If you enjoy reading books by Bill Watterson then you might also like the following authors:
Charles Schulz is best known for creating the beloved comic strip “Peanuts.” His work introduces readers to a cast of quirky characters, with Charlie Brown at the heart of it all. One memorable story appears in “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.”
In it, Linus faces a challenge when his grandmother insists he give up his cherished security blanket. The humor comes alive through the group’s antics, with Lucy’s bossy nature and Snoopy’s playful mischief adding to the charm.
Fans of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” might enjoy Schulz’s ability to mix humor and heartfelt moments in relatable, everyday situations.
Gary Larson is the creator of the cartoon series *The Far Side*. His humor feels quirky and offbeat, often capturing absurd situations with unique characters.
In his collection, “The Far Side Gallery”, Larson brings together a selection of his single-panel comics that explore strange worlds where cows have secret lives, insects hold therapy sessions, and everyday moments collide with surreal twists.
It’s packed with little surprises that keep you wondering what joke or clever idea is around the corner. Fans of Bill Watterson might enjoy how Larson uses quick wit and visual humor to create funny and unexpected scenarios.
Berkeley Breathed is best known for his imaginative and humorous works that mix heart and wit. His book “Bloom County: The Complete Library” is a collection of his popular comic strips.
Set in a quirky small town, the stories follow characters like Opus the penguin and Bill the Cat as they navigate everyday life with a satirical edge. The humor often touches on social and cultural themes in a way that feels both silly and sharp.
If you enjoy Bill Watterson’s mix of philosophy and fun in “Calvin and Hobbes,” you’ll likely connect with Breathed’s unique style.
Jeff Smith is the creator of the graphic novel series “Bone.” The story starts when the three Bone cousins—Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone—get forced out of their hometown and find themselves in a mysterious valley.
There, they meet strange creatures, a farm girl named Thorn, and her tough-as-nails grandma. The charm of the humor and the simplicity of the characters blend beautifully with an epic tale filled with secrets and danger.
Fans of Bill Watterson might enjoy the mix of quirky humor and heartfelt moments in Smith’s work.
Aaron McGruder is best known for creating “The Boondocks,” a comic strip that blends sharp humor with social commentary. The story revolves around two young brothers, Huey and Riley, who relocate from the city to a predominantly white suburban neighborhood with their Granddad.
Huey, the older brother, is politically aware, while Riley often gets caught up in trouble due to his admiration for gangster culture.
The strip captures modern issues with wit and boldness, similar to Bill Watterson’s ability to mix humor with deeper ideas in “Calvin and Hobbes.”
Lynda Barry is a cartoonist and writer whose work feels like stepping into the imagination of a child while also facing the raw truths of growing up.
In her book “Ernie Pook’s Comeek,” she captures the awkwardness, humor, and sadness of childhood through the eyes of Marlys and her family.
Marlys is quirky and full of life, sometimes obnoxious but endlessly interesting as she deals with crushes, family drama, and trying to understand the world around her.
Barry’s drawings and stories are full of messy humanity, and her style has a sense of honesty that might remind readers of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes,” but with a touch of bittersweet reality.
Art Spiegelman is a cartoonist and graphic novelist best known for his book “Maus.” In this powerful story, he portrays his father’s experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The narrative uses animals to represent different groups—Jews are mice, and Nazis are cats.
Through the layered storytelling, you see the struggles of survival and the heavy impact of trauma on families. Fans of Bill Watterson, who appreciate meaningful stories told through expressive illustrations, might find Spiegelman’s work fascinating.
Kate Beaton is a cartoonist known for her clever humor and sharp storytelling. One of her books, “Hark! A Vagrant,” is a collection of comics that play with history, literature, and pop culture in ways that are both smart and hilarious.
The strips often feature historical figures like Napoleon or Tesla in ridiculous and unexpected scenarios. Her art style feels warm and expressive, with characters who burst with personality.
If you enjoy Bill Watterson’s mix of wit and charm in “Calvin and Hobbes,” you might find yourself smiling at Beaton’s work too.
Roz Chast is a cartoonist known for her witty and offbeat illustrations. Her book, “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?”, is a graphic memoir that shares her personal experience caring for her aging parents.
The book balances moments of humor with the challenges and emotions that come with family and growing older. Chast uses her signature style to bring everyday struggles to life, offering a heartfelt glimpse into her world.
Fans of Bill Watterson might enjoy her relatable storytelling and unique visual voice.
Brian Crane is the cartoonist behind the comic strip “Pickles.” If you enjoy Bill Watterson’s “Calvin & Hobbes,” you might find Crane’s humor to your liking.
In “Pickles,” Crane takes a lighthearted look at the daily lives of an elderly couple, Earl and Opal, along with their dog and grandson. The strip blends funny, everyday situations with heartwarming insights about family and growing older.
Earl often gets into mischief or says something offbeat, while Opal tries to keep things running smoothly. It’s a warm, relatable celebration of family life.
Patrick McDonnell is a cartoonist and author known for his warm humor and thoughtful storytelling. His book “The Gift of Nothing” is a sweet and simple tale about friendship. In the story, Mooch, a curious little cat, wants to find the perfect present for his best friend, Earl.
But Earl already has everything, so Mooch decides to give him “nothing.” It’s a clever and heartfelt story that’s perfect for fans of Bill Watterson’s work. McDonnell’s illustrations feel cozy and full of charm, bringing the characters to life in a way that stays with you.
Matt Groening is the creator of *The Simpsons* and *Futurama,* but he also wrote some great books packed with the same humor and wit. One of his books, “Love Is Hell,” is a collection of comic strips that poke fun at relationships in a way that’s both clever and a little dark.
It’s full of funny, exaggerated characters dealing with the ups and downs of love. Fans of Bill Watterson’s *Calvin and Hobbes* might enjoy the imaginative edge Groening adds to everyday situations. The humor feels sharp, but it’s also oddly relatable.
Bill Amend is a cartoonist best known for creating the comic strip “FoxTrot.” His work focuses on family life with a fun and quirky twist.
In “FoxTrot,” you’ll find the chaotic adventures of the Fox family, including Jason, a geeky kid obsessed with science and video games, and his rebellious sister Paige. It’s packed with humor, clever dialogue, and relatable moments.
If you enjoy Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes,” you might enjoy the wit and goofy scenarios in Amend’s work.
Dan Piraro is a cartoonist known for his offbeat humor and clever illustrations. His work often leans into the absurd while poking fun at everyday life.
One of his books, “Bizarro and Other Strange Manifestations of the Art of Dan Piraro,” showcases a collection of his single-panel comics. These cartoons take ordinary situations and twist them in ways that make you stop and think, then laugh.
There’s one where a man hires a private investigator to follow himself, and another where animals comment on human behavior as if it were the strange anomaly.
It’s full of sharp wit and surreal imagery that feels playful but thoughtful at the same time, which might appeal to fans of Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes.
Richard Thompson was a cartoonist and illustrator known for his witty humor and sharp observations about everyday life. His comic strip, “Cul de Sac,” follows the life of Alice Otterloop, a quirky preschooler with a wild imagination, and her eccentric family.
The strip captures the small, funny moments of suburban life, often through Alice’s unique perspective. Fans of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” might enjoy the whimsical humor and heartfelt charm found in Thompson’s work.