The Complete Calvin and Hobbes collection was released yesterday. I'm not going to buy it. I would (even though the price is just shy of $100), but I already have all the comic books so buying this new set would merely be an act of reckless spending. But oh how I want it.

OH!

Calvin and Hobbes is the story of a mischievous little boy with spiky hair and his pet tiger. When anyone else is present, Hobbes is merely Calvin's stuffed animal. But when they are alone, Hobbes is real. They go sledding in the park and play in their clubhouse, G.R.O.S.S. (Get Rid Of Slimy girlS). Calvin's unstoppable, limitless imagination takes him to other planets and galaxies as Spaceman Spiff. Sometimes, he pictures himself as a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex wreaking havoc on cities (when in actuality, he is just stomping around on the playground, in a sandbox, looking fiercely carnivorous).

Bill Watterson, the creator of the comic strip captures the innocence of a child in every panel. He makes Hobbes Calvin's superior, his intellectual. Hobbes is always rolling his eyes whenever Calvin says something ridiculous. But contrariwise, he loves to anger Calvin by reading his comic books and getting them smudged and out of order.

The best part of their friendship, the thing I can never get enough of, is when Calvin comes home from school each day. Hobbes cannot deny his tiger instinct. He lies in wait for his pal and pounces on him as soon as Calvin enters the house (sometimes even before). It never gets old. It's akin to Lucy pulling the football out from underneath Charlie Brown's hopeful kick. Classic.

If you're like me and love imagination but can't afford this new and complete set. Here is a full list of links (in chronological order) of the many adventures of Calvin and Hobbes. Although, I must warn you. After you buy one, you'll simply have to get them all.

1. Calvin and Hobbes
2. Something Under the Bed Is Drooling
3. Yukon Ho!
4. Weirdos From Another Planet!
5. The Revenge Of The Baby-Sat
6. Scientific Progress Goes "Boink"
7. Attack Of The Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons

You can also check out these collections:

The Days are Just Packed: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
There's Treasure Everywhere: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
It's A Magical World: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection

But don't tell your teachers I recommended comic books.