Garfield is one of the most popular and most merchandised comics characters in the world, yet there are a lot of of facts the average person doesn't know about the long-running Jim Davis strip. Launching in 1976 under a different title, Garfield's went from success to success and quickly become a household name. Garfield the cat is an instantly recognizable and ironically iconic character, with a great deal of literature getting written about how Davis initially created the grumpy feline, the reasoning behind that original inspiration, and ultimately how it has gone from strength to strength.

Boasting one of the best cartoon catchphrases of all time — "I hate Mondays" — Garfield was instantly relatable and captured the audience's attention thanks to its honest and simple point of view. The comic would innovate and evolve, ensuring that it continued to match modern tastes, demonstrating that Garfield himself is timeless as a creation. These facts might just help fans rethink what they know about the comic strip and how its size and scale can be measured after years atop the mountain.

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Garfield Is The Most Widely Syndicated Comic Strip

An image of Garfield in a dressing gown surrounded by his depressing comics. The relatable cartoon character thus actually garnered the Guinness World Record for the most widely syndicated comic strip of all time, an honor it continues to hold. Considering the medium isn't exactly in its heyday and digital publishing is taking hold further, Garfield could hold the position forever more.

Gardield Is Set In Muncie, Indiana

An image of Garfield the cat laying on his back. 10 Bleakest Peanuts Comic Strips Of All Time

Garfield Has Spun Off Multiple New York Times Best Sellers

An image of Garfield the cat in a top hot on a stage. get over their case of the Mondays, Garfield has led the charge and thus become a New York Times Best Seller on multiple occasions. Looking through the archives will reveal Garfield's ascent to the top of that list against some worthy competition.

Jim Davis Has Changed Garfield's Format

An image of Garfield and Blondie crossing over in a comic strip.The 10 Best Far Side Comics

Jim Davis Created Garfield With Multimedia And Merchandising In Mind

An image of Garfield the cat in live-action, gripping onto a table. With multiple Garfield movies, published collections, TV shows, toys and all kinds of products, in the end, Davis turned out to be spot on with his analysis.

Multiple Creators Work On Garfield With Jim Davis

An image of Garfield the cat looking smug. became especially iconic in the 80s, it continues to evolve with new voices.
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Garfield Is Never Political

An image of Garfield the Cat with food alongside his comic. Peanuts, but that's what makes Garfield special.

Jim Davis Named Garfield After A Family Member

An image of Garfield and his friends in Lasagna Party key art. Gary Larson's 10 Funniest The Far Side Comics About Science And Discovery

Garfield Has Its Origins In A Comic Strip Titled Gnorm Gnat

An image of Gnorm the Gnat in his comic strip. Calvin and Hobbes.

Paws Inc. Owns The Rights To Garfield

An image of Jon Arbuckle, Garfield, and Odie in The Garfield Show10 Funniest Calvin And Hobbes Strips About School