What The Internet Did To Garfield

Super Eyepatch Wolf・2 minutes read

Garfield, created by Jim Davis, has become a global phenomenon with a focus on the character's relatability and simplicity, inspiring unique fan creations online. The darker interpretations of Garfield, particularly centered around John Arbuckle's pathetic nature, have led to a wide array of horror-themed illustrations and animations, showcasing a darker side to the beloved comic.

Insights

  • The internet fandom surrounding Garfield has led to the creation of bizarre and unique fan works, such as a subreddit reposting the same comic repeatedly and an animated series depicting a dark alternate reality with Garfield, showcasing the character's enduring appeal and adaptability.
  • Garfield's creator, Jim Davis, originally intended the character of John Arbuckle to express his frustrations with the comic strip industry, leading to a transition from comics focused on John to the iconic Garfield strip. This evolution sheds light on the complex relationship between creator and creation, hinting at deeper personal connections within the comic's narrative.

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Recent questions

  • What is the origin of Garfield comics?

    Garfield comics originated from Jim Davis's childhood memories.

  • How did Garfield's internet fandom evolve?

    Garfield's internet fandom evolved with unique fan creations.

  • What is the significance of the Lasagna Cat videos?

    The Lasagna Cat videos offer a unique take on Garfield memes.

  • Who is John Arbuckle in the Garfield comics?

    John Arbuckle is portrayed as a lonely and pathetic character.

  • How did Garfield's merchandising success impact its creator?

    Garfield's merchandising success led to a team of creators working on the character.

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Summary

00:00

Garfield: From Comics to Internet Phenomenon

  • Garfield is a daily comic strip featuring an orange cat and his owner, John Arbuckle, created by Jim Davis based on childhood memories.
  • Garfield has become a global phenomenon with yearly merchandising sales estimated at a high figure.
  • The internet fandom surrounding Garfield is described as bizarre, with unique and unusual fan creations.
  • Examples include a subreddit reposting the same comic repeatedly and an animated series depicting a dark alternate reality with Garfield.
  • The appeal of Garfield is analyzed, focusing on the character's relatability and aspirational qualities.
  • Garfield's visual design and comic structure are highlighted for their simplicity and memeability.
  • The existence of the subreddit "r/imsorryjon" is discussed, showcasing a unique and somewhat poetic connection to Garfield comics.
  • The darker and stranger aspects of Garfield's internet presence are explored, including a series of strange videos on YouTube.
  • The Lasagna Cat videos from 2008 are detailed, showing a unique and ahead-of-its-time approach to Garfield memes.
  • The return of Lasagna Cat in 2017 after nine years of silence is described, with new videos taking a different and more introspective approach to Garfield content.

18:35

Evolution of Lasagna Cat Videos and Garfield Comics

  • Lasagna Cat videos evolved from simple skits to high-production short films based on Garfield comics, with bizarre and surreal storylines.
  • The final video, "Sex Survey Results," features repetitive scenes of characters revealing their number of sexual partners, leading to a shocking and infamous conclusion.
  • The video's repetitive nature aims to desensitize viewers to sensitive information, reflecting on the loss of meaning through repetition.
  • The climax of "Sex Survey Results" showcases a disturbing and surreal sequence involving John Arbuckle and a series of unsettling events.
  • A deep dive into Garfield comics reveals 11 types of jokes, with data collected and analyzed to understand the essence of the comic.
  • Extensive research on Garfield comics leads to a shocking revelation about the most common type of joke, centered around John Arbuckle's pathetic nature.
  • John Arbuckle is portrayed as a lonely, pathetic character in Garfield comics, with no admirable qualities across nearly 1,000 strips.
  • The perspective of John Arbuckle in the comic is explored, highlighting the stark difference between the reality experienced by him and the audience.
  • Fan works like "Garfield Minus Garfield" and animations delve into the darker, more morbid aspects of John Arbuckle's character, revealing a fractured reality.
  • The original intent behind John Arbuckle's character is contrasted with the darker interpretations that emerged in fan works, shedding light on the unsettling nature of the comic's protagonist.

38:12

"Garfield's Rise from 'John' to Phenomenon"

  • The creation of Garfield stemmed from the failure of Norm Nat, inspired by dog-centric comics like Peanuts and Marmaduke.
  • Garfield's creation overlooks the existence of Heathcliff, an orange cat predating Garfield by five years.
  • Between 1975 and 1978, a comic titled "John" was discovered, closely resembling Garfield, with the main character being John Arbuckle.
  • John Arbuckle was initially a reflection of Jim Davis, expressing his frustrations with the comic strip industry.
  • Initially, John's comics focused on observational humor from a single man's perspective, with less emphasis on Garfield.
  • Over time, the focus shifted to Garfield, leading to the transition from "John" to "Garfield" in 1977.
  • Jim Davis rarely discusses "John," hinting at a possible personal connection to the character's failure.
  • Garfield's immense success led to a team of creators working on the character, surpassing Jim Davis's sole creation.
  • Garfield's merchandising success has reached an estimated $800 million to $1 billion annually, with a vast array of products.
  • The "Garfield Phenomenon" describes the omnipresence of Garfield in various aspects of daily life, symbolizing his enduring popularity.

57:18

Garfield horror art sparks online fascination

  • A series of grotesque illustrations featuring Garfield as a monstrous entity became wildly popular online.
  • The images depicted Garfield in horrifying forms, capturing the hopelessness of Jon Arbuckle's character.
  • The illustrations showcased Garfield as a nightmarish centipede-like creature, instilling fear and horror.
  • Different artists reimagined these illustrations, adding new dimensions through animations and survival horror games.
  • The concept of Garfield horror evolved, with artists introducing Lovecraftian and cosmic elements to the character.
  • The subreddit r/imsorryjohn was created, dedicated to this new version of Garfield as a horrifying being.
  • Nearly one in five Garfield jokes center around Garfield causing mental anguish to Jon.
  • The horror of Garfield is rooted in being trapped with an awful and inescapable entity, evolving in different forms.
  • Different types of Garfield horror include physical, psychological, and existential terrors, each exploring unique aspects of the character.
  • The artwork "The Forgiveness of John" symbolizes John Arbuckle overcoming the torment of Garfield, offering a hopeful conclusion to the narrative.

01:17:48

Gratitude to Lumpy Touch for Thumbnail

  • The speaker expresses gratitude to artist Lumpy Touch for creating the video thumbnail, recommends checking out their YouTube channel and following them on Twitter, acknowledges Quentin Reviews and Izzy for their contributions, invites support on Patreon, and signs off with a list of names and social media handles for further engagement.
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