but I'd lean towards one of the larger compilations, like a treasury, if only because there's more content.

Pb2Au · April 8th, 2006

Whether Hobbes was imaginary or real was never explained, in any of the books.
If this were a literary series, I might have a suggestion on where to start, but it's a comic strip. Disjointed stories, all funny. Doesn't really matter.
For the sake of full appreciation, however, start with comics from the middle of Watterson's career. In those strips, the characters are more developed, and the artwork is more grounded. Other than that, it matters not.

***fett321*** · April 11th, 2006

I would have to agree, there is no real beginning. If you get the complete works, you might find a beginning, but I was always partial to the Lazy Sunday collection. It is a huge collection of Sunday cartoons of Calvin and Hobbes. I still read them.