Calvin's father, like many other characters in the strip, is a relatively down-to-earth and sensible character whose attitudes serve primarily as a foil for Calvin's outlandish behavior. Both parents go through the entire strip unnamed, except as "Mom" and "Dad," or such pet names as "hon" and "dear." He first appeared in the first strip, though he was the only parent shown until a few days later, when Calvin's mother was introduced. The appearance of Calvin's father is actually an illustration of Bill Watterson himself back when he was drawing the strip.