History Characters / TheHardyBoys

* DaChief: Is the Chief of Police of the Bayport PD in every series except the ''Adventures'' (where he's replaced by a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute). He's mostly a ReasonableAuthorityFigure version, as seen in the reprints, ''Undercover Brothers'', most Digests, and a few ''Casefiles'', but is portrayed as more uninspired and lazy in the original versions, while most of the ''Casefiles'' and a few Digests instead have him as a major grump quick to start yelling at others, especially where the Hardy Boys are concerned.
* ADayInTheLimelight: ''Casefiles'' #55, "Beyond the Law", is a CharacterFocus issue for him, where the Hardy Boys learn about his backstory and team up with him to bring down the BigBad, an EvilFormerFriend and ex-partner of his.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Usually listens to the Hardy Boys warnings and ideas, but is frequently unable to act on anything until they come up with proof. On occasion, he actually asks them for help.

* DaChief: Is the Chief of Police of the Bayport PD in every series except the ''Adventures'' (where he's replaced by a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute). He's mostly a ReasonableAuthorityFigure version, as seen in the reprints, ''Undercover Brothers'', most Digests, and a few ''Casefiles'', but is portrayed as more uninspired and lazy in the original versions, while most of the ''Casefiles'' and a few Digests instead have him as a GrumpyBear, especially where the Hardy Boys are concerned.

* FriendOnTheForce: Becomes this for the Hardys, particularly in the ''Casefiles'' series--where Chief Collig is usually a short-tempered GrumpyBear, so they go to Con for help instead--and in quite a few of the Digests, where they'll contact him for background checks or other information even while investigating cases outside of Bayport.

* FriendOnTheForce: Becomes this for the Hardys, particularly in the ''Casefiles'' series.

* GrumpyBear: For most of the ''Casefiles'' and a few of the Digests. Him displaying this attitude towards Frank and Joe is mostly because he resents them butting in on police work to solve their cases, but it's also shown that he's just a grumpy police chief in general who yells at his officers a lot.

* BigBrotherInstinct: In Casefiles he can be just as much of a grouch as Collig, dissuading the brothers from getting into police business, but most of the time it's because he worries about the dangers they would get into. Joe has also mentioned that he and Frank can always count on Con to look out for their friends should they get into trouble.

** Case 105: "Law of the Jungle": he's assigned to come to Bornio to thwart a plan by the Assassins, but also helps Frank and Joe save their father, Fenton, who was infected by a disease as part of the Assassins' plot. It's partly because this aligns with the mission anyway, but he nonetheless makes saving Fenton specifically a high priority, and assigns a very able bodyguard to protect him from being targeted further.

* GrumpyBear: the ''Casefiles'' and Digests series often depict him as having a bit of a temper, especially when Frank and Joe decide to butt into police business.

* BigBrotherInstinct: In Casefiles he can be just as much of a GrumpyBear as Collig, dissuading the brothers from getting into police business, but most of the time it's because he worries about the dangers they would get into. Joe has also mentioned that he and Frank can always count on Con to look out for their friends should they get into trouble.

* RevengeByProxy: The bomb that killed Iola was actually meant for the Hardys.

* NoodleIncident: One of the Digests alludes to how Joe confused a dog bowl for one of Phil's inventions, but it 's never really been clarified.

* MeetCute: Meets the Hardys after the VillainOfTheWeek has slashed the tires on her car. After they help her get it towed, drive her home, and meet her mom (kicking off the case), she notes that maybe it was a blessing in disguise, since it allowed them to meet.

* FriendOnTheForce: Eventually becomes this for the Hardy Boys.

!! The Hardy Boys

!!! Frank Hardy

!!! Joe Hardy

!! Fenton Hardy

!! Laura Hardy

!! Gertrude Hardy

!! Chet Morton

!! Allen "Biff" Hooper

!! Callie Shaw

!! Iola Morton

!! Tony Prito

!! Phil Cohen

!! Sam Radley

!! Vanessa Bender

!! Chief Ezra Collig

!! Con Riley

!! Oscar Smuff

!! The Gray Man/Arthur Gray

** In Case 100: "True Thriller", similar to the second example, when the Assassins kidnap Joe's girlfriend and SecondLove Vanessa (after previously killing his FirstLove Iola), the Gray Man assures him that he'll do whatever it takes to get Vanessa back. He keeps the promise, too; when the Assassins demand a PrisonerExchange--the Gray Man in exchange for Vanessa--he doesn't hesitate to agree to the trade, even though doing so would be almost certain death for him.

