Published Nov 7, 2026, 4:00 AM EST

The Lyman of Calvin and Hobbes, if you will

Revisiting Uncle Max, the lost character of Calvin and Hobbes

Yukon Ho!  (1989)"" data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-img-caption=""Source: Bill Watterson\/Andrews & McMeel"" data-is-feature-img="true"> Bill Watterson's cover art for Yukon Ho! (1989) Source: Bill Watterson/Andrews & McMeel

The author Lois McMaster Bujold has said that “the writer should always reserve the right to come up with a better idea.” That's a useful guideline for any reader to keep in mind. As any long-form story evolves, it usually picks up a few dead plot branches or abandoned characters , because the author can exercise their option to drop what they're doing for any (or no) reason.…