Object Details
- Description (Brief)
- This pen-and-ink drawing prepared for the Garfield comic strip shows the title character explaining the best things about cats.
- James Robert "Jim" Davis (1945- ) first worked at an advertising agency before transitioning into comics. Beginning in 1969, he assisted Tumbleweeds artist Tom K. Ryan. Davis later created a short-lived strip called Gnorm Gnat, which was only syndicated in one Indiana newspaper. In 1978 he launched Garfield for United Features and created one of the most popular animals in the comic world. Garfield has been represented in books, films, television specials, video games, amusement park attractions, and merchandise. Davis continues to write Garfield today.
- Garfield (1978- ) is a comic strip which looks at the life of the title character, a tabby cat, as well as a beagle named Odie, and their owner, Jon Arbuckle. Appearing in newspapers around the world, the strip’s international popularity is the result of non-topical and apolitical humor, and a simple story. The character Garfield is lazy and fat, and usually presents a disdainful attitude towards everything. He is often seen harassing Odie, his happily naïve housemate. Garfield also looks down on his owner, Jon, because of Jon's inability to get a date or benefit from social situations. Dr. Liz Wilson, Garfield’s veterinarian, was introduced in the second year of the strip’s run. She became Jon's romanic interest. In 2006, Jon and Liz began dating and then became engaged.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- original artist
- Davis, Jim
- publisher
- United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
- date made
- 1978-06-25
- Credit Line
- Jim Davis
- Physical Description
- paper (overall material)
- ink (overall color)
- Measurements
- overall: 58.5 cm x 63.6 cm; 23 1/16 in x 25 1/16 in
- Object Name
- drawing
- Object Type
- Cartoon
