The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes

80:37

Episode 35: Licensing

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/10/01

Have you ever wondered why there are no legal Hobbes plush toys, or Calvin and Hobbes greeting cards? Or why there was never a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon show? It all comes down to Bill Watterson's views on licensing. This episode we discuss those views, how they almost cost us all several years worth of Calvin and Hobbes, and Bill Watterson's artistic integrity.Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would

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80:52

Episode 34: The Duplicator

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/09/22

This episode is about the duplicator! This episode is about the duplicator! Over the course of the strip, Calvin created several cardboard box inventions, including the transmogrifier, the Time Machine, and the atomic cerebral enhance-o-tron. In this episode we discuss the duplicator, which appears in two awesome stories! We also talk about other uses for the cardboard box, and cases where duplicates were made without the cardboard box. Come along for some fun! Here is a list of the comics

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84:11

Episode 33: Autumn, Polls, and Politics

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/09/12

We've discussed winter, spring, and summer... now it's time to finish it out with Autumn. Jumping in leaves, getting eaten by leaves, burning leaves. And if that's not enough, we also discuss everyone's favorite topic, politics! But don't worry, we only deal with Dad's polls. Come check it out!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you

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96:40

Episode 32: Pop Culture and Calvin and Hobbes

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/09/03

Somewhat ironically, Calvin and Hobbes have become cultural icons despite Bill Watterson's notorious reclusivity. It made references to popular culture, and has been mentioned in many forms of media. In this episode, we talk about those references.Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our Facebook page here!

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99:00

Episode 31: Calvin in School

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/08/25

Much to his chagrin, Calvin spends a lot of time at school, or doing school assignments. In this episode we discuss a sampling of Calvin's school experience. Enjoy!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our Facebook page here!

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97:20

Episode 30: G.R.O.S.S.

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/08/15

Attention! All rise! This meeting of GROSS is now called to order by your favorite podcast hosts! This episode we talk all about the Get Rid Of Slimy girlS club, the best club in the cosmos. We talk about how you can tell it's a great club, their many exploits, and much more. Come along for the fun!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And

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66:42

Episode 29: The Prehistory of Calvin and Hobbes (with...

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/08/05

Hard as it is to believe, there was once a world with no Calvin and Hobbes. In this episode we join Matt and McKinley Breen from the podcast History Dispatches to discuss the prehistory of the strip, from Bill Watterson's birth to the point that Calvin and Hobbes was picked up by Universal Press Syndicate. Come join us to learn how we got our beloved comic strip! Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would

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92:43

Episode 28: Hamsters and Salamanders and Noodles, Oh My!

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/07/27

Bill Watterson loved to let his readers fill in the blanks. Most notably, he called out some cases in the strip involving hamsters and salamanders and noodles, oh my! See what these things have in common on The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes, next!.Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our Facebook page here!

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64:10

Episode 27: Tracer Bullet

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/07/18

He's a private eye. It says so on his door. In this episode we talk all about Calvin's hard-boiled detective alter ego, Tracer Bullet.Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our Facebook page here!

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88:00

Episode 26: Comic Books (Captain Napalm and Co)

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/07/09

Calvin loves comic books! Strangely, Bill Watterson does not. In this episode we discuss the comics that Calvin loves, Bill Watterson's grievances with them, and which of the two we agree with. Come join us to learn all about Captain Napalm and his thermonuclear league of liberty! Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our

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71:38

Episode 25: BARRRFF! Calvin Gets Down With the Sickness

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/06/30

Everyone pukes. It's part of being a person. In this episode, we take a look at the surprisingly many stories and strips in Calvin and Hobbes involving someone being sick. We also look at Calvin's relationship with his doctor, which is probably best described as "adversarial." Come join us as Calvin gets down with the sickness! Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email

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84:29

Episode 24: Camping and Stuff

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/06/20

This episode is all about camping... and stuff... We start by talking about other family outings (the stuff) like trips to the museum, zoo, or beach, and we end with the camping. Everyone in Calvin's family loves camping, except for Mom and Calvin. And Hobbes. But other than that... Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our

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87:18

Episode 23: Summer (and Spring) in Calvin and Hobbes

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/06/11

Calvin loves summer! Everyone loves summer! Join us this episode as we discuss long days spent doing everything, from wagon rides to water fights, or even nothing. Maybe even especially nothing!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our Facebook page here!

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95:09

Episode 22: Dinosaurs! (Featuring I Know Dino and The...

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/06/01

Happy Dinosaur Day! Calvin loves dinosaurs, and so do we! In this episode we are joined by Garret and Sabrina of I Know Dino and Will and David of The Common Descent Podcast. We spend most of the episode nerding out over dinosaurs and the dinosaur art in Calvin and Hobbes. It was such a fun conversation, and we hope you will enjoy it!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can

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73:47

Episode 21: The Time Machine

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/05/23

Time flies! Especially if you have a cardboard box! In this episode, we discuss the second of Calvin's cardboard box inventions, the Time Machine. We visit the Jurassic period twice, and the future once (or maybe a couple times, if the wagon trips count).Apologies for the slightly weird audio on this one- there were some recording issues, but it still works. Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love

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90:03

Episode 20: Calvinball (and Lesser Sports)

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/05/14

We've reached the halfway point of our podcast, and to celebrate, we're discussing Calvin's favorite game. No sport is less organized than Calvinball! That's what makes it better by far! In this episode, we start by exploring the lesser sports, which are all such a bore, seeking to get to Calvinball. Come along and play with us!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email

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82:19

Episode 19: Calvin the Philosophizer

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/05/05

In this episode, Calvin asks the big questions: What's the point of human existence? Whence do we come? What are we? Where are we going? (He came from his room, he's a kid with big plans, and he's going outside)There's a surprising amount of philosophy in Calvin and Hobbes, and Bill Watterson manages to make it both poignant and entertaining. Come join us as we discuss the philosophical musings of our favorite 6-year-old! Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their

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90:03

Episode 18: Calvin the Bard (Songs and Poems)

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/04/25

From the GROSS clubhouse password to musings on a sleeping Hobbes, from verses on T. rex eating folks to A Nauseous Nocturne, Calvin and Hobbes is full of poems! Some of them are even clearly songs. Join us as we talk about poems in Calvin and Hobbes, and give you our renditions of the musical ones!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And

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85:47

Episode 17: Stupendous Man

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/04/16

Who is that masked man? And why has he never been photographed with handsome 6-year-old millionaire playboy Calvin? In this episode we discuss the masked man of might, Stupendous Man! Come join us to learn about his muscles of magnitude, the villains he faces, and the hazards of zippers for superhero costumes.Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at

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91:04

Episode 16: Calvin's Mom

The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes ·

2026/04/07

A few episodes ago we talked about Calvin's dad. An equally important topic is Calvin's relationship with his mom. In this episode we discuss who she is, what we know about her backstory, and why, despite all the aggravation Calvin causes her, she's a good mom. Come join us!Here is a list of the comics mentioned this episode, along with their publication dates and the books where they can be found. We would love to hear from you! You can email us at MagicCandH@proton.me And you can join our

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