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The Life of Bill Watterson Trivia Quiz

"Calvin and Hobbes" is one of my favorite comics of all time. Bill Watterson is also one of my favorite artists, and so I made a quiz about him. Good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by thewho13rd. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
thewho13rd

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
242,922

Updated
Apr 30 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
239

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where was Bill Watterson born? Hint

California

Indiana

New York

Washington, D.C.

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Question 2 of 10

2. When Bill Watterson was six, his family moved to a nice quiet town in what state? Hint

Iowa

South Carolina

Texas

Ohio

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1980, Watterson graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He received a degree in what subject? Hint

Political Science

Mathematics

Cartooning

Anthropology

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Question 4 of 10

4. After many rejections of his comic strip, Watterson finally got Universal Press Syndicate to take it. What year was "Calvin and Hobbes" first published? Hint

1985

1987

1983

1989

5. Watterson battled against pressure from publishers to merchandise his work. He rejected the idea of putting "Calvin and Hobbes" on coffee mugs, stickers, and t-shirts. He also refused to accept the proposal that "Calvin and Hobbes" become ______ ? Hint

movie

an animated series

an adult novel

a Disney product

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Question 6 of 10

6. Watterson was awarded the National Cartoonists Society Humor Comic Strip Award in 1988. This was the same year he also won what award? Hint

National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award

National Cartoonist Society's Most Inspiring Comic Strip Award

National Cartoonist Society's Peanuts Award

National Cartoonists Society's Davis Award

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Question 7 of 10

7. Watterson announced his retirement from "Calvin and Hobbes" in a letter to newspaper editors. What year was the final "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip published? Hint

1995

1989

1998

1992

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Question 8 of 10

8. Watterson was vocally critical of a former cartoonist for merchandising his comic strip. Who was he? Hint

Jim Davis

Stan Lee

Charles Schultz

Alvin Schwartz

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Question 9 of 10

9. Watterson is also known for being the first cartoonist to say what word in a comic strip? Hint

Poop

Gooey

Slimy

Booger

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Question 10 of 10

10. Watterson's cat has inspired most of the physical features of Hobbes. His cat also inspired much of Hobbes's personality, too. What is Watterson's cat's name? Hint

Sprite

Ginger

Tom

Whiskers

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was Bill Watterson born?

Answer: Washington, D.C.

Watterson was born on July 5, 1958. He was born in Washington, D.C., where his father (James G. Watterson) worked as a patent examiner while going to law school.

2. When Bill Watterson was six, his family moved to a nice quiet town in what state?

Answer: Ohio

Watterson and his family moved to Chagrin Hills, Ohio when he was only six years old. His mother become a city council member. When Bill's younger brother, Tom, got older, he moved down to Texas where he became a high school teacher.

3. In 1980, Watterson graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He received a degree in what subject?

Answer: Political Science

The Cincinnati Post immediately offered Watterson a job drawing political cartoons with a six-month trial. Bill also designed some grocery advertisements for four years prior his first "Calvin and Hobbes" comic.

4. After many rejections of his comic strip, Watterson finally got Universal Press Syndicate to take it. What year was "Calvin and Hobbes" first published?

Answer: 1985

The exact date was November 18, 1985. Watterson wrote that his influences for "Calvin and Hobbes" came from Chuck Schultz (Peanuts), Walt Kelly (Pogo), and George Herriman (Krazy Kat).

Answer: an animated series

Watterson felt merchandising his work would cheapen the comic. But somehow, there are certain t-shirts with "Calvin and Hobbes" characters on them for sale.

6. Watterson was awarded the National Cartoonists Society Humor Comic Strip Award in 1988. This was the same year he also won what award?

Answer: National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award

He was also rewarded with the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award in 1986, and was also nominated for another one in 1992. After Watterson was nominated three times, the National Cartoonists Society declared that no artist could win the award more than once.

7. Watterson announced his retirement from "Calvin and Hobbes" in a letter to newspaper editors. What year was the final "Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip published?

Answer: 1995

After the final publication of his comic strip, Watterson has taken up painting, often drawing landscapes of the woods with his father, according to wikipedia.org.

8. Watterson was vocally critical of a former cartoonist for merchandising his comic strip. Who was he?

Answer: Jim Davis

He felt that for Davis to license his strip "Garfield" to many different things cheapened the comic.

9. Watterson is also known for being the first cartoonist to say what word in a comic strip?

Answer: Booger

It's funny how that Watterson will be remembered as the first cartoonist to use the word "booger" in a comic. I doubt though he will be remembered just by that.

10. Watterson's cat has inspired most of the physical features of Hobbes. His cat also inspired much of Hobbes's personality, too. What is Watterson's cat's name?

Answer: Sprite

Another animal that has inspired a character was Watterson's wife's dog, Derkins. He used the name of the dog for the last name of supporting character, Susie Derkins.

A lot of people in this world have enjoyed "Calvin and Hobbes", I surely have. It will be remembered as a great comic strip and Bill Watterson will be known as a great cartoonist.

Source: Author thewho13rd

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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