** Similar to the second example, in Case 100: "True Thriller", when the Assassins kidnap Joe's girlfriend and SecondLove Vanessa (after previously killing his FirstLove Iola), the Gray Man assures him that he'll do whatever it takes to get Vanessa back. He keeps the promise, too; when the Assassins demand a PrisonerExchange--the Gray Man in exchange for Vanessa--he doesn't hesitate to agree to the trade, even though doing so would be almost certain death for him.

** Case 108: "Blown Away": When he and the Hardys travel to Bhotai to continue an investigation, the authorities try to arrest them almost as soon as they arrive. The Gray Man provides a distraction and allows himself to be apprehended to allow the boys to continue on.

The Gray Man, another ''Casefiles''-only character, works for the secret international organization "The Network", often working with cases involving terrorism. He is completely unassuming and blends in perfectly with the crowd, but is extremely observant and good with both fists and guns. He resents the Hardy Boys' interference in their first case together, and they didn't get along for the first few books. Later on in the series, he still considers them little more than talented amateurs, but has gradually come to respect their skills and occasionally calls on their help.

* AloofAlly: Knows the Hardys can get results, but reluctant to put them into danger given their relative inexperience. How aloof he is depends on the book; sometimes their relationship is fairly petulant and vitriolic, and other times, they're sincerely friends.
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In his earlier appearances, he was portrayed as less competent, with crooks easily getting the drop on him and subduing him (see Worf had the Flu below), but actually had a greater air of superiority and was more condescending to the Hardys. He becomes much more competent and badass in the later books (starting with Case 10, "Hostages of Hate", and ''especially'' Case 14, "Too Many Traitors"), and forms a sort of genuine friendship with Frank and Joe.

* FriendOnTheForce: Or in this case, friend in the secret agency. He's their contact in the Network, and the Hardys are explicitly referred to as his "protégés" on at least one occasion. Occasionally, he has vouched for them even on non-Network-related cases.

* PetTheDog: Mr. Gray does come to respect the Hardy Boys. Eventually.
** In Case 1: ''Dead on Target'', when an innocent airplane stewardess is taken hostage, the Gray Man offers himself as a hostage instead, though it was likely more of an effort to give Frank an opening to attack.
** In Case 3: ''Cult of Crime'', since the boys have been charged with murder, he mentions that he cannot get the Network involved when they try to contact him for help. He does, however, accept their request to pick up the Hardys' black van (which had to be left behind when on the run), and ends the transmission wishing Frank and Joe good luck.
** Similarly, in Case 100: ''True Thriller'', when the Assassins kidnap Joe's girlfriend and SecondLove Vanessa (after previously killing his FirstLove Iola) and demand the Gray Man in exchange for her, he doesn't hesitate to agree to the trade, even though doing so would be almost certain death for him.

The Gray Man, another ''Casefiles''-only character, works for the secret international organization "The Network", often working with cases involving terrorism. He is completely unassuming and blends in perfectly with the crowd, but is extremely observant and good with both fists and guns. He resented their interference in their first case together, which created issues between him and the Hardy brothers on several encounters. He still considers them little more than talented amateurs, but has gradually come to respect their skills and occasionally call on their help.

* AloofAlly: Knows the Hardys can get results, but reluctant to put them into danger given their relative inexperience.
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In his earlier appearances, he was portrayed as less competent, with crooks easily getting the drop on him and subduing him (see Worf had the Flu below), but actually had a greater air of superiority and was more condescending to the Hardys. He becomes much more competent and badass in the later books (starting with Case 10 ''Hostages of Hate'' and ''especially'' Case 14 ''Too Many Traitors''), and forms a sort of genuine friendship with Frank and Joe.
* CloakAndDagger: The Gray Man (and the Network) seems to be very much in this vein.

* RidiculouslyAverageGuy: In almost every appearance, he's described as the most ridiculously bland human being you could imagine.

* WorfHadTheFlu: In his first three appearances (see Characterization Marches On above), excluding his brief radio-only cameo in Book 3:
** Book 1: Hunting down the Assassin that tried to kill the Hardy Boys is his case. However, he couldn't see it to the end (which he immediately lampshades upon contacting Frank and Joe when the crisis is over) because [[spoiler:he got caught in a explosive booby trap that puts him in a coma (had Frank not pushed him away, it could've been worse) for roughly half of the book.]]

** Book 4: Frank and Joe each easily jump him once in the book at different times, and [[spoiler:he is left tied up and helpless by the bad guys who have captured him and the Hardys]].

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: As their characters diverged and got more distinct personalities, he became much more impulsive, hot-headed and girl-crazy to Frank's much more level-headed and intellectual personality. He particularly becomes this (in a teasing way) in ''Undercover Brothers'', where the boys' relationship is more teasing than ever. Not that Frank doesn't frequently return the favor.

