Jon's resilience in the face of feline absurdity, Odie's boundless energy, and the general madness of daily life serve as a testament to the enduring charm of the character. Just like a warm tray of lasagna, these ten comic strips promise a hearty serving of laughter that's perfect for any day of the week.

Related

"If You Force Something, Readers Will Pick Up on That": Garfield Creator Jim Davis Disagrees with Pretty Much Every Author's Favorite Writing Advice

Most authors say that writing every day is key to their success; one stand-out exception is Garfield creator Jim Davis, who prioritized inspiration.

Posts

17 Most People Are Their Own Harshest Critics – But Jon Has Garfield

Garfield Is Savage

Jon Arbuckle isn't the most confident, put-together character in comic book history – and so Garfield could certainly be a little more encouraging when his owner attempts to put on a snazzy outfit. In this strip, Jon directly solicits Garfield's opinion on his green plaid suit, accompanied by a pink-and-yellow polka dot bow-tie.

In response, Garfield simply holds up a paw while thinking: "Hang on, I'm working up a hairball." Jon is especially relatable in this strip for the way his enthusiasm is quickly diminished by a lackluster response.

16 Jon Arbuckle Has Zero Chill

Indoor Voice, John

Garfield's enduring appeal lies in its ability to effortlessly tap into the relatable quirks of everyday life. Case in point: when Jon Arbuckle obliviously shouts out Garfield's personal ailment, a case of fungus, through the window for anyone to hear, much to the feline's mortification.

This classic three- comic conveys the epitome of Garfield's social relevance, as it taps into the shared human experience of having a loved one accidentally divulge one's own private issues in the most public and cringe-worthy manner possible. This knack for finding humor in everyday absurdities defines the heart and soul of Garfield comics, making them universally cherished for generations.

15 As If Garfield Needs A Reason To Bop Jon

Arbuckle Is At His Cat's Mercy

The enduring charm of Garfield partially lies in his uncanny ability to channel the chaotic and often whimsically violent nature of cats. This distinctive trait shines through brilliantly in this specific comic strip where Garfield wishes Jon a "Happy-slap-in-the-back-of-the-head-day," and then proceeds to put his not-so-well-wishes into action.

It's this humorous, yet all too familiar act of seemingly unprovoked violence that strikes a chord with cat owners far and wide. Anyone who has ever shared their home with a feline companion knows that the unexpected slap, or playful, albeit sometimes painful swat is a rite of age.

14 Jon Stoops To His Pets Level

Man Vs. Nature

Jon is renowned for his unmatched ability to navigate the whirlwind of feline absurdity, Odie's uncontainable energy, and the sheer madness that defines everyday life. However, even a character as resilient as Jon has his limits. In this comic, Jon encounters the comical conundrum of defending his plate from Garfield's insatiable appetite, only to pivot into attempting to corral Odie's unrestrained enthusiasm.

In an unforgettable ending, Jon reaches a breaking point, familiar to pet owners and parents alike, resorting to shoving his food in his mouth. This uproarious scenario captures the universal experience of individuals striving to maintain composure amidst the delightful mayhem that often defines pet ownership and parenting.

13 Jon Arbuckle Only Gets Bored Because He's Boring

Read A Book, Jon

It's safe to say that the majority of excitement in the Arbuckle household comes from Garfield. Jon is generally depicted in Garfield comics as at best an ordinary guy, and at worst, totally boring. This strip emphasizes the latter interpretation of the character, as Jon sits around not only doing nothing, but blandly ruminating on his lack of anything to do.

Across three strips, Garfield's face shifts s from indifference, to frustration – sharing a sly, fourth-wall breaking grimace with the reader – and finally, to exasperation, as he throws up his paws and thinks: "you could just shut up!"

12 Garfield Delights In His Human's Misery

Okay, Maybe Don't Read A Book, Jon

Worse than boring, this strip depicts Jon as downright pathetic. In the first , he holds up an overly-bandaged finger, bemoaning to his cat that he "got a paper cut from a book." In the next he elaborates that he reacted to getting cut by dropping the book on his foot.

Evidently, Jon was reading quite the dense tome, and almost certainly a hardcover edition, given that the impact of the book on his foot has left him limping. As he hobbles away, Garfield smirks at the reader, thinking, "I love books with happy endings," making it clear that Jon's misfortune is his favoritw form of entertainment.

11 Jon Deals With An Usual Request, To Garfield's Amusement

As Risque As Garfield Gets

In the whimsical world of Garfield comics, even a 'wrong-number' phone call takes on an unexpectedly hilarious twist. In this particular comic, Jon Arbuckle finds himself on the receiving end of a peculiar request. The caller, who promptly acknowledges the incorrectly dialed number, takes an audacious leap by asking Jon if he'd be willing to "pretend to be Peggy."

The humor in this comic lies in the unstated reason why the caller would ask Jon to pose as a woman, letting readers' imaginations fill in the blank. It's a prime example of Davis' knack for taking everyday, ordinary occurrences and infusing them with sly adult humor.

10 Garfield Can Outwit Jon – Just Not Outrun Him

Got Him On A Technicality

Beyond his love for food, Garfield is renowned for his unapologetic aversion to exercise, a recurring theme that Jim Davis deftly weaves into the comics. This particular comic gem highlights the humor in this recurring motif. Jon Arbuckle, ever the optimist, extends an invitation for Garfield to him in a bout of toe-touching stretching.

However, instead of bending down to touch his own toes, as Jon had intended, Garfield extends his paw toward Jon's unsuspecting toes. It is this clever inversion of expectations and the playful yet poignant commentary on Garfield's legendary laziness that define the charm of this comic.

9 Arbuckle Should Probably Settle For A Double

Slow Down, Jon

Jon Arbuckle and Garfield are known for their love of – and at times, utter dependence on – caffeine to get through the day. Garfield is also known for his overindulgence, and while often Jon attempts to be the voice of moderation for his feline friend, when it comes to coffee, the two are evenly matched in their consumption.

This shows Jon at his most unhinged, under the influence of a "triple-shot latte," as his erstwhile love interest Liz is able to identify from the foam mustaches on Jon and Garfield's lips, if not from Jon's rapid-fire dialogue and his ferocious facial expression.

8 Jon Tries To Be Romantic & It Blows Up In His Face

Should Have Gone To The Florist

Where humorous dialogue is a hallmark of Garfield, Jim Davis masterfully demonstrates that sometimes, a comical situation can unfold even more brilliantly without dialogue. This comic breaks from tradition, placing its trust in the artistry to convey the hilarity of the moment. And it succeeds with flying colors, as Garfield, the self-serving feline, doesn't hesitate to point his paw in Jon's direction, informing the bees, who are searching for their flowers, of where the flower-stealing culprit has gone.

This is a silent comedy that relies on visual cues, but the payoff is nothing short of riotous, as the last reveals a severely stung-faced Jon, and a flummoxed date.

Related

10 Weirdest Garfield Comics Of All Time

The Garfield comics are known for their zany humor, but these comics crossed the line into some weird and genuinely dark situations.

Posts