Calvin
Calvin, named after the 16th century theologian John Calvin, is a six-year-old that has a wild imagination. He’s got a strict babysitter, many imaginary alter egos, and most notably of all, a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. He has a vocabulary equivalent of an adult.
“That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!”
”Nobody asks me how things oughta be! I’ve got tons of ideas!”
”Now, a lifetime of experience has left me bitter and cynical.”
Hobbes
Hobbes, named after the 17th Century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, is a real tiger to Calvin and a stuffed tiger to everyone else. Despite being an apex predator, Hobbes is afraid of some activities that Calvin is not, such as riding off a cliff on a wagon. He is often the reason why Calvin gets in trouble (in Calvin’s eyes), and Calvin has no way to explain it but “Hobbes did it!” Calvin usually tells the truth, although there are several exceptions.
Here are sides of Hobbes: pounces on Calvin when he comes home from school, likes girls, wants quality good night kisses, thinks Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs are too sweet, enjoys eating tuna and salmon
Quotes
“What fun is it being cool if you can’t wear a sombrero?” (Something Under the Bed is Drooling on page 24, The Essential Calvin and Hobbeson page 154)
“There’s more to this world than just people, you know.” (Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat on page 105, The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book on page 176)
“Van Gogh would’ve sold more than one painting if he’d put tigers in them.”
“I don’t know which is worse…that everyone has his price, or that the price is always so low.” (The Days are Just Packed on page 56)
“Tigers add panache and savoir faire to any social occasion.” (Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat on page 48)
“I thought fun was supposed to be fun.” (The Days are Just Packed on page 72, The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book on page 174)
“We’re here to devour one else.” (The Days are Just Packed on page 31)
“If you don’t get a good night kiss, you get Kafka dreams.”
Susie Derkins
Susie is Calvin’s neighbor and classmate. She just wants to be Calvin’s friend, but Calvin is too annoying. She has a stuffed bunny named Mr. Bun, and they usually have tea parties together. Mr. Bun does not appear to come real to Susie like Hobbes does to Calvin, but in The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book, when Watterson was talking about Susie, he thought it would be interesting to see the comic strip from Susie’s point of view, and if it did, it would be possible that Mr. Bun did come real in Susie’s imagination. Unlike Calvin, Susie gets impressive grades in school. Susie is always vulnerable to Calvin’s club G.R.O.S.S. (Get Rid Of Slimy Girls). Well actually, Susie is a smart girl that can foil Calvin’s plans any day. Susie is based on the type of girl that Watterson likes, and to whom was eventuallymarried, he says in The Calvin and Hobbes Anniversary Book.
Quotes
“Talking with you is sort of the conversational equivalent of an out of body experience.”
“Uh oh… here comes Calvin – the Incurable Weirdness poster child.”
“Our class voted Calvin the “Most Likely To Be Seen On The News Some Day”.”
“Nice underpants. Does your mom know you’re over here like this?”
Mom and Dad
Calvin’s mom is an ordinary mom, mostly seen as “Calvin’s Mom” and not herself. Although Calvin angers her, she still loves him very much. But Calvin’s dad is a little different. Dad says Calvin’s misery “builds character” when listening to him gripe during his suffering (notably family camping trips). He also never tells Calvin true information about scientific theories and parenting. Read examples here. He works as a patent attorney at the office, and enjoys that since he can’t relax at home. His hobby is riding his bike, though he always either gets injured or made fun of. Mom and Dad are never given names, although they do call each other “Dear” and “Honey”.
Quotes
Calvin’s Mom
[on phone] “What do you mean Calvin left his clothes with Susie??”
“Either he’s playing classical music at 78 RPM, or I’m still dreaming.”
“How can kids know so much and still be so dumb?”
Calvin’s Dad
“Being a parent is wanting to hug and strangle your kid at the same time.”
“I’m going to the office and get some sleep.”
“The world didn’t turn color until sometime in the 1930s, and it was pretty grainy color for a while, too.”
“Maybe then I can finish my book.”
“Calvin, be quiet and eat the stupid lima beans.”
“I have all these great genes, But they’re recessive. That’s the problem here.”
“It’s going to be a grim day when the world is run by a generation that doesn’t mean anything but what it’s seen on TV.”
Moe
Moe is Calvin’s class bully. Continually beating up Calvin, he is a big, dumb year-old who shaves. He often extorts money and calls Calvin “Twinky”. He is the only regular character who speaks in lower-case letters. Moe is based on Watterson’s childhood bullies, which he thought spawn on damp locker room floors.
Quotes
“It’s for the ‘let Calvin live through recess fund.’”
“Hey Twinky! Wanna see if there’s an afterlife?”
Rosalyn
Rosalyn is Calvin’s babysitter almost only because she has to pay for college. The reason Calvin fears her is because he is sent to bed obscenely early. Calvin’s parents also fear her because of the high pay she demands becasuse of Calvin being a terror (but they can’t find another babysitter). Rosalyn was originally going to be a nameless, one-time character, but Watterson said he liked having a character that would intimidate Calvin in Calvin and Hobbes Sunday Pages 1985-1995.
Miss Wormwood
Miss Wormwood is Calvin’s teacher. She obviously has a tough job with Calvin in it. She continually has to give Calvin failing scores. And when Calvin gets in trouble, she sends him to Principal Spittle. Miss Wormwood is named after the apprentice devil in C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.
Other Characters
Uncle Max – The brother of Calvin’s dad was only in 11 strips. Watterson planned to have him in more, but realized some flaws and never brought him back.
