Garfield Time

Welcome to my Garfield shrine!

As a child I would go to the library and bring home books of Garfield comics, reading them chronologically until I got to the most recent they had. Then I started all over from the begining. I did that a few times, desperately hoping they would have newer books, but eventually I gave up.

Nowdays I probably wouldn't find the Garfeild comics all that funny due to overused jokes, yet I can't help but feel fondness for Garfield the cat

My Plush

Here is a 1981 plush my buddie got me as a gift!!!!

I was not at all expecting him, so I was very touched. I tend to be critical or indifferent towards gifts, as they are my least important love language, but he meant a lot to me. He now sits on my headboard :3

Tattoo

I am also planning on getting this garf as my first tattoo

He would be a simple cheaper tattoo as my first, and he has sentimental value. I carfully chose this image for his cute design and comforting pose

Evolution of Garfield

This wouldn't be a Garfield page without a style evolution image ;3

This image is my edit of this compilation made by deviantart user DoomesPro93

Note that this diagram does not show even intervals for years, instead I selected years based on how much Garfield's design has changed

For a while now many people have made mock Garfield style evolutions, poking fun at how large Garfeild's eyes and feet have gotten, speculating how grotesquely large they will be in the future. Not suprisingly, Jim Davis's style evolution has slowed down a lot. Naturally an artist's style will change drastically in their early days of illustrating a new subject, and then over the years, the changes become a lot slower and more subtle. Notice how much Garfield's appearance changed from the beginning to end of 1978, where as he looks pretty much the same in 2019 as he did in 2007

Why are Garfield's Feet so Large Now?

According to this article where Jim Davis is interviewed, Garfield's transition into a two legged character was encouraged by Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts

If we look at the strips we can see evidence of this. Rather than gradually growing, the change in garfields feet is an intentional decision by Jim Davis

April 18, 1981 - an early strip showing Garfield on his hind feet; this is treated as a novelty, rather than part of his design. Jon's remark is a bit ironic considering the future.

July 19 1982 - Garfield is mostly shown standing to kick Odie off the table, or for other very specific poses

May 18, 1983 - the last time we see Garfields small kitty feet before he's switched over. Here I'm willing to bet hes only shown on two feet because his front paws are full.

June 7, 1983 - the first time we see Garfield with long feet

June 11, 1983 - long feet one day before this slip up:

June 12, 1983 - Garfield depicted with small feet, after Jim started drawing him with long feet.

This is the most telling sign that Jim conciously chose to change how he draws Garfield's feet, as he slipped up and accidentally did his default a day after. That or he may have drafted this comic before June 7th.

June 30, 1983 - to my observation he consistently has long feet after this point. As such, he begins to be shown a lot more on his hind feet, in situations like this one where he's not really required to be; he could have been shown sneaking on all four feet

It's interesting to note that this signifigant change in how Garfield is depicted, occurs pretty early on on the strip, in 1983.

Davis's inspiration from Schultz is very apparent at first, especially with how garfields hind legs flow into his body, but he gradually develops a more distinct way of drawing Garfield's feet/legs. Although I do prefer Garfield in his four legged form, I think it is very touching to see the stylistic impact comic artist's inspirations have on their own comic. You can also see the influence of Schultz on Bill Watterson in his early Calvin and Hobbes strips!

Cat Behavior

The more often Garfield stands on two feet, the less catlike he is. Thats not to say he was never anthropomorphized, but in the beginning Garfield was very much a cat, and it's sad to see the comic forget that.

Here are some strips/clips of Garfield being a kitty!