* TheBigGuy: Although shorter than Frank, he's often described as stocky and more muscular.

!! Frank Hardy
'''First appearance''': #1 ''The Tower Treasure''

* BigBrotherInstinct: Averted for the most part; Frank does worry about Joe and is always there if Joe needs him, but he knows his younger brother is capable of taking care of himself. Really, both brothers are equally protective of each other.
* BornDetective: Raised by former NYPD detective and now current PI father, Fenton.
* BrainsAndBrawn: The brains half.
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: Case 3: ''Cult of Crime'' centers on rescuing Holly Strand, [[RememberTheNewGuy supposedly]] a childhood friend of the Hardy Boys. Frank mentions that, before he met Callie, he thought he and Holly would have probably fallen in love as they grew up. Frank has moved on, and Holly gets PutOnABus at the end of the book, but her feelings for Frank is still strong.
* DistressedDude: Frequently kidnapped as part of the story, sometimes with Joe, sometimes solo.
* GirlOfTheWeek: Mostly only in the spin-off series (''Casefiles'', ''UB'', ''Adventures''). Normally, the girl either goes for Joe or is a platonic friend, but if she does fall for Frank, either a) he'll turn her down because he's dating Callie (in the Casefiles), b) he returns the feelings, but she turns out to be one of the bad guys, or c) both. Interestingly, every ''single'' time he clearly returns the feelings and pursues it, she turns out to be a bad guy; Frank's track record in this area, ratio-wise, is actually much worse than Joe's.
* GuileHero: Even Joe can occasionally become a pawn when Frank plans to outsmart their enemies.
* HeterosexualLifePartners:
** He and Joe may be brothers, but they're definitely this as well. They're closer than ''many'' real-life siblings and have basically mastered non-verbal communication with each other, and any girl in Frank's life will always come second after Joe on Frank's list of priorities.
** To a lesser extent, both brothers have this relationship with Chet, too.

* KidDetective[=/=]AmateurSleuth: He and Joe are one of the most famous examples in fiction.

* RedOniBlueOni: The blue to Joe's red.
* TheSmartGuy: The most intellectual out of the Hardy Boys' regular group of friends.

* TranquilFury: Chet has had enough of a racist politician's comments about his friends, and tells the burly bodyguard that he should just take his boss and leave the premises. When Frank manages to calm him down, the bodyguard decides to pull a sucker punch that knocked the wind out of poor Chet. Seeing what happened to his friend, Frank calmly challenges the bodyguard to try the same stunt again, this time for someone who's ready. He threw another punch...and Frank easily sends him flying out of the house with a judo throw.

!! Joe Hardy
'''First appearance''': #1 ''The Tower Treasure''

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: As their characters diverged and got more distinct personalities, he became the much more impulsive, hot-headed and girl-crazy red one to Frank's much more level-headed and intellectual blue one.

* BornDetective: Raised by former NYPD detective and now current PI father, Fenton.
* BrainsAndBrawn: The brawn half.

* DistressedDude: Frequently kidnapped as part of the story, sometimes with Frank, sometimes solo.
* GirlOfTheWeek: Mostly only in the spin-off series (''Casefiles'', ''UB'', ''Adventures''). In the ''Casefiles'' and ''Adventures'', if the girl isn't just a platonic friend, she'll usually fall for Joe, but this is inverted in the ''UB''s (much to his annoyance). Occasionally, one of these girls Joe likes will turn out to be one of the villains, but interestingly, this actually happens to Frank much more often than it does to Joe.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: He and Frank may be brothers, but they're definitely this as well. They do just about everything together and can basically read each other's minds, and any girl in Joe's life will always play second fiddle to Frank as far as Joe is concerned.
** To a lesser extent, both brothers have this relationship with Chet, too.

* KidDetective[=/=]AmateurSleuth: He and Frank are one of the most famous examples in fiction.
* MadeOfIron: Once took on a terrorist who issued a disabling cut to his hand, and crawled away from a serious car accident with nothing more than a bad case of amnesia.
* RedOniBlueOni: The red to Frank's blue.
* RunningGag: in winter-themed adventures, Joe will ''always'' be a victim to thin ice.
* TeacherStudentRomance: Case 105: ''Bad Chemistry'', where Joe's new-found interest in Chemistry is the young new teacher. Frank won't stop needling him for this.

* TheBigApplesauce: In her first appearance in "Mayhem in Motion", she and her mother Andrea have recently moved to Bayport from Manhattan. Them being from New York City is referenced several times in various books.

* GuysSmashGirlsShoot: Gets a bow and arrow in "True Thriller" and is stated to be far more proficient with it than Joe, who prefers to use GoodOlFistcuffs.

