Read the first ever Calvin and Hobbes comic, published 30 years ago today

A 6-year-old and his tiger began exploring the mysteries, profundities, and humors of childhood (and tuna sandwiches) exactly 30 years ago today. Calvin and Hobbes, which once ran in 2,400 newspapers, was first published on November 18, 1985, before it was abruptly pulled by creator Bill Watterson in December 1995. Watterson's decade of work immortalized the rambunctious Calvin and his maybe-not-so-imaginary tiger friend Hobbes as a staples of childhoods (and adulthoods!) everywhere.

"Calvin and Hobbes created a level of attention and expectation that I don't know how to process," Watterson explained in a rare interview with Mental Floss. The cartoonist has famously resisted licensing merchandise and refused to allow his comics to be adapted or animated, turning down both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Which leaves us with the comics, where everything began in the first place. Here's the first Calvin and Hobbes, from this day in 1985:

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

This much remains true after all these years — it's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring!