"Possibly the best comic strip EVER in the history of the entire universe", claimed one commentator.
I think Dennis the Menace (in its heydey), Gaston Lagaffe and one or others may occupy the same pantheon as Calvin and Hobbes, but there is little doubt that, for all those of us who have been deeply touched by the warmth, humour, sheer humanity with which Bill Watterson blessed us over so many years, these creations occupy a very special place in our hearts.
Indeed, as an avid Desert Island Discs fan, I've sometimes wondered whether I might even give the nod to the Essential Calvin and Hobbes over worthy, albeit well-loved book choices, such as The Brothers Karamazov or Ulverton.
In late 2013, BigThink examined the legacy of Calvin & Hobbes, concluding "if you don’t like Calvin and Hobbes, you probably haven’t read it. Or maybe you don’t have a soul".