There are few comic books that are more iconic than Garfieldas the lazy orange cat has become a pop culture icon that is as influential today as it was upon its debut in the 1970s. Unlike other comics that offer humorous political or social commentary (such as Doonesbury or The Far Side), Garfield focuses only on universally relatable topics like eating and sleeping. That's how the franchise has remained timeless, and it's also why the Garfield comic book is totally hilarious.
Since you left, Garfield has completely transcended the realm of comic books to television series, animated films, and even live-action films. However, the franchise has never forgotten its comic book roots, as new strips are still produced to this day. And, from November 2024, the equivalent of a full month of Garfield comics just turned 40, and because of their timelessness, they're just as funny now as they were in the '80s. Here are 10 of the funniest Garfield comics from November 1984!
10
Garfield creates a hilarious name for a mouse
Garfield – November 1, 1984
One day, Garfield finds a mouse in his house, and instead of trying to eat it, Garfield simply asks what its name is. The mouse is intrigued by the question, admitting to Garfield that he doesn't think he even has a name. Then, believing that the mouse simply didn't understand the question, Garfield rephrases it: “What do people say when they meet you?“, as in what people call the mouse. To this, the mouse gave an immediate response:”My name is Eek!“.
This mouse misunderstood Garfield's question and now thinks his name is actually 'eek' – which actually isn't such a bad name for a mouse.
This is a funny play on the fact that most people will scream in fear at the sight of a rat, sometimes in the form of an 'eek' sound. This mouse misunderstood Garfield's question and now thinks his name is actually 'eek' – which actually isn't such a bad name for a mouse.
9
Garfield decides that “Eek” could have a better name: “Squeak”
Garfield – November 2, 1984
Garfield doesn't accept that this mouse has no name – and he certainly doesn't accept 'Eek' as a viable option. So the mouse wastes no time in inventing one for himself. However, Garfield also has some problems with each of the names the mouse thinks of, but for a completely different reason. Each name makes the mouse seem like a threat to cats, and although Garfield likes this mouse, he doesn't like him very much.
Garfield picks up this mouse like it's nothing, proving that the mouse is not a “Crusher”, “Bruiser” or “Cat Killer”, and instead comes up with a new name for the little rodent: “Squeak.” The mouse adopts the name immediately, partly because he needed one and partly because Garfield didn't seem to give him much of a choice.
8
Garfield makes sure his friend Squeak doesn't get kicked out by Jon
Garfield – November 3, 1984
After naming him, Garfield forms a connection with Squeak, and the usually hostile cat does something strangely kind — and totally brilliant. Garfield takes a wind-up key from one of his toys and ties it to Squeak's back, and when the mouse questions why, Jon walks over to the two. But instead of freaking out about the fact that there's a mouse in the house, Jon just comments on Garfield's “toy mouse” and leaves. Squeak then gives Garfield a big hug, thanking him for helping him stay.
This is a surprisingly touching comic, as Garfield effectively saves his new friend's life by figuring out a way to hide him from Jon. Garfield generally doesn't care about anyone but himself, but appears to have a soft spot for Squeak.
7
Garfield reveals the one meal the food-motivated cat refuses to eat
Garfield – November 5, 1984
Although it was brilliant, it seemed like the 'mouse toy' trick didn't work for long. Jon tells Garfield to eat the mouse, but Garfield has absolutely no interest in doing so. So when Garfield and Squeak see Jon coming, the two hide under Jon's bed. Squeak thanks Garfield for thinking of him, believing that the only reason Garfield doesn't want to eat him is because they are friends.
Garfield is extremely food motivated, but that's only with food he actually likes – mostly human food, like lasagna. Honestly, it's pretty shocking to see Garfield refuse any kind of meal, but it seems like he sets limits on the rats, and Squeak is certainly lucky for that.
6
Garfield gives Squeak his own house, but the mouse has notes
Garfield – November 8, 1984
Garfield decides that he's tired of pretending Squeak is a toy or hiding him under Jon's bed, and that it's time for Squeak to actually have his own place to live. Garfield brings the mouse a miniature wooden cabin the perfect size for Squeak to live in, and Garfield couldn't be prouder of this idea. Although kind, Squeak has a note about his new living situation, as he asks Garfield: “Are you in a good school system?“.
