37 Years Later, One Calvin And Hobbes Comic About Love Still Has No Equal

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This strip is one of Bill Watterson’s full-color Sunday spreads and begins with Calvin struggling to fall asleep. As he lies in bed, he finds himself frightened by the darkness of the night. At the height of his fear, however, Calvin looks over and sees Hobbes sleeping peacefully beside him. The sight of his best friend immediately comforts him, shifting his attention from his fears to the affection he feels for his beloved tiger.

While the strip features a “3-14” date marking, the comics archive GoComics.com lists its original publication date as April 23, 1989.

After petting Hobbes and settling back into bed, Calvin delivers the now-iconic line: “Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend,” before drifting off to sleep. Simple on the surface, the quote conveys a profound truth about love: having someone who cares about you can make even life’s most frightening and difficult moments a little easier to face.

At its heart, this quote is about partnership and companionship, regardless of the form they take. Yes, Calvin specifically refers to a “best friend,” but that description can apply to virtually anyone, whether it’s a bond formed through family or one built by choice. That’s what makes this quote so universal when it comes to love. It speaks to anyone who has someone whose presence alone makes them feel safer, more secure, and less alone in the world.

The quote also subtly answers the question of what love really is. In this case, love is the person who shows up and stays by your side. It’s not necessarily about grand gestures, extravagant gifts, or even having someone who can fix all your problems. Rather, love is having someone willing to weather life’s storms alongside you. That companionship and support can fundamentally change how we experience the challenges life throws our way.

In short, love changes how we experience the world. When we’re alone, fear, uncertainty, and hardship can feel overwhelming. However, when we have someone we love by our side, those same experiences can feel far less intimidating. In that sense, we’re strengthened by the mere presence of someone who cares about us.

This is truly one of Bill Watterson’s greatest strips, capturing one of the strongest heartbeats at the core of Calvin and Hobbes: the love between a six-year-old boy and his best friend. This companionship is at the very heart of what made the strip so special and has kept it alive in fans’ hearts, even after all these years. If you think there’s a Calvin and Hobbes strip that delivers an even better quote about love, let us know in the comments!