Garfield Takes His Licks

Garfield #24

by Jim Davis

Just as the day becomes night, summer becomes fall, and breakfast becomes lunch (with ample time for snacks in between!), Garfield becomes plumper and funnier with every meal he devours, and every practical joke he performs. So whether he's nudging Odie off the coffee table or "doing" lunch with Jon's goldfish, Garfield is in it for the fun--and so are we!

Genres: Comics, Humor, Comic Strips, Graphic Novels, Animals, Childrens, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 1993

About the author

James Robert "Jim" Davis is an American cartoonist who created the popular comic strip Garfield. Other comics that he has worked on are Tumbleweeds, Gnorm Gnat, Slapstick, and a strip about Mr. Potato Head.

Jim Davis was born in Fairmount, Indiana, near Marion, where he grew up on a small farm with his father James William Davis, mother Anna Catherine (Carter) Davis, brother Dave, and 25 cats. Davis' childhood on a farm parallels the life of his cartoon character Garfield's owner, Jon Arbuckle, who was also raised on a farm with his parents and a brother, Doc Boy. Jon, too, is a cartoonist, and also celebrates his birthday on July 28. Davis attended Ball State University. While attending Ball State, he became a member of the Theta Xi fraternity. He earned the dubious honor of earning one of the lowest cumulative grade point averages in the history of the university, an honor incidentally shared with Late Show host David Letterman.

Davis as of 2007 resides in Muncie, Indiana, where he and his staff produce Garfield under his company, Paws, Inc., begun in 1981. He was married to Carolyn, a singer and elementary teacher whom he met while both were attending college, and has a son named James with her. However, the couple divorced, and Davis since 2000 has been married to Jill, Paws' senior vice president of licensing, who has worked there approximately 25 years.

Ironically, Davis did not own cats when he started Garfield because of Carolyn's allergies, but they owned a Labrador retriever named Molly. With Jill, the family has expanded to include children Ashley and Chris; three grandchildren, Chloe, Carly and Cody; cats, Spunky and Nermal; and a dog, Pooky.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reviewing well over twenty books featuring the famed Tubby Tabby, I've run out of things to say about them, especially the comic strip compilations such as this one. All I'll say is: If you currently enjoy reading the strip in the paper--or via some other medium--you should definitely check out the books to see the earlier years of the cartoon fat cat. You may be surprised at what you see, especially in the first few volumes.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember getting the Garfield books as Christmas and birthday presents as a child and laughing like crazy at the antics of this crazy cat and his friends.

Our girls have also discovered this lasagna-loving feline and I love that they enjoy reading these books, too.

I have to admit that the same jokes don't amuse me as much as they used to, but it's still a quick, humorous read.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just something about a Cat that I love!

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bueno, qué decir de los Garfields, uno de los compañeros de nuestra infancia (y adolescencia y parte de la vida adulta, recuerdo haberlos leído hasta bien después de acabada la carrera). Recuerdo haberme encontrado el primero en casa de un amigo y habérmelo devorado de una sentada, con 5-6 años, sin entender varios de los chistes pero disfrutando mucho de los más obvios. Hoy en día, en casa, a los ojos entrecerrados con mezcla de desprecio y aburrimiento los seguimos llamando ojos de Garfield:

Esta sensación de saber que siempre iba a encontrar unos cuantos graciosos la tuve durante las dos décadas posteriores en las que Garfield iba apareciendo periódicamente en mi vida. No es una obra culmen de la literatura, pero nos ha alegrado muchos momentos.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another hilarious book once again with Garfield, the fat, orange, self-absorbed cat. He tortures Jon, both works with and annoys Odie, and destroys things.

For example:
PANEL 1
Garfield (looking out the window with his arms crossed): Look at those people going to work.

PANEL 2
Garfield (same pose): There's a word for such noble, hardworking folks…

PANEL 3
Garfield (same pose): "Peasants."

- Echo (they/them) ⚧️

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely Garfield

Although this book doesn't have as many continuing stories as some of the recent ones did, I just can't help but love it! They actually aren't necessary, just a different element of Garfield fun.

[Winston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garfield is so funny!

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this one. I mean, anything with Garfield I adore!!

[Phyllis M. Wright]

HQGAGGQGAHAHAHAGAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garfield and Jon go to Irma's diner, stands in Jon's soup, goes on yet another diet, does a crazy magic trick involving Odie and a safe, and eats Jon's wallet.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Garfield Takes His Licks chronicles the life of America's favorite grouchy kitty, Garfield. This lasagna-loving cat only wants to sleep, eat, and cause problems for his owner, Jon, and the dog in the house, Odie. He thinks he is smarter than everyone else, but sometimes outthinks himself and ends up on the short end of the stick.

Jim Davis has created a funny cat that millions of newspaper readers love to read about every day. You don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy this comic strip. I don't like cats very much and I always enjoy reading a Garfield comic strip. Like most of the books, the humor is very dry and I don't find myself laughing out loud, but there are always five to ten strips in a book that may make me smile.

Overall, Garfield Takes His Licks is another entertaining book filled with Garfield comic strips that is worth reading. I'm not sure how Jim Davis continues to create a comic strip with only three main characters, but it is working. As I have said before, I would love to see some changes, like adding another character or making Odie also have thought bubbles, but he doesn't seem to be listening to me. Oh well, the book is still enjoyable, so pick up a copy to today.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny

This book is funny. I don't remember everything that happened. When I read this book it was with a lot of other Garfield books. I love these comic type books because they are easy to read, and quite funny. I think everyone should read these books. So read them now!

~Bookworm~

[Iggy Igwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garfield is fat.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Garfield. Book #24.

[Hanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya merasa... sebagian besar hidup saya... terangkum dalam kelakuan Garfield di buku ini. Eh, tidak. Mungkin di semua bukunya, saya hanya belum baca saja.

[Ratforcekids]

Garfield, that lasagna eating orange cat, is a classic comic character and is still a hit with kids today.

[Jarom Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Jacks · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this Garfield is once again hilarious destructive and is back to torturing his owner Jon the mailman and his pup sidekick odie.