Garfield, Cartoon Cat

One of the most famous cats in the world (if not the most famous) is Garfield. The comic strip by Jim Davis – who named his creation after his grandfather James Garfield Davis – has been running since 1978, and according to Wikipedia, it’s the most widely read comic strip in the world; I suppose the only real contender is Peanuts. In 2004, Garfield was the star of a live action, 3D cat kids movie. (On turning a cartoon into a movie, Jim Davis said, “it’s like taking one comic strip, stretching it out and throwing a little music in there. That’s about it.”)

Garfield shows the typical character traits of cats. Everyone who ever had a cat can immediately relate to him, and Garfield’s thoughts (he doesn’t ever speak) are what cat owners suspect their cat is thinking, too. Specifically, Garfield is lazy, always looking for something to eat, always zapping through trash TV, and he thinks he, and not his owner Jon Arbuckle (who’s portrayed as somewhat of a loser, and eternal single) is the master of the house. So he treats everyone else as either an object to kick around (the stupid dog Odie), or a way to get more food (Jon). The only other character we can see Garfield showing some respect and empathy really is his part-time cat girlfriend Arlene.

While Garfield has been created and shaped by Jim Davis, he’s not drawing the strips exclusively anymore. Jim has a team of writers and artists (Paws Inc.) and only approves some of the strips. And it seems he also makes sure all strips are very family-friendly. I can’t remember reading a single Garfield strip which was in any way offensive (other than offensive to humanity – or dogs – in general), or reacting to a current theme in any way. Even when compared to other definitely family-friendly strips, like Calvin & Hobbes, the stories lack depth. This is not to say Garfield needs depth; after all, this is just a funny cartoon strip, and Garfield’s just a cat. And why would a cat get involved in much of the worldly matters that bother humans so much anyway?

Philipp Lenssen on Sunday, Jan 1 2006 reg. Cats.