Book Review: Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack, Volume 2

Jim Davis, Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack, Volume 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 2005. ISBN: 9780345464651.

 

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: humor, children and young adult

Format: omnibus edition, trade paperback

Source: Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library 

 

This volume contains the following books: 

 

• Garfield Weighs In: his Fourth Book.
• Garfield Takes the Cake: his Fifth Book.
• Garfield Eats his Heart Out: his Sixth Book.

The book features some very good early strips. Jon's roommate, Lyman, who disappears later in the series, is still here. At this time in the series, Garfield is starting to date Arlene the pink cat. 

 

I do enjoy the good humor in these early books. At this point in time, the author is trying out new ideas. Also Garfield is more cat-like. Over time, Davis has made Garfield much more anthropomorphic in personality and behavior. Overall, the strips in these three books feel like Davis is still developing his craft and putting in good work. While I do like his later volumes, these days you can tell he has a formula down, and at times it feels the comic is on cruise control. Not so with these early comics. 

 

Highlights in this volume include: Garfield mugs Girl Scouts for the cookies, Garfield fears the sludge monster after watching a horror movie, Garfield's history of dogs, Garfield meets his grandpa, and visiting Jon's parents at the farm. 

Overall, this is a fun and amusing book. It has a pretty good variety of jokes and humor. For libraries, these omnibus editions provide good value for graphic novel collections. 

4 out of 5 stars.