Although they were never given real names, their parents Calvin and Hobbes were an important part of the comic’s success. Calvin’s parents were not just a hindrance to the main character. as many sources of philosophical musings and comedic foibles as their son.
While Calvin personified childhood and its ups and downs, his parents also represented what it means to be an adult. In these top 10 comics below, they admit that they don’t know what they’re doing, become depressed about their accomplishments in life, and argue about what lessons they should teach Calvin. They also feel love and joy that he is present in their lives, which has made them happy. the relationship seems so real comic book fans.
10
Calvin Altruist
June 9, 1992
Calvin proudly declares that he is doing a good deed: saving all your snot for a transfusion at the hospital. His mother’s reaction is perfectly depicted here: she makes two different disgusted faces as she informs him that no one needs this. In a lesser comic, this would be the punchline, but creator Bill Watterson waits for one more blow to hit the real target: Calvin admits that he has a jug that needs washing to his mother.
One of the important parts of Calvin’s personality is that he is rebellious and irritable, but his heart is in the right place. This comic puts it perfectly: He thinks he’s helping poor kids who don’t have enough boogers. However, in practice, he created an incredibly disgusting jar, which his mother now has to clean up (or maybe just throw away).
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9
Calvin expresses his needs
November 15, 1995
On the surface, parenting may seem simple: feed and clothe children, teach them right and wrong, keep them alive until adulthood. In fact, there’s a lot more nuance and deal-making involved as Calvin deftly works his way to getting the last piece of the pie. When his mother reproaches him for his selfishness, he asks whether it is better to be dishonest than selfish. She gives up the point and the pie to her son.
Children learn a lot from the people around them, and although Calvin doesn’t do well in school, he quickly picks up arguments and wit from both of his parents. The wordless expression on Calvin’s mother’s face shows she somewhat admires his arguments, even if she doesn’t like the things he picked up. She would prefer that he was neither selfish nor dishonest, but knew that he would choose her battles.
[Calvin’s mom’s] her own mother told her that she hoped she would have a child who would give her the same troubles, suggesting that she was as bad as Calvin as a child.
8
A Calvin and Hobbes Christmas Special
December 25, 1992
For many parents, this Christmas morning scene is very familiar: an excited child wakes everyone up too early to see what gifts are waiting for them under the tree. Calvin, an overly active and creative child the other 364 days, is no different. This film depicts the dichotomy of being dragged out of bed early while being content with the whims of family and children. Calvin is excited, his dad grumbles that the sun isn’t up yet, and Calvin’s mom smiles and asks him to take a photo.
Christmas affects Calvin’s family’s lives in the comic after December 25th. He makes a huge wish list, worries that Santa will see him playing a prank on Susie Derkins, and reminds his parents to get gifts from Hobbs as well. And again magic Calvin and Hobbes how well it reflects real life.
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7
Calvin’s Mom’s Achievements
November 8, 1993
One of the reasons Bill Watterson never named Calvin’s parents is because he didn’t want to focus on them beyond their role in Calvin’s life. Thus, We don’t know much about Calvin’s mom. except she’s a housewife who quit her stressful job when she had Calvin. She’s generally happy with her life—until Calvin throws her into a midlife crisis with one sentence.
Calvin’s mother was in college (which is where she met Calvin’s father), and her own mother often told her that she hoped she would have a child who would give her the same troubles: suggesting that she was as bad as Calvin as a child. She may have had her own astronaut Spiff that she dreamed of becoming and didn’t realize what she was missing until today.
It’s a reflection of what almost all adults understand: growing up doesn’t give you any answers, and the adults you looked up to were mostly flying by the seat of their pants.
6
Calvin’s contract negotiations
August 4, 1992
Calvin’s father is known for coming up with wild explanations for everyday technology. (one of which will appear later in this list) and here he uses a similar strategy to get Calvin to go to bed. When Calvin states that he doesn’t have to do what his parents tell him, his father tells him that nothing can be done: it’s in his contract. Surprisingly, the thought that there is a formal contract regulating his bedtime is enough to put Calvin in his pajamas.