Asking if a house is in a good school system is common practice for homebuyers, but in Squeak's case, it's hilariously absurd. It's a fake log cabin inside a real house – clearly not in a 'good school system'!
5
Garfield is fed up with his own name (until he hears the alternative)
Garfield – November 12, 1984
As Garfield lies on the floor, no doubt trying to take a nap, Jon calls him by name. Garfield, clearly irritated by the interruption, thinks to himself, “'Garfield' this, 'Garfield' that. I'm fed up with my name“. As if Jon heard his lazy orange cat's complaints, he calls Garfield “Fleabag” while yelling at him once again to get over there. Upon hearing the alternative, Garfield decides that his original name isn't so bad after all.
Jon doesn't call Garfield 'Fleabag' just to be mean, but because Garfield actually has fleas.
What's funnier than Jon just giving Garfield an insulting name is the implication of that chosen name. Jon doesn't call Garfield 'Fleabag' just to be mean, but because Garfield actually has fleas – something Garfield will have to face in subsequent strips.
4
Garfield Has a Hilarious Downside to Using a Flea Collar
Garfield – November 14, 1984
Since the previous comic established that Garfield has fleas, Jon – being the responsible pet owner that he is – gives the cat a flea collar to get rid of the pesky insects. After putting the flea collar on Garfield, Jon reads the warning on the box. Fearing that it might be something dangerous to Garfield's health, Jon reads it out loud, only to discover that the disclaimer is completely absurd. Apparently the flea collar may repel fleas, but it attracts sharks.
Although this is totally ridiculous, the comic gives readers a hilarious payoff for this setup, showing a literal shark appearing out of nowhere behind Garfield. The disclaimer was apparently no joke, as sharks literally violate the laws of nature to get cats to wear these flea collars – they are what attracted to them.
3
Fleas are absolute nightmare fuel in the Garfield universe
Garfield – November 15, 1984
Perhaps because it bothered him, perhaps because he was tired of being inexplicably attacked by sharks in the living room, Garfield decides he has stopped using the flea collar. Garfield throws the collar in the trash and walks down the hallway of the house. But as soon as he turns a corner, Garfield is confronted by a monstrous flea, who notices that the cat is no longer wearing his protective collar and licks his lips in preparation to drink Garfield's blood.
Needless to say, Garfield ran back to the trash can to put the flea collar back on, and readers can't blame him. That giant flea is absolute nightmare fuel, and anyone who encountered that thing would certainly do the same thing Garfield did in this comic.
2
Garfield proves he's the antithesis of an ideal cat
Garfield – November 18, 1984
In this Garfield comics, Jon takes a moment to break the fourth wall and speak to the reader personally. He sits down and explains how great it is to be a cat owner and, by extension, how great cats are in general. Jon says cats are graceful, coordinated and calm – a pleasure to have at home. Jon even compares cats to dogs, saying that dogs are everything that cats are not. However, it appears – by this definition – that Garfield is not a cat (something Garfield hilariously addresses by barking in the background of the comic).
While Jon says all these things about cats, Garfield can be seen behind him doing the exact opposite.. Jon calls the cats graceful, Garfield fumbles when jumping. Jon calls the cats coordinates, Garfield falls flat on his face. Jon calms the cats, Garfield freaks out by the fireplace. This is why Garfield barked at the end, because it seems like he is the antithesis of a cat, making him a dog.
1
Garfield Confirms He's the King of 'Dad Jokes'
Garfield – November 17, 1984
Garfield is sitting in his chair, perhaps enjoying some television, when he turns to the reader and breaks the fourth wall. He does this not to convey an “important” message, as Jon did in the previous comic, but simply to tell a joke. The joke is about his 'uncle' who believed he was a dog, and the joke was: “He kept chasing himself in the trees” (since Garfield's uncle is clearly a cat).
This joke has the same level of embarrassing, clap-inducing humor that one might expect from his father, and Garfield literally breaks the fourth wall to deliver it to readers. In fact, Garfield is the king of dad jokes, and this comic confirms that, which is why it's one of the 10 funniest Garfield comics that just turned 40 years old.