Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes is loved by readers all over. It’s a comic strip with great humor, but it also has big ideas and a fantastic way of showing what it’s like to be a kid.
If you are looking for creators with a similar kind of approach, here are some authors you might enjoy.
Charles Schulz is the creator behind the beloved “Peanuts” comic strip, filled with humor and simple wisdom that fans of Bill Watterson might appreciate.
In “The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 1: 1950-1952,” readers meet Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the rest of the gang through daily comic strips.
The collection introduces readers to Charlie Brown’s quiet frustrations, Snoopy’s playful adventures, and Lucy’s witty commentary, capturing the funny and insightful moments of everyday life.
Schulz’s writing and drawing style are thoughtful and endearing, with relatable characters whose quirks and observations invite genuine smiles.
Gary Larson is the creator behind the beloved comic “The Far Side,” a hilarious and offbeat collection of cartoons that explore the absurd side of everyday life.
His book “The Far Side Gallery” gives readers a series of clever, one-panel comics filled with quirky animals, side-splitting takes on scientific facts, and imaginative portrayals of ordinary moments.
Larson has a smart, playful wit and an eye for the humor hidden in the most unexpected places.
Fans of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” who appreciate sharp humor, relatable yet eccentric characters, and light-hearted reflections on life will find plenty to enjoy in Larson’s work.
Books by Berkeley Breathed often reflect the humor, wit, and thoughtful perspective readers enjoy in Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes.
In his collection “Bloom County: Loose Tails,” Breathed introduces us to eccentric yet endearing characters such as Opus the penguin, Milo Bloom, and Bill the Cat.
Through sharp satire and playful absurdity, these characters tackle everything from political commentary to everyday human quirks.
Fans of Watterson’s clever comic strips are likely to appreciate the insightful humor and memorable personalities throughout Breathed’s vivid storytelling.
Jeff Smith is a cartoonist best known for his graphic novel series “Bone”. This series follows the three Bone cousins—Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone—as they become lost in a mysterious valley full of magic, monsters, and strange adventures.
The cousins soon discover an ancient conflict threatening the valley, and their humorous, often absurd encounters make for an enjoyable read.
Smith’s artwork is expressive and dynamic, filled with warmth and imagination similar to the charm found in Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes”. “Bone” blends fantasy elements with clever dialogue and humor, making Jeff Smith an author worth reading for any Bill Watterson fan.
Aaron McGruder is an author and cartoonist known for his sharp humor and insightful social commentary.
If you enjoy Bill Watterson’s satirical style in “Calvin and Hobbes,” you might appreciate McGruder’s comic strip collection “The Boondocks: Because I Know You Don’t Read the Newspaper.”
The book centers around two young brothers, Huey and Riley Freeman, who move from the city to a quiet suburban neighborhood with their grandfather. Huey’s straightforward, socially-aware view of the world clashes humorously and thoughtfully with the suburban life around him.
McGruder tackles tough topics like race, politics, and media culture, always prompting readers to reflect on society through laughter and wit.
Lynda Barry is a cartoonist and author known for combining humor, emotion, and sharp insight into everyday life. If you’re a fan of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes,” you might enjoy Barry’s “Cruddy.”
The novel follows a teenager named Roberta Rohbeson, who narrates her strange and often unsettling journey through adolescence using vivid writing and darkly humorous sketches.
The unique mix of gritty storytelling and quirky illustrations brings a fresh, honest perspective to growing up. Barry’s richly detailed characters capture your attention in the same way Calvin’s imaginative adventures do.
If you enjoy the humor and thoughtful insights of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes,” you might appreciate the graphic novels of Art Spiegelman. Spiegelman is best known for “Maus,” a profound blend of memoir and graphic storytelling.
The book follows the author’s conversations with his father, Vladek, a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. Through striking visuals and sharp dialogue, Spiegelman portrays Jews as mice and Nazis as cats, offering a deep look into his family’s memories and struggles.
It’s moving, honest, heartbreaking, and an entirely unique reading experience.
Readers who appreciate the humor and wit of Bill Watterson might enjoy exploring the work of Kate Beaton. Her book, “Hark! A Vagrant,” is a witty collection of comics that blend history, literature, and clever commentary.
She takes historical figures and situations, gives them a hilarious twist, and brings the past to life in an entertaining and often absurd way.
