Prepare to embark on a side-splitting journey through ten of the most paw-sitively funny Jim Davis' the Garfield movie on the way, it's the perfect time to revisit some classic comic strips that showcase the 'world's cutest kitten' in all his glory.
Nermal may be small in stature, but his presence in Garfield's world is disproportionately entertaining. He's the embodiment of mischievous charm, often prompting hilarious reactions from Garfield, who's simultaneously intrigued and baffled by this purring phenomenon. So, grab a cozy spot on the couch, a plate of virtual lasagna, and us as we dive into the world of Garfield and Nermal, where a dash of adorable hilarity awaits.
10 "Meet Nermal."
A comprehensive list of the best Garfield and Nermal comic strips would be remiss without the inclusion of their initial encounter. This particular comic strip not only marks their first meeting, but also effectively establishes the dynamic that characterizes their relationship in subsequent comics. Garfield, in his characteristically amusing rudeness, immediately conveys his desire to have nothing to do with Nermal, setting the tone for his aloofness. In contrast, Nermal, an ardent lover of attention, is visibly disgruntled by the lackluster greeting, having expected to be met with attention, at the very least. This interaction exemplifies what makes Garfield comics celebrated — character dynamics that are as amusing as they are unique.
9 "I Must Be Dreaming."
Devoted fans of Garfield are well aware that motivating the famously indifferent orange cat to take action is no small feat, unless, of course, food is involved. In this comic, Garfield sternly warns Nermal against eating his food while he naps. However, in a delightful twist, Garfield's dreams conjure a future where Nermal returns years later seeking retribution for the lack of sharing, leaving Garfield in a state of starvation. The comic strip concludes on a humorous note as Garfield, ever true to his priorities, offers a shell-shocked Nermal his food. This scene hilariously underscores that, above all else, food reigns supreme in Garfield's world.
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8 "The World's Cutest Kitten!"
Nermal's iconic catchphrase, "The world's cutest kitten!" has become a beloved aspect of his character, frequently serving as a long-running gag in his comic strip appearances. This catchphrase, functioning as both a quirk and a testament to his defining trait –egocentrism – underscores a shared sense of self-importance with Garfield, which often fuels their frequent clashes. In this strip, Nermal's unabashed egotism takes the spotlight, as he delivers a blunt and backhanded assessment of Garfield's appearance as "ugly." This exemplifies the rich character dynamics found in Garfield comics, which have consistently captivated and amused readers for decades.
7 "Me Again."
In yet another classic Garfield installment,, the humor here hinges on Nermal's ever-humourous catchphrase, "the world's cutest kitten!" This comic strip masterfully leverages Nermal's unapologetic egotism, as he confidently bulldozes his way past Garfield, cheekily referring to the older cat as 'Fatso.' With unshakable self-assuredness, Nermal embarks on a self-appointed mission to charm and woo people with his undeniably adorable disposition. In just three succinct s, this comic strip manages to encapsulate the very essence of Nermal's character, a combination of egotism, self-confidence, and charming demeanor. Despite these seemingly negative traits, fans just can't help but love Nermal and all his idiosyncrasies.
6 "Kittens Love To Chase Things."
For any cat owner, especially those with two or more feline companions, this comic is a real treat, as it brilliantly captures the playful dynamics of cats, which curiously have a tendency to evolve into chaos, and antagonistic behavior. The comic's portrayal of Garfield and Nermal's relationship is nothing short of amusing in itself, but what truly makes this Garfield strip a fan-favorite is its uncanny accuracy in depicting the often violent interactions that play out among real household cats, forced by their owners to coexist. It's a testament to Jim Davis's brilliance to be able to capture these dynamics with such precision and humor.
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5 "When I Grow Up."
In this comic, we see a prime example of what has made Davis' strips so popular. What initially appears as a heartwarming moment shared between the two feline characters, swiftly takes an amusing and unexpected detour into the realm of playful insults. At first glance, it seems that Nermal is paying Garfield a compliment, expressing his desire to emulate the older cat as he grows up. However, the comic takes a clever twist as the younger cat quips, "I'd like to be like you when I grow up… and up, and up, and out, and out..." Nermal's jest subtly pokes fun at Garfield's larger size, much to the older cat's annoyance.
4 "I Want Some Attention Too."
For any pet owner, the age-old scenario of one animal vying for attention the moment another takes the spotlight is all too familiar. Jim Davis adds his own dramatically humorous spin to this universal pet-owner experience. He masterfully illustrates Garfield's descent into increasingly outrageous antics in his quest for Jon's attention, who is currently engrossed with Nermal. Garfield's antics reach their pinnacle when he resorts to bashing a plate over his head in a desperate bid to win Jon's focus. In a brilliantly witty exchange, Jon remarks that it was one of his best plates, to which a defeated Garfield retorts, "that was one of my best heads."
3 "I'm Feeling Fine..."
Once again, the core of this comic's humor hinges on Nermal's unapologetic narcissism, played off of Garfield's subdued, but nonetheless bothered reaction to the kitten's behavior. The younger feline struts around Garfield, lavishing himself with praises, while simultaneously delivering playful jabs at the older cat. This dynamic alone elicits chuckles, especially as every self-compliment Nermal bestows upon himself concludes with a biting, "and you're not," aimed squarely at Garfield. However, it's the orange cat who gets the final say in this exchange, when he reaches out and snatches Nermal by the throat, then sing-songs back to the younger cat, "I'm feeling fine. And you're not."
2 "One, Two, Three..."
Despite the simplicity of the dialogue and artwork, Davis manages to convey a remarkable depth of humor and storytelling in his typical three- strips. This is a testament to his storytelling mastery, with this particular comic standing as one of the finest examples. The straightforward dialogue leads to a comical punchline, and the three s, nearly identical in structure except for the changing facial expressions, serve to enrich the story in a manner only a skilled storyteller like Davis can achieve. It's this ability to infuse so much humor and depth into compact narratives that solidifies his status as a storytelling maestro.
1 "Fifteen!"
As Garfield himself doesn't even make an appearance in this particular strip. Instead, the spotlight is on Nermal and his hilarious monologue, which is exclusively dedicated to insulting the older cat. What sets this comic apart is the delightful blend of innocence and cheeky jabs as Nermal expresses incredulity that Garfield is fifteen years old, insinuating that nothing could possibly be that old. The humor of this Garfield comic escalates when the younger cat seriously suggests that he believed dirt was, at most, twelve years old.
