Hobbes: How come we play war and not peace?

Calvin: Too few role models.

Every year, the National Liberty Museum holds our Caretoon Contest in partnership with the L.W. Pierce Family Foundation. We started this program a few years ago, after a Danish newspaper printed some cartoons that offended many Muslims. When rioting and violence broke out in many countries around the world, we decided to harness the power of cartooning and use it for good, to build community, friendship, and peace.

Last year, we had entries from the U.S., France, China, Iran, and 33 other countries. This year, we're hoping the contest will become even more international. The theme for this year's Caretoon Contest is "Heroes of Character."

When I think of cartoons, international appeal, and heroes who show character, one person comes to mind - Bill Watterson.

Twenty-five years ago, he created an unassuming comic strip about a boy and his stuffed tiger. "Calvin and Hobbes" wasn't your run-of-the-mill comic strip, though. Mr. Watterson used it to talk about the things that are important to him, like creativity, passion, imagination, friendship and how tough it sometimes seems to lead a good, principled life. "We all have different desires and needs," he's said, "but if we don't discover what we want from ourselves and what we stand for, we will live passively and unfulfilled."

"Calvin and Hobbes" wasn't an instant success. He worked hard for five years before anyone bought it, drawing and submitting his cartoons and facing rejection each time. He's glad about that, because it taught him that money and success don't give our lives meaning. He endured those five years of struggle because he loved cartooning. So when the strip did catch on, he didn't care about the money.

At its peak, "Calvin and Hobbes" was carried in over 2,500 newspapers worldwide. His publisher wanted him to sell the rights to his characters so they could put them on lunchboxes and toys and all kinds of merchandise. He would've made millions upon millions of dollars from merchandise, but he didn't want to lose the heart and soul of the strip. As a result, he spent most of his career turning down offers of a lot of money.

Selling out, he said, isn't really selling out, but "buying into someone else's system of values, rules, and rewards."

For ten years, Bill Watterson gave the world his imagination, creativity, and his silliness. And then, when he had said everything he wanted to say, he stopped the strip. He could've made millions of dollars more by keeping the strip running, maybe even hiring other people to write it and draw it. That's what most other comic strip artists do. But to do that would go against his most cherished values.

Nowadays, he still loves making art. He and his father paint landscapes together in the woods, and he couldn't be happier with his decision. "We define ourselves by our actions. With each decision, we tell ourselves and the world who we are."

"Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a rare achievement."

Who is your Hero of Character? Write to us and let us know.

And to all you artists and budding artists out there, remember - we've extended the deadline for our Caretoon Contest to April 15! So sharpen your pencils, break out your watercolors, fire up your computer, or do whatever it is you do to make art, and create something that reflects your values. For rules, more information, or an entry form, click here.

And one last quote from that troublemaking six-year-old who was wise beyond his years:

Calvin: Things are never quite as scary when you've got a best friend.

Jon Bon Jovi has been known for loud guitars, big hair, and acid-washed jeans. He's a world-famous musician, actor, and an Academy Award-nominated songwriter.

You probably don't know about his most important work, though, as a philanthropist. Instead of spending all his money on himself, he's been giving it to people who need it. He's a great example of thrift and generosity.

In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, people are stuck living on not much more than a prayer. Jon has worked with local families to build them homes, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. In 2005, he worked alongside six families, hammering, sawing, sanding, and painting until they had homes to live in. Even though he paid for the homes, they own them

His next project is to renovate a whole block of 15 rowhomes in North Philadelphia. He'll pick up the tab again, and sweat alongside these hard-working families.

Although he's from the area, his charitable work doesn't stop here. He did the same thing on the Louisiana coast after Hurricane Katrina, providing $1,000,000 to build 28 homes with low-income families.

This past summer, after violence broke out in Iran, Jon and his Bon Jovi bandmates made a song with Iranian superstar Andy Madadian, and sent it to the people of Iran. The song, a version of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me", expressed world-wide solidarity with Iranians. Do you see the sign Jon is holding up? It says, "We are one" in Persian, the official language of Iran.

It just goes to show you that every single person has the capacity to be a hero of character. The people you see on TV, the people you see on the street, and the person you see in the mirror.

Thanks for the good work, Jon, and for being such a good example of thrift and generosity!