Garfield Lard of the Jungle: His 52nd Book

Garfield #52

by Jim Davis

Wild Fun!

It’s a safari of fun when Garfield, the fat cat with the elephantine appetite, gets wild and crazy in this all-new collection of comics. Let the adventures begin!

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

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2011

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

[Ronyell]

Introduction:

I think that at this point, I will make it my goal to read all the “Garfield” graphic novels by Jim Davis, since I love “Garfield” so much and each graphic novel I have read of everyone’s favorite fat orange fur ball just continues to put a smile on my face! Now, I have read yet another “Garfield” graphic novel called “Garfield: Lard of the Jungle” and it was just as enjoyable as the other “Garfield” graphic novels I’ve read!

What is this story about?

This volume yet again continues the adventures of Garfield and his life with his owner Jon and canine companion Odie! This time, we get even more storylines dealing with Liz, Jon’s new girlfriend, Jon visiting his family on the farm and Garfield dealing with his age as his birthday comes up!

What I loved about this story:

Jim Davis’ writing: No matter how many “Garfield” graphic novels I have read over the years, I can never get tired of Jim Davis’ witty and hilarious writing! Jim Davis has continued to give us a comedic and witty series in his “Garfield” comics, especially whenever Garfield voices his snarky opinions about Jon’s life and Odie’s moronic antics as it makes the audience laugh at Garfield’s hilarious lifestyle. I also loved the addition of Liz as she is shown as not being another failure in Jon’s love life, but as a love interest who is able to put up with Jon’s dorkiness and is the voice of reason in many of the situations.

Jim Davis’ artwork: Jim Davis’ artwork is still hilarious to look at as all the characters has large and rounded eyes that makes them look extremely goofy and I loved the facial expressions on most of the characters, especially Garfield always looking so bored on each panel despite the zany antics going on during the stories.



Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Garfield: Lard of the Jungle” is a fantastic volume that features everyone’s favorite fat cat and shows that Garfield has still got it after all of these years!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Dirk Grobbelaar]

I've enjoyed Garfield since I was a kid in Primary School, and while this perhaps isn't quite as brilliant as some of the earlier stuff it's still pretty darn funny.

[Beatrice]

It was super funny. I like the part where John and Garfield look through his school year book.

[Helen (they or he)]

Normally, I don't care much about the language used in Garfield books because well, it's all rooted in a lot of fat jokes at Garfield and a lot of "Man-up!" jokes at Jon. That's just how it is. But it's a little bit overdone in this book, along with words like "sissy." (Like... C'mon. I read five Garfield books before this. You survived at least 5 book without those jokes. So why put it in? It's not a particularly funny panel either.) So I gave it 3 stars.

[Jack. S]

Last week I read Garfield Lard of the Jungle by Jim Davis. Though I can't use much background knowledge (since it's a comic) I can use some examples. Such as when Jon's (the owner)shoe goes missing with a button and a lace also gone the mouse that Garfield (the cat) is suppose to chase is using them as a crafted car. I really love this book because it's relaxing fun to read at any time and offers great humor. I mean who doesn't love to laugh? I recommend this story for anybody into any kind of humor.

[nadia]

Loved it

I wish they where free ..... paying this much sucks. But I love garfield.
I use to have almost all of his comics . Time to collect again.

[Abraham Ray]

good comic strip book!

[Bodie K.]

It is a very funny book that is loose-humored and quick witted but still a good way to improve your reading skills. Garfield does not change in the and is still a fun (and food) loving cat! Also for the first time Jon gets a normal girlfriend who can cook and beat him in mini golf. I would highly recommend this book.

[Jessica]

We read this while we were camping, and I enjoyed hearing my daughter laughing from the tent as she enjoyed reading it. Jon and Liz are still dating, which I love, and there are hilarious strips with Garfield and the mice.

[Kryštof]

Amazing. I don´t know how, but garfield is still really funny.

[Rachel Svendsen]

I love Garfield. I just do. I think he may be my spirit animal.

[Iyla Q]

like it

[Jennifer M]

I love Garfield! There's no reason to give this anything other than 5 stars😁.

[Elliot Murray]

this book is wild !

[Farhana Faruq]

Oh I've always been a huge Garfield fan - we have a similar sense of humor...clearly it doesn't get better than that.. *grin*

Page 31 is my favorite!

[Amyanne]

A little lackluster compared to earlier Garfield volumes, but just enjoyable and different enough to warrant 3 stars.

[Naomi Simon]

This book is laugh out loud. Garfield the fat cat is up to normal mischief and eating the pizza store.

[Deda]

It was good and very funny