The unseen consequence of this is that eventually Calvin will realize that his father made the contract, hopefully long before he turns 18 (the renegotiation time suggested by his father). Given that Calvin sometimes approaches his father about his father’s “poll numbers”, he has already taken his strategy to heart formulating internal family problems as formal procedures.
5
Calvin’s parents don’t understand everything yet
May 10, 1989
This comic appeared during the home break-in storyline while Calvin’s family was on vacation. Although no one was hurt, Calvin’s parents have trouble sleeping that night, thinking about the stranger in their house and what might have happened if they had been there during the break-in. They reflect on their childhood belief that adults had everything figured out and never worried about anything.
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This is a reflection of what almost all adults understand: growing up does not provide any answers, and the adults you looked up to were mostly flying by the seat of their pants. Adults have power over children, and hopefully they use that power responsibly, but they make things up along the way.
Bill Watterson’s masterpiece remains timeless because the emotions he portrayed feel real.
4
Calvin Economist
December 15, 1992
Even though he is only 6 years old, Calvin sometimes delivers monologues as if he is much older. In this December comic, he shares his Christmas wish list with his dad, as well as some talking points about how consumer spending can best stimulate the economy; Shopping and gift-giving are not just enjoyable traditions, they are a patriotic American duty. Fortunately, Calvin’s father immediately understands where his son got all this dirty language from.
Calvin and HobbesCalvin’s Christmas excitement aside, it was a fairly anti-capitalist series, echoing the sentiments of its creator Bill Watterson. Calvin’s family has a television, but they rarely watch it, often spending evenings reading together on the couch. It makes sense that even though Calvin is not a good student, he will be able to understand and repeat the financial newspaper, Wall Street Journal.
3
Calvin’s father, expert
November 26, 1992
One of the best jokes in Calvin and Hobbes was that Calvin’s father made up elaborate stories to explain things to his son. There’s even a two-for-one in this comic, as Calvin references another of his father’s inventions to compare it to his explanation of how ATMs work. The charm of these comics is a joy that parents know. being able to lie to your children in small, harmless ways, as a form of pleasure.
ATMs only became popular in the US in the 1970s, which means Calvin’s parents remembered their introduction. This story could be what Calvin’s father thought when he saw his parents using one, or what his own father had jokingly told him. Either way, it’s clear that Calvin inherited his wild imagination from his parents, especially when it comes to how the world works.
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2
Calvin gets sick
October 10-15, 1988
Calvin has creative ways to wake up his parents, using musical instruments or asking them philosophical questions in the middle of the night. However, this storyline showed that he really needs his parents after contracting the flu. Most parents can sympathize with the refusal of a child who wants comfort from only one of them, or the nagging when a child interrupts their sleep. Calvin’s mom does just that, muttering that Calvin “It’s better to be very sick” before hearing him vomit. The guilt is immediate.
Calvin had pretended to be sick before, and this was another thing that most parents had seen in action. When his mom reminds him that it’s Saturday so he doesn’t miss school, Calvin half-heartedly agrees. Her run to the phone expresses her concern without needing words: if Calvin doesn’t resist, he must be really sick.
1
Calvin’s dad is having a snow day
January 14, 1990
There isn’t a single word in this popular Calvin and Hobbes comic about raising children, because it doesn’t need one. Calvin is looking forward to playing in the snow with his father, who shoos him away because there are bills to pay and paperwork to complete. Calvin’s father almost instantly regrets his decision and realizes that What is important in general is time spent with family.
This comic even ends with the whole family smiling as Calvin, ready for bed, kisses his dad goodnight. Bill Watterson’s masterpiece remains timeless because the emotions he portrayed feel real. A lesser artist would have made the same idea trivial or manipulative. However, given all the antics that Calvin and Hobbes Stand up, he knew it was also important to show true love, both to and from Calvin’s parents.