In this book, you’ll meet everything from quirky interpretations of Jane Austen characters to amusing portrayals of obscure historical events. Beaton’s sharp humor and unique artistic style make “Hark! A Vagrant” a refreshing and enjoyable read.
Books by Roz Chast offer a funny yet thoughtful look at life. Chast is a cartoonist known for her quirky, expressive style, often featured in The New Yorker. Her book “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” combines sharp humor and heartfelt honesty.
It tells the story of her elderly parents’ final years—from their stubborn refusal to discuss aging to the emotional challenges she faces as their caregiver.
Through cartoons and short prose, Chast captures the humor and frustration of family relationships, aging, and end-of-life issues.
Readers who appreciate Bill Watterson’s wise, humorous insights in “Calvin and Hobbes” may find Roz Chast’s candid storytelling equally engaging and moving.
Brian Crane is an American cartoonist known for his humorous comic strip series, “Pickles.” The strip portrays the everyday adventures and gentle misadventures of Earl and Opal Pickles, a retired couple navigating their golden years.
With lighthearted charm, Crane captures life’s simple joys and relatable quirks through their interactions with family, friends, and pets.
If you enjoyed Bill Watterson’s playful wit and warm observations on ordinary life, the lively banter between Earl’s playful teasing and Opal’s clever comebacks in “Pickles” may appeal to you as well.
Readers who enjoy Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” might also appreciate Patrick McDonnell’s thoughtful and charming storytelling. McDonnell is the creator of the popular comic strip “Mutts,” known for its warmth, humor, and gentle reflections on friendship and life.
In his picture book “Me...Jane,” McDonnell beautifully imagines Jane Goodall’s childhood curiosity about animals and nature.
Through simple yet expressive illustrations and a relatable narrative, “Me...Jane” portrays Jane’s early fascination with animals, dreams of Africa, and bond with her toy chimpanzee Jubilee.
The story captures the innocent wonder of childhood adventures and celebrates curiosity that eventually leads to extraordinary discoveries.
Readers who enjoy Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” usually appreciate humor that highlights life’s absurdities through playful, imaginative characters. Matt Groening, creator of “The Simpsons,” offers similar delight in his comic collection “Love Is Hell.”
This quirky book explores the awkward side of romantic relationships through dark humor and sarcastic wit. Groening builds laughs out of relatable situations like disastrous dates, misunderstandings, and absurd romantic ideals.
His crude but clever sketches and honest observations about love make this collection a humorous read that’s both cynical and charming.
Bill Amend is the creator behind the popular comic strip “FoxTrot,” a funny take on the daily chaos of family life.
In his collection “FoxTrot: The Works,” Amend introduces readers to the Fox family: Roger, the well-intentioned but clueless dad; Andy, the practical mom who keeps everything running; Peter and Paige, teenagers caught in the usual sibling battles; and Jason, the ultra-smart younger brother obsessed with science, video games, and tormenting his sister Paige.
Fans of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” will enjoy Amend’s humor. His characters deal with relatable challenges at home and school, framed through exaggerated antics and clever dialogue.
The mix of family warmth, sharp wit, and creative storytelling makes Amend’s comic strip a fresh new find for Watterson enthusiasts.
Dan Piraro is a cartoonist known for his humor and quirky perspective on daily life. His book “Bizarro and Other Strange Manifestations of the Art of Dan Piraro” is a delightful collection of cartoons that poke fun at the absurdity of modern living.
Piraro uses surreal images, witty lines, and a playful approach that keeps readers smiling.
Readers who appreciate Bill Watterson’s imagination and clever social commentary in “Calvin and Hobbes” may find themselves drawn to Piraro’s humorous takes on society, animals, and human interactions.
The book includes his most entertaining and thought-provoking pieces, which invite readers into a world where the weird and funny blend effortlessly.
Readers who enjoy Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” might appreciate Richard Thompson’s “Cul de Sac.” Thompson was an American cartoonist known for his playful humor and delightful observations of everyday life.
In “Cul de Sac,” readers meet Alice Otterloop, a spirited, curious preschooler, navigating childhood in a suburban neighborhood with charm and wit.
The comic strip portrays the adventures, misunderstandings, and humorous viewpoints of Alice and her friends, reflecting childhood innocence in a funny and relatable way.
Thompson’s lively illustrations and gentle, clever storytelling remind readers of the whimsy that makes Watterson’s work special.