William Boyd "Bill" Watterson II is a distinguished American cartoonist, renowned for creating the influential and beloved comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. His impactful career as a syndicated cartoonist spanned from 1985 to 1995, culminating in his decision to retire at the end of 1995. Watterson's retirement was announced through a concise statement to newspaper editors and his admirers, expressing his belief that he had accomplished all he could within the comic strip medium.

Watterson's work is celebrated for its negative views on comic syndication and licensing, and he has been a staunch advocate for expanding and elevating the newspaper comic strip as an art form. His inclination towards privacy became more pronounced after the conclusion of Calvin and Hobbes, leading him to step back into private life. Watterson was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a suburban Midwestern setting that influenced the backdrop of Calvin and Hobbes. As of January 2024, he resides in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, steadfast in his reclusive nature yet still regarded as a pivotal figure in the comic strip industry.