I have tons of respect for Bill Watterson on how he went about Calvin and Hobbes. He could have put all kinds of Calvin and Hobbes merchandise out, but didn't. He didn't let anyone else do so either. He wanted to do things his way and keep his privacy. Could you imagine someone trying to make a live action movie or even a cartoon of Calvin and Hobbes? *shudder*
Pastis could die happy right now most likely. He got to work with arguably the best in the business.