Calvin & Hobbes
Compelling stories tend to have all three character types -
mind, body, and spirit. This holds true in series, as well. In this
post, I will take a look at how mind, body, and spirit characters are
effectively used in the comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes.
The first thing about series is that all three character types may not show up in every edition or episode. Many of the strips created by Bill Watterson only featured the young boy, Calvin, and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. You have to take a grander view if you want to see the various character types. One or two episodes may not be enough to develop the characters and their relationships enough to create the kind of mind-body-spirit interactions that will make the series compelling.
Another aspect of series development is the use of 'recurring characters.' In Calvin and Hobbes, for example, Calvin's parents play the primary mind character role, but when Calvin is not at home, Susie takes over as the mind character. These kinds of substitutions are difficult in novels or in film because there is comparatively very little time to develop a 'substitute' for any of the character types. It's possible, but very difficult. In a series, though, you do have that flexibility.
Calvin is a dreamer. He is Spaceman Spiff; he is a giant shark in the bathtub; he fights (and fears) monsters in the closet and under the bed. He engages in messy warfare against the food that comes to life on his plate. Calvin also ponders the great questions of life. Many times these question come from Hobbes, but Calvin is usually the one doing the pondering.
Education means very little to Calvin compared to life experience. He's not a great (or even a very good) student, but he knows more about riding a wagon down a steep hill than anyone else in his neighborhood.
Hobbes takes often takes the blame for Calvin's antics, but mostly because of what he gets in return, especially when it comes to food. Hobbes loves to eat. Hobbes also loves to play. He is an instigator, often getting Calvin to try something new that Hobbes thought would be fun - and dangerous.
Hobbes also has a completely different relationship with Susie than Calvin has. Susie thinks Hobbes is 'adorable,' so Hobbes lets her hug him and is nice to her when Calvin is trying to be his usual mean self. Hobbes also often interferes with Calvin's plans to attack Susie.
Finally, Hobbes is always getting the better of Calvin in snowball fights and other physical activity.
Calvin's parents are the obvious mind characters. They try to logically explain things, or more often, bemoan how illogical Calvin's action are. They try to give good advice ('A penny saved is a penny earned,' 'Early to bed, early to rise,...') but Calvin always ends up twisting it.
Susie is a bit different. She is a good elementary student, concerned at times with how things will affect her Master's Degree. She is also sly and often tricks Calvin into situation that get him in trouble. In one strip, she passed a note to another student, but Calvin gave it to the teacher to get her in trouble. The teacher read the note aloud to the class, and it simply said that Calvin was a 'squealer.'
Susie has the upper hand in scheming, Hobbes has the upper hand in brute force, and Calvin has the upper hand in daring. Mind, Body, Spirit.
The first thing about series is that all three character types may not show up in every edition or episode. Many of the strips created by Bill Watterson only featured the young boy, Calvin, and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. You have to take a grander view if you want to see the various character types. One or two episodes may not be enough to develop the characters and their relationships enough to create the kind of mind-body-spirit interactions that will make the series compelling.
Another aspect of series development is the use of 'recurring characters.' In Calvin and Hobbes, for example, Calvin's parents play the primary mind character role, but when Calvin is not at home, Susie takes over as the mind character. These kinds of substitutions are difficult in novels or in film because there is comparatively very little time to develop a 'substitute' for any of the character types. It's possible, but very difficult. In a series, though, you do have that flexibility.
The Spirit Character: Calvin
Calvin is a dreamer. He is Spaceman Spiff; he is a giant shark in the bathtub; he fights (and fears) monsters in the closet and under the bed. He engages in messy warfare against the food that comes to life on his plate. Calvin also ponders the great questions of life. Many times these question come from Hobbes, but Calvin is usually the one doing the pondering.
Education means very little to Calvin compared to life experience. He's not a great (or even a very good) student, but he knows more about riding a wagon down a steep hill than anyone else in his neighborhood.
The Body Character: Hobbes
Hobbes takes often takes the blame for Calvin's antics, but mostly because of what he gets in return, especially when it comes to food. Hobbes loves to eat. Hobbes also loves to play. He is an instigator, often getting Calvin to try something new that Hobbes thought would be fun - and dangerous.
Hobbes also has a completely different relationship with Susie than Calvin has. Susie thinks Hobbes is 'adorable,' so Hobbes lets her hug him and is nice to her when Calvin is trying to be his usual mean self. Hobbes also often interferes with Calvin's plans to attack Susie.
Finally, Hobbes is always getting the better of Calvin in snowball fights and other physical activity.
The Mind Characters: Calvin's Parents and Susie
Calvin's parents are the obvious mind characters. They try to logically explain things, or more often, bemoan how illogical Calvin's action are. They try to give good advice ('A penny saved is a penny earned,' 'Early to bed, early to rise,...') but Calvin always ends up twisting it.
Susie is a bit different. She is a good elementary student, concerned at times with how things will affect her Master's Degree. She is also sly and often tricks Calvin into situation that get him in trouble. In one strip, she passed a note to another student, but Calvin gave it to the teacher to get her in trouble. The teacher read the note aloud to the class, and it simply said that Calvin was a 'squealer.'
Susie has the upper hand in scheming, Hobbes has the upper hand in brute force, and Calvin has the upper hand in daring. Mind, Body, Spirit.
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