* TheBigApple: In her first appearance in "Mayhem in Motion", she and her mother Andrea have recently moved to Bayport from Manhattan.

* GuysSmashGirlsShoot: Gets a bow and arrow in "True Thriller" and is stated to be far more proficient with it than Joe, who prefers to use GoodOldFistcuffs.

* LoveAtFirstSight: Maybe not full-on ''love'', but she and Joe click pretty much immediately after meeting, and Frank notices them holding hands pretty early on, even before they officially begin dating.

* BodyDouble: In the finale of the original series' "The Wailing Siren Mystery", Sam pretended to be captured as a smokescreen for Mr. Hardy. The villains really thought that they captured Fenton Hardy (it helps that they didn't even know what he looked like) until he sprung a trap for them.

'''First appearance''': ''Casefiles'' #69 ''Mayhem in Motion''

Appearing only in the ''Casefiles'' series, she is a client who the Hardy Boys helped. At the end of the case, she and Joe began dating, and by the time the series was canceled, they were going steady.

* StandardFiftiesFather: Played straight in the 1950's and 1960's, naturally. He's since modernized a bit.

* FamedInStory: equally famous for his adventures as a New York cop and as a world-renowned private eye. A RunningGag in the original series would be how Frank and Joe would introduce themselves to some random city's local law enforcement, and they would be immediately asked if they were in any way related to him.
* MasterOfDisguise: even his own sons are fooled until Fenton willingly gives himself away.

* WorkingTheSameCase: the mysteries that the boys are involved with sometimes overlap with his own work.

* StayInTheKitchen: By choice; she wasn't the adventurous type and rarely seemed to venture out of the house.
** This is averted in the two most recent series, though, in which she has a job: in ''Undercover Brothers'', she is the head research librarian at the Bayport public library, and in ''Adventures'', she is a real estate agent.
** Played completely straight in all series prior to these two, in which she was a stay-at-home wife/mom.

* AgeLift: in the Undercover Brother graphic novels, "Trudy" is drawn younger than in other works.

* TheAllegedCar: an old yellow jalopy he calls ''Queen''. A RunningGag in the earlier books would involve characters would complain about the pain they have to endure when riding it.
* AudienceSurrogate: in the "Detective Handbook", he's the one the Hardys teach in various police procedures (except for one chapter, where it's instead Tony who was the surrogate).

* BigFriendlyDog: in ''Secret Warning'', Biff won a ''Great Dane'' during a contest, which he christens Tivoli, and the Hardys offer to take care of him when the Hoopers are on vacation. An AngryGuardDog [[EpicFail he's not]], but Aunt Gertrude eventually warmed up to the mutt after being convinced Tivoli's heart is in the right place.

* VitriolicBestBuds: with Joe. Callie started practicing women's lib at the same time Joe was convinced she would just StayInTheKitchen. HilarityEnsues.

* CynicismCatalyst: while Joe has yet to get over it (even after meeting [[SecondLove Vanessa]]) it's Iola's death that inspired the Hardy boys to give up their "usual cases" and start their crusade against bigger crimes.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: He and Joe may be brothers, but they're definitely this as well. They're closer than ''many'' real-life siblings and have basically mastered non-verbal communication with each other, and any girl in Frank's life will always come second after Joe on Frank's list of priorities.

* IKnowMaddenKombat: before the writers decided to give him a black belt, football skills he practiced with his brother and their friends seem to do a good job. And Frank is the team ''captain''.

* SurpassedTheTeacher: in the first issue of the Undercover Brother comics, while Fenton's trying to decode a password, Frank suggests to him the probabilities, logarithms, and anagrams of finding the six most popular numbers that Fenton can probably use. Joe chides Frank that he shouldn't be giving pointers to the man who taught them everything they knew. After the boys were heralded to bed by their mother, Fenton absentmindedly tries Frank's suggestion...and was quite amused that it ''worked''.

** In Case 1: ''Dead on Target'', when an innocent airplane stewardess is taken hostage, the Gray Man offers himself as a hostage instead, though it was likely more of an effort to give Frank an opening to attack.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In his earlier appearances, he was portrayed as less competent, with crooks easily getting the drop on him and subduing him (see Worf had the Flu below), but actually had a greater air of superiority and was more condescending to the Hardys. He becomes much more competent and {{Badass}} in the later books (starting with Case 10 ''Hostages of Hate'' and ''especially'' Case 14 ''Too Many Traitors''), and forms a sort of genuine friendship with Frank and Joe.

He was actually popular enough to have the StratemeyerSyndicate consider giving him his own series in 1965, but it [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never got past the planning stage]].