Many years ago my wife bought me "The complete Far Side" for Christmas. Every day for a hour or so I sat in the living room reading every comic and was giggling and laughing to no end. The next year so bought me "The complete Calvin and Hobbes." I have to say those were the best Christmas presents I have ever received.
The OP didn't really phase me. Too long and cheesy.
Been a C&H fan since I was a kid. Somehow all of my books survived 20+ years, and it's awesome to be able to read them to my boys. It wasn't until then that I realized what's truly incredible about C&H, as a kid they are entertaining but when you read them as an adult you appreciate all the deeper meaning and life lessons Watterson put into it. I'd suggest anyone who hasn't read them in a long time do so again.
I really like this strip too, a guy animated it in the C&H style based on a touching speech Watterson gave.