Bill Watterson is the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, an engaging chronicle of a six-year-old's psyche, which appeared in more than 2,400 newspapers when it ceased publication January 1, 1996.

Since it was first syndicated in 1985, Calvin and Hobbes 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 Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book, was published in the fall of 1995 by Andrews and McMeel and was a New York Times #1 Best-seller. It remained on best-seller lists across the country for weeks after publication.

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."

Watterson is, like his creation, a famous grouch. He never gives interviews, never lets his photo be taken, and has now canned Calvin because he feels "constrained" by the medium.