Everyone's favorite six year old comic star and his stuffed tiger will retire from the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" on December 31. Bill Watterson, the strip's cartoonist, informed newspaper editors of this in early November.

Originated in 1986, "Calvin and Hobbes" caused millions of people to rush to the comic page each morning. It features a smart-mouthed boy, Calvin, and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Imaginary space expeditions, tormenting the neighbor Susie, and philosophizing about life, occupied most of the two adventurists' time.

Watterson said that his reason for retiring the strip was, "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." All of the "Calvin and Hobbes" fans out there should enjoy the strip while they can because after December 31, the strip will be a memory instead of an everyday occurrence.

Stacey Mahony