Posted by admin | Posted in Cartoon Collectables | Posted on 23-07-2007
Tags: comic, comics, garfield, garfield odie, garfield odie abu dhabi, garfield odie coloring pages, garfield odie comics, garfield odie pictures, humor, odie
The Evolution of the Garfield Comic Strip
June 19th, 1978 saw the birth of one of the most beloved and best known comic strips of all time, Garfield, a tale of an ornery but lovable orange tabby cat, his owner Jonathan Q. Arbuckle, better known simply as Jon, and the long-eared but equally adorable Odie the dog. Garfield was the brain child of cartoonist Jim Davis and over the past three decades, has evolved into a billion dollar empire as well as holding the record for being the most widely syndicated comic strip in the entire world, appearing in just over 2,500 different publications.
Over the years, Garfield has developed a rather distinct personality that centers around his laziness, his sarcasm and selfishness, his incredible love of napping and eating lasagna, as well as his deep hate for dieting. The very first characters to appear in the strip, besides Jon and Garfield, were Odie the yellow Beagle, who made his debut in August of the same year, followed by Pooky a few months later, who is Garfield’s best friend and stuffed teddy bear with whom he regularly communicates with just as if he too were a “living” animal.
In addition to the regular gang, the comic strip also includes a host of other major and secondary characters, such as Nermal, the small gray, striped kitten who routinely irritates Garfield with his eternal cuteness, as well as Arlene, a furry pink cat who has an ongoing love-hate relationship with the large orange tabby cat. And finally, Garfield’s veterinarian and Jon’s love interest, Dr. Liz Wilson who first appeared back in June of 1979. As Jon and Liz grew closer in recent years, Garfield became jealous but soon learned to make friends with his old vet and their relationship continues to blossom today.
A few years later, Jon’s family, characters that are loosely based on Davis’ own family, including his Mom, Dad, Grandma, and brother Doc Boy, made their appearance in the strip and the Arbuckle clan regularly get together on the family’s farm. Other characters that make occasional visits to the comic strip include Irma the waitress, Herman the mailman, Binky the clown, and a few neighbors, like the unseen Mrs. Feeny who is regularly tormented by Garfield and his mischievous deeds.
After the amazing popularity of the comic strip, Garfield soon became a television series known as “Garfield and Friends” which ran from 1988 to 1994 and featured the usual faces as well as Mr. Burnside, the Arbuckle’s next-door neighbor, Penelope Pussycat, and Cactus Jack, who is a friend of Jon. Another comic strip also created by Jim Davis, U.S. Acres, which was later renamed Orson’s Farm, also was incorporated into the show.
Garfield also eventually made his way to the big screen and the comic strip spawned three movies, starting with the 2004 “Garfield: The Movie,” and its sequel “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties” which was released in June of 2006, and the completely computer-generated “Garfield Gets Real” in 2007 that was written by Davis who took two full years to complete the script.
Garfield continues to be perhaps the world’s most beloved feline as people all over the globe enjoy reading about his many amusing antics.
About the Author
Sebastian Marders loves writing about a variety of things and sharing the website that inspires each piece with his readers. If you would like to browse a selection of funny rude pics, and funny crazy things, then please visit.
Garfield and Odie!!!
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Westland Giftware Garfield Magnetic Garfield and Odie Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 4-1/2-Inch $11.00 Item # 15295Made by Westland GiftwareMeasures 4.5″ HNew in its original box… |
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Garfield Melamine Serving Tray $18.00 Perfect for pool side, outdoor grilling, or serving TV snacks on game day, this attractive and colorful serving tray is at home in the kitchen as well as outdoors at the grill. Crafted of heavy duty, top rack dishwasher safe melamine, this beautifully decorated, 18 by 11 inch Serving Tray by MotorHead Products…. |
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Garfield Chip n Dip bowl $13.50 Snack Attack! The Garfield Chip & Dip bowl celebrates Garfield’s quest for food. Molded of 100% melamine, this heavy weight, Garfield accented Chip & Dip Server is sure to make a hit with the kids or family gathering. Please your Garfield the Cat fans and serve up the salsa and chips in style. Top Rack Dishwasher Safe…. |
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Fox Kids Video Collection (3 Pack): The Tick Vrs Arthur, Garfield Goes Hollywood, Where’s Waldo Birthday Blow-out $44.99 This collection contains lovable ornery Garfield who wants to visit the Hollywood scene and become a star! In Where’s Waldo you get to join the hunt as Waldo, Woof and Wenda search for a stolen Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cake recipe. It’s delicious fun! It’s filled with wacky puzzles and mazes. Tick, a big 7′ super hero discovers that his sidekick doggie, Arthur, is actually a big rat and extraordina… |
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12 pc Garfield Cat Happy Birthday Cupcake Picks $5.94 … |
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Garfield and Odie Welcome Home 18 Mylar Balloon $2.55 This balloon will let that special person know they where missed and you welcome their return. Make the homecoming a day to remember…. |
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Garfield Travel Kit – Garfield tooth brush w/Crest Toothpaste $2.25 Very cute and practical travel kit for Garfield The Cat lovers. Travel kit with patented ziggly Garfield toothbrush, a toothbrush cap and a Crest toothpaste Colorful handles with a comfortable grip Soft DuPont bristles Officially licensed Garfield product… |
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Garfield $19.95 Garfield is a great game starring the world-famous cartoon cat! Garfield fell asleep when Jon was out, leaving Odie to trash the house. Now Garfield has 1 hour to fix all the damage Odie caused and earn himself a huge dish of lasagna…. |
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Wide World of Garfield (PC & Mac) $1.95 Tap dancing his way into 41 U.S. newspaper in 1978, everyone’s favorite flabby today stars in the comics pages of over 2,500 papers in 87 countries! Revisit over a quarter-century of the exploits of the world’s funniest caffeine-coveting, lasagna-loving spider-swatting, puppy-punting, feisty feline: it’s The Wide World of Garfield on CD-ROM…. |
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Garfield – Mad About Cats $43.50 Everyone’s favorite cat comes to life on this CD! It’s a fast and funny adventure that teaches about cats from all over the world. Join Garfield and Odie as they become the mad scientist, Dr. Frankencat, and his eager assistant, Eager!… |