Celebrate 30 Years of Iconic Garfield Comics: Top 10 Must-Read Strips

Garfield: A Timeless Classic

Garfield, the iconic comic strip created by Jim Davis, has managed to remain relevant and humorous since its inception over 30 years ago. The humor found within these comics, particularly those from the 1990s, transcends the eras in which they were published, demonstrating a clever avoidance of specific political or social commentaries. Instead, Davis focused on universal themes that resonate with audiences across generations: food, laziness, and relatable personal quirks.

This deliberate choice to steer clear of fleeting trends enables a fresh appreciation of older strips, much to the delight of devoted fans. Readers can enjoy the classic humor of this lazy, lasagna-loving cat without the distraction of temporal references. With this in mind, here’s a look at ten of the most amusing Garfield comics that celebrated their 30th anniversary in November 1994.

10 Garfield Admits the Kitchen Means the World to Him (in the Funniest Way)

Garfield – November 7, 1994

Garfield telling Jon that the kitchen means the world to him.

Garfield strolls triumphantly towards Jon, claiming to have just returned from extensive “world travels”, a proclamation punctuated by his cheery demeanor. Jon quickly points out, with dry wit, that Garfield hasn’t journeyed beyond the confines of their home. In a clever retort, Garfield insists, “It’s the world to me.”

It’s no secret that Garfield’s one true love is food; thus, his emotional connection to the kitchen is entirely understandable. This quirky exchange epitomizes the character’s unfiltered love for food and his humorous perspective on life.

9 “Comedy” or “Drama” , Garfield Just Loves Hitting Jon in the Face with a Pie

Garfield – November 8, 1994

Garfield races towards Jon, clutching a pie, loudly proclaiming his love for “comedy”as he prepares to toss it in Jon’s face. Despite Jon’s assertion that pie-in-the-face antics aren’t humorous, Garfield enthusiastically executes the act, gleefully declaring, “I love drama”afterward.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what Jon labels the moment. Garfield relishes the opportunity, demonstrating that for him, the joy is simply in the act of throwing a pie, regardless of its classification.

8 Garfield is Not Susceptible to Odie’s Contagious Optimism

Garfield – November 9, 1994

As Garfield lies sulkily on the ground, Odie bounds over, exuding cheerful energy. In his signature sardonic style, Garfield quips, “It’s impossible not to be cheerful when Odie’s around. So I’ll leave,”and walks away.

This moment perfectly encapsulates Garfield’s immunity to Odie’s boundless optimism. Admittedly, Odie might be better off without Garfield’s negativity lingering nearby, as it’s likely to spill into antics that only undermine the moment.

7 Garfield Doesn’t Even Wait Until His Food is Served Before He Starts Eating

Garfield – November 10, 1994

Garfield telling Jon to pour his cat food directly into his mouth.

When Jon prepares Garfield’s dinner, intending to serve it in a bowl, Garfield is far too eager. Instead of waiting patiently, he opens his mouth wide, ready to devour the cat food directly from the can in one go.

This comical depiction underscores Garfield’s insatiable appetite and impatience; the notion of a food bowl merely hinders him from indulging in his favorite pastime—eating.

6 Garfield & Odie Literally Drive Jon Insane

Garfield – November 13, 1994

Odie and Garfield driving Jon crazy during dinner.

At the dinner table, Jon attempts to enjoy his meal, but he’s suddenly surrounded by his two rambunctious pets. Garfield and Odie eagerly beg for a taste, and when Jon refuses, their antics escalate as they employ teamwork to snatch a bite.

With Odie lapping up Jon’s water and Garfield reaching for the steak, the chaos culminates in Jon’s frantic attempt to finish his meal, resulting in a comical breakdown that frightens both pets.

5 Garfield Gets Really Weird When He’s Bored

Garfield – November 15, 1994

Garfield dressing his foot up in a birthday hat when he's bored.

Left alone with nothing to do, Garfield’s boredom leads to absurd behavior. He lifts a leg to reveal that his foot is adorned with a birthday hat, stating, “My foot is having a good time.”His tone is anything but celebratory, emphasizing his bizarre quest to alleviate boredom.

This amusingly strange behavior shows the lengths Garfield will go to entertain himself, illustrating that sometimes, boredom can bring out the eccentricities in all of us.

4 Garfield & Jon Enjoy Some Interesting Friday Nights

Garfield – November 18, 1994

Garfield and Jon playing darts with sardines.

On what seems like an ordinary Friday, Garfield and Jon engage in a playful variant of darts. Instead of traditional darts, they hurl sardines at a target, showcasing Jon’s surprising skill in the unusual game.

This unique moment reveals a softer side to their relationship, as Garfield’s reluctance to show enjoyment seems to mask a deeper bond formed over shared leisure activities. It’s a charming glimpse into their friendship that counters their usual antics.

3 Garfield Gets Outsmarted by a Clever Mouse

Garfield – November 20, 1994

Garfield trying to catch a mouse with toy cheese.

In a comedic twist, Garfield attempts to catch a mouse using a toy cheese. However, instead of luring the mouse, the setup backfires hilariously when a toy mouse chases after the fake cheese, revealing that the real mouse is one step ahead.

Fans of the series might recognize a familiar face, as this mouse could be Squeak—a character who shared adventures with Garfield years earlier. This twist adds a layer of nostalgia and intrigue about Garfield’s intentions.

2 Garfield Receives a Hilariously Perfect Dose of Karmic Justice

Garfield – November 24, 1994

Jon is excitedly learning about a new fish he bought, only to find Garfield in a predicament. As Jon explains how the fish can expand to fifty times its size, Garfield proves the fact in a rather unfortunate way by swallowing it whole.

Garfield’s greed leads to immediate karmic repercussions, providing a humorous twist that showcases the clever writing inherent in the series. What goes around certainly comes around!

1 Garfield & Odie are the Perfect Partners in Crime

Garfield – November 27, 1994

As Jon attempts to enjoy his hamburger, he becomes suspicious of Garfield when he notices a tail inching closer. To protect his lunch, Jon moves the burger away, yet Garfield cunningly appears right where the burger has been shifted, stealing it before Jon is aware.

What Jon initially perceived as Garfield’s tail is revealed to be Odie sporting a makeshift tail disguise, working in sync with Garfield for their mischievous lunch heist. This hilarious moment encapsulates their dynamic relationship, proving their loyalty to each other even against Jon.

This vivid comic strip illustrates how Garfield and Odie are more than just pets; they are inseparable partners in mischief, making this one of the standout comics marking Garfield’s enduring appeal.

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