Calvin and Hobbes Redesign

STORY

Every day on Calvin’s way home from school, he would pass by the temple, where Hobbes stood guard. After seeing Calvin have to walk home alone weeks on end, Hobbes eventually took it on themself to protect Calvin on his trek home. Thus began the adventures of Calvin and Hobbes.

INSPIRATION

The story takes place in Taiwan, a place where I go almost every other year to visit family. The first idea I had was to redesign Hobbes, a tiger doll, into a Foo Dog, or a Chinese Guardian Lion, both being inanimate objects and ‘protectors.’ Then thinking about childhood photos my father would show me of him as a schoolboy, I made Calvin a Taiwanese schoolboy.

霍布斯 (Hobbes)Foo Dogs traditionally come in pairs, the male holding a ball and the female holding the cub. I wanted the ball to be a prop for Hobbes’ character, however, I also felt it was fitting that Calvin could be Hobbes’ ‘cub.’ I decided that Hobbes would be non-binary and take on both roles. The moss on Hobbes’ back is from the humid climate of Taiwan. The scar on Hobbes’ paw is from an altercation when someone tried to take Hobbes’ ball.

卡尔文 (Calvin)Calvin is a 6 year old schoolboy. In Taiwan schoolboys are required to wear school uniforms and buzz their hair. Calvin’s eyebrows were burt in an accident; he is quite the pyromaniac. Calvin’s backpack is a Formosan Black Bear native to Taiwan.