After graduation, Watterson joined another local newspaper, The Cincinnati Post, to also become a political cartoonist. During his college years he was influenced by Jim Borgman, a still young and unknown editorial cartoonist in the Cincinnati Enquirer. On the ceiling of his dorm chamber Watterson recreated Michelangelo's ceiling painting 'The Creation of Adam'. One of his comics made for his German-language class was a predecessor to 'Spaceman Spliff', the imagination spot of Calvin in his later comic 'Calvin and Hobbes'.

He created cartoons on student life for his college newspaper. Between 19 Watterson studied political science at Kenyon College, though didn't neglect his ambitions to become a cartoonist. Watterson also liked Paul Coker and Richard Thompson and expressed admiration for animated cartoons, particularly the work of Tex Avery and Chuck Jones, which excelled in distortion and exaggeration, something he tried to mimick in his own dynamic artwork.

These four men proved that newspaper comics could allow amazing artwork, imaginative stories and/or philosophical depth. Among his graphic influences were Winsor McCay, George Herriman, Walt Kelly and Charles M. As a child he already drew comics for his high school newspaper. In 1965 the family moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a rural neighbourhood which inspired much of the 'Calvin and Hobbes' environment.

William Boy 'Bill' Watterson was born in 1958 in Washington D.C. His principles have kept 'Calvin & Hobbes' undefiled and won him respect from fans, critics and colleagues alike. He took the rare and unusual decision to refuse any merchandising spin-offs and to retire at his creative peak. Watterson remains a shining example of a cartoonist maintaining quality control over his work. Many readers have therefore a strong emotional connection to 'Calvin & Hobbes', which has often been called 'the last great newspaper comic'. The series didn't shy away from addressing real life issues, such as children's misbehaviour, loneliness, fear, bullying, crime, the environment and death. Sometimes Watterson moved beyond the punchline to just move his readers altogether. His characters address funny and meaningful observations about life. His rich illustrations and narratives show ambition and variety. Watterson revived the artistic merits of classic comics in an era when most newspapers tried to shrink or cut them to size. It has been praised for its superb artwork, nostalgic childhood atmosphere, thought-provoking life lessons and overall warmth and hilarity. Despite being Watterson's only series and running for less than a decade, 'Calvin & Hobbes' has remained popular. Bill Watterson is an American comic artist, famous for the newspaper comic 'Calvin and Hobbes' (1985-1995), about a hyperactive young boy who dwells into fantasies with his seemingly sentient tiger toy.

Calvin and hobbes by bill watterson