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Meet Bill Watterson

Bill Watterson's comic strip, "Calvin and Hobbes," is the engaging chronicle of a six-year-old's psyche. The strip, first syndicated in 1985, was carried in more than 2,400 newspapers when it ceased publication January 1, 1996.

"Calvin and Hobbes" clearly has gained worldwide appeal: More than 23 million "Calvin and Hobbes" books are in print, and each of the 14 book collections has been a million-seller within the first year of publication. The most recent collection, "The Complete Calvin and Hobbes," was published in the fall of 2005 by Andrews McMeel and became the most expensive book to make the New York Times best-seller list.

In 1986, Bill became the youngest person to win the prestigious Reuben Award for "Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year" from the National Cartoonists Society. He won the award again in 1988, and also was nominated for the honor in 1992.

In a letter to newspaper editors announcing his retirement, Watterson stated: "This is not a recent or easy decision, and I leave with some sadness. My interests have shifted, however, and I believe I've done what I can do within the constraints of daily deadlines and small panels. I am eager to work at a more thoughtful pace, with fewer artistic compromises. I have not yet decided on future projects, but my relationship with Universal Press Syndicate will continue."