about - the comic
'Garfield' is the creation of cartoonist Jim Davis, first published in 1976 under the name 'Jon', but the strip would be known as 'Garfield' from 1978 onwards. Since the conception of the comic in 1976, it has been released in anthologies, and has birthed multiple TV specials and movies. It is set in Davis' hometown of Muncie, Indiana - although this is only mentioned once. In a similar vein, despite Jon having his own fleshed-out character, he is still somewhat of a relatable everyman. The key principles of 'Garfield' are: laziness, loving food, and hating mondays. I suppose you could say Garfield leads a hedonistic life, in some ways. There is also a focus on Jon's 'lacklustre' social life, specifically his inability to date - however, it is not the be-all and end-all of the series.
you may know that garfield was initially depicted on all fours, just like any other cat before he was adapted to be more anthropomorphic. but, what you may not have known is that the first standing-up garfield was drawn by charles schulz, the creator of peanuts!
Much emphasis is often placed on the more selfish aspects of Garfield's character, but to leave it at that is a disingenuous and shallow reading of the text. Yes, Garfield is selfish and acts almost always exclusively in self interest, but, the comic strips include a great deal of joy and love, especially for Garfield's family (Jon, and to a slightly lesser extent, Odie). In the comic for June 23rd, 1978, Garfield declares that "happiness is a warm television set" - a simple pleasure. The tonally dark 1989 'Garfield Alone' ends with him expressing that he does not wish to be alone, denying his lonely 'reality' (reality is in quotations as Jim Davis has confirmed that this comic is non-canonical) to return to his home. The sombre and disconcerting tone of this set of strips mirrors a reality where Garfield is not with those he loves - dark, cavernous and devoid of joy.
