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Title: Garfied at 25: In Dog Years I'd Be Dead
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Chances are parents won't have a problem with kids reading this book. Come on, why would they? This is Garfield for pete's sake! Sure he may have a sarcastic additude, and he may not be much of a role model, but most of the humor is no worse then the kind of humor you'd find in Peanuts. Besides, this book is more of a look at various Garfield merchendise that was made, so there's not enough comics in here to potentially offend anyone in the first place. So sit down and enjoy kids, cause I don't think mom and pop are going to have a problem with this book in your hands. |
Ah yes, Garfield. Has it really been 25 years since we were introduced to the lasuana loving fat cat? Hard to believe that such a simple character would go on to be the biggest comic strip to hit the papers since Charles M. Schulz gave the world "Peanutes" (and in many ways, Garfielf has surpressed "Peanuts" in terms of popularity and financial success). It's not too hard to see why Garfield became such a big success; Garfield was a rebal (and everyone loved a rebel), he loathed responability, he slept all day, he ate as much food as he wanted, he kept kicking the dog off the table (and the dog was too dumb to ever figure out how to avoid this), and all the while Garfield had this sneeky personality and quick one-liners that just made everyone grin. After all, deep down inside who didn't[idaliazed] want to be Garfield, and get away with murder all while being fat and lazy at the same time? Face it folks: Garfield had it good. He had it REAL good! What also made Garfield such a huge hit was the quality of the merchendise. The posters were hilarious, the Saturday morning cartoon show "Garfield & Friends" was a hit with both kids and adults, and those cute car window suction cups were a (some say puzzling) worldwide sensation, to the point that it succefully made a dent in American pop culture.
So yes, I guess you could say that Garfield has easily established himself as one of the most recognizable characters ever created, and whether you love him or hate him, you can't deny the impact he's had on people. Which brings us to the release of the humorously titled book "Garfield at 25: In Dog Years I'd Be Dead," which may disapoint many fans in the fact that unlike most anniversary collections that highlight the best comic strips while offering history trivia for everyone to enjoy, "Garfield at 25" seems more like a commercial for how successful Garfield has been. The book actually starts off on the right foot though. It shows early comics that Jim Davis attempted to sell (but wasn't too successful at doing so), there's a bit of history about Jim's childhood life, and then we see some of the very first concept sketchs for Garfield...most of which feature a startling early version of Garfield that many people are glad was never used. We read some history of some of the changes Jim made to the comic before it got published (originally it was to be about Jon and Lyman, but the syndicates pointed out that the house cat kept getting all the best lines so Jim changed the focus of the strip to Garfield), some of Jim's favorite comics, and then we move onto the merchendising stuff. There are chapters showing us all the great mugs Garfield was on. There are posters that you will have most likely seen many times before. There are comments on how successful the TV show and specials were (there's even a TV special called "Happy Birthday, Garfield," but my attempts to track down the tape or even information on the special has been in vain, so I'm rather puzzled about the existance of this tape).
There's a whole section dedicated to the afore mentioned Garfield suction cups (as well as a look back on the "Krushed Kitty" knockoff that was funny to everyone but Paws lawyers). Heck, this book even covers Garfield post-it notes and merchendise from China. It's all stuff, stuff, stuff! Whether or not you'll find this extensive look at Garfield merchendise as interesting or grating will depend on how much of it you've collected at one point in time. While I found the constant looks at various Garfield toys grating at times, I must admitt I was smiling several times when I saw a calender or a note pad I used to own in the book. Granted, if I make it sound like this book is about nothing BUT merchendising then I would be a lieing! There is a lengthy interview with Jim Davis included in this book that is very insightful and interesting, there are some stories (and photos) shared of Jim with other celebraties at various parties that are fun to look at, and a little history that Jim wrote "Mr. Potato Head" comics was just...interesting. I also find it honorable that mention is made of Jim's "other" underpraised and (unfortunetly) rarely read comic strip "U.S. Acres" made in this book, as well as a few sample comics. Maybe this book combined with the DVD releases of the "Garfield & Friends" TV show will stir up enough interest in the comic that we can see the books come back into print for everyone to enjoy once more (hey, I can dream can't I).
However the highlight of the book (and worth the price of admition alone) is a collection of rejected comics strips and poster concepts. If you ever thought Garfield was totally innocent then this section may make you raise an eyebrow or two, but rest assured that these rejected comics and posters are pretty funny, and I'm glad someone had the guts to include them (even though they, disapointingly, came without any commentaries explaining WHY these ideas were rejected...although I've got a few idea's on why for a couple of them). The book ends almost in an ironic sort of way, with a letter from Lynn Johnson of "For Better or For Worse" fame. Why is this ironic you ask? It's ironic because "For Better or For Worse" (as the book covers love to remind you) is "North America's Most Popular Comic Strip." Yet after looking at the merchendising bonnanza Garfield is, and how very little of a marketing push "For Better or For Worse" has, you can't help but realize that deep down inside, this is a lie, and that Garfield is the king of all comic strips for the forseeable future. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice letter, but I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the whole thing. Or maybe I'm the only one who see's the irony in this. Who knows? Bottom line is it's there, whether you see it or not. So what do I think about this book in general? Honestly, despite the fact that a lot of marketing went into pushing this book as the ultimate Garfield book for the fans, I can't help but feel that that is not true. The 20th anniversary book had a far more balanced look at the comic strip, merchendise, and history of Garfield.
Jim Davis did lots of commentaries in that book, and the book was a real treat to the fans. Except for a few select chapters here and there, this book is more of a "look at how much money we've made selling Garfield junk" over a real history book for the fans. If you like to collect Garfield merchendise you will most likely love this, but those looking for a more complete history book should look elsewhere.
- -Review By Kevin T. Rodriguez- -