Hobbes

Hobbes
Biographical information
Status	Deceased
Species	Goblin (Fable)
Gender	Male
Occupation	Butler
Appearance
First Issue	Fables #2 — "Chapter Two: The (Un)Usual Suspects"
Last Issue	Fairest #27 — "Mister Fox Goes to Town: Chapter One of The Clamour for Glamour" (flashback) The Unwritten #53 — "The Unwritten Fables, Part 4" (alternative universe)

Hobbes is a Fable who lives in Fabletown in New York City, and first appears in Fables #2 — "Chapter Two: The (Un)Usual Suspects." He is a goblin butler who worked first for Bluebeard, then Prince Charming after the latter killed Hobbes' former employer.

History

Butler to Bluebeard

Hobbes works as a butler for Bluebeard, who fit his entire castle from the Homelands inside a small apartment in the Woodland, as he escaped the Homelands with his fortune intact and was therefore able to purchase a magical enchantment. When Snow White and Bigby Wolf arrive at Bluebeard's castle to question him about the missing Rose Red, Hobbes greets them at the door and allows them entry.

Shortly afterward, Hobbes hands Bluebeard a tray of food and wishes him luck as his master heads off to question Jack Horner about Rose Red's disappearance. Bluebeard pretends that he is bringing Jack dinner, using it as an opportunity to interrogate him instead.

Later, as the operation to deal with Tommy Sharp progresses, Hobbes passes on a message to Jack and Bluebeard that Bigby is ready to go.

After the operation, Bluebeard relaxes in the bath, venting his frustrations about Bigby. Hobbes dutifully scrubs Bluebeard's body with a brush and inquires about his plans. Bluebeard declares that he intends to get rid of Bigby once and for all.

Bluebeard's Schemes

Goldilocks, a wanted murderer, takes refuge at Bluebeard's castle, where Hobbes is glamouring himself as a human each time he sees her. Despite Goldilocks assuring Bluebeard that she is not prejudiced and there's no need for the goblin to hide his true form, Hobbes continues to use his human glamour in her presence. During Hobbes' visits to Goldilocks' room, she often makes advances towards him. This makes Hobbes uneasy, and he confides in Bluebeard about it. Bluebeard then speaks to Goldilocks, informing her that Hobbes is not interested in human women and politely asks her to stop pursuing him.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Wilfred, a tiny Lilliputian, carefully sneaks into the imposing castle of Bluebeard, riding atop his loyal companion, a Fable mouse named Rex. Together, they witness Bluebeard engaging in conversation with Goldilocks. The duo quickly scampers off to report the news, but Goldilocks and Bluebeard catch sight of them. Hobbes hurls a knife in their direction, impaling Rex and causing instant death, though Seargent Wilfred manages to get away. Hobbes presents the lifeless body to Bluebeard. After examining it, Bluebeard determines that the intruders were likely part of the Mounted Police. Hobbes inquires about their next steps. Bluebeard has a strategy in mind for handling the situation, and Hobbes watches as he proceeds to give Goldilocks specific directions.

Prince Charming's Schemes

Following the death of Bluebeard at the hands of Prince Charming, the latter meets Hobbes in Bluebeard's former office. Charming informs Hobbes that he is now under his employment. The other option is to go to the Farm, as Hobbes' glamour is about to expire. Hobbes agrees to help him. Charming reveals his scheme to gain control of Bluebeard's fortune (which is now communal property) by running for mayor and winning the election.

Later, Hobbes and his new boss step outside. Trusty John reminds Hobbes to put up his glamour, and he quickly obliges. He adds that he maintains an unblemished glamour reliability outside the Woodland. They encounter Bigby, who reveals that Charming's scheming with the Mayor has protected him from being accused of Bluebeard's murder. However, Hobbes is still facing charges for his involvement in trying to hide the crime. Charming makes it clear that Hobbes will not face any consequences for his actions. In exchange for helping to expose his former master's wrongdoings, Charming has granted him full immunity. Bigby argues that Charming lacks the authority to do such a thing, but Charming asserts that he will soon have the necessary clearance and that he and Hobbes are currently laying the groundwork for this project. Together, they set off to gather the necessary five hundred signatures to demand a special election for mayor. They begin with the ground-level shops and continue on to the apartments above.

As Charming addresses the customers inside Edward Bear's Candies, Hobbes stands by with a clipboard and pen in hand, handing out copies of the petition. By the end of the day, they have gathered 65 signatures from supportive individuals. Charming excitedly discusses his strategy to head to the Farm and collect more signatures, as well as create campaign posters. Hobbes chimes in, suggesting that they also make their own flag, since Fabletown doesn't have one. Charming is thrilled with the idea.

Hobbes putting up posters for Prince Charming while glamoured as a human.

Hobbes designs a collection of posters for Charming, and Charming is pleased with the results. Charming requests that Hobbes begins posting them immediately, with the goal of having one in every shop, restaurant, and residential hallway by the end of the day. Hobbes activates his glamour and starts slipping posters under the doors of different shops. He also asks Joel Crow to put one up in the I Am the Eggman Diner. Unbeknownst to him, he passes by an alley where three Wooden Soldiers are attacking Jack Horner. Unfortunately for Jack, Hobbes doesn't see them.

Death

Hobbes is the first to notice that the gold covering Mister Dark is cracking and is also the first to fall to the now freed Mr. Dark. Mr. Dark keeps Hobbes' skull, intending to eat the goblin's teeth later, in order to summon his spirit to serve him. However, Mr. Dark is killed by the North Wind before this happens.

Personality and Traits

Calm and dignified, Hobbes is nevertheless a formidable fighter and fought savagely during the Battle of Fabletown. He possesses a glamour for use in public, presumably provided by his masters, and notes proudly that he maintains an unblemished record of reliability with it. Hobbes' great expertise as servant leads him to be apparently very well paid; when asked about it, Prince Charming dryly noted that Hobbes was better paid as a servant than he was as Mayor himself.

Appearances

Fables Fables #2 (first appearance) Fables #3 Fables #12 Fables #13 Fables #14 (first identified as Hobbes) Fables #17 Fables #19 Fables #20 Fables #21 Fables #24 Fables #25 Fables #26 Fables #27 Fables #30 Fables #31 Fables #42 (mentioned only) Fables #54 Fables #55 Fables #59 Fables #71 Fables #75 Fables #76 Fables #79 Fables #82 Fables #98 Fables #100 Fables #105 (skull only) Fairest Fairest #27 (flashback) The Unwritten Fables The Unwritten #50 (alternative universe) The Unwritten #51 (alternative universe) The Unwritten #53 (alternative universe)

Trivia

• He is presumably named after the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes. His name also appears to be a pun on the word "hobgoblin."