In Dog Years I'd Be Dead: Garfield at 25 (Hardcover)

~ Mark Acey (Author), Scott Nickel (Author), (Illustrator), Lynn Johnston (Afterword), Dave Barry (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Experience twenty-five years of the furry phenomenon known as Garfield with this fun, in-depth, and lavishly illustrated book.

Jim Davis’s grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis, was a big, cantankerous, outspoken man. Garfield is a big, cantankerous, outspoken cat. Coincidence? Of course not. The cartoon affectionately modeled on his grandfather has propelled creator Jim Davis—and Garfield—into the realm of comic superstardom. In this book, you’ll get a unique look back at the humble beginnings and enormous success of America’s favorite feline.

In Dog Years I’d Be Dead takes a comprehensive look at everything Garfield— the comics, the television shows, the zillions of products (who on the planet hasn’t seen the grinning plush doll suction-cupped to a car window?), and, of course, the fans. You’ll get the inside scoop about the pioneering comic-strip books that set the standard for the industry with a shape now called the “Garfield format.” You’ll venture into the studio where the voice talent recorded TV shows, and hear about the antics of special guest stars like Jonathan Winters and Buddy Hackett. Loaded with never-before-seen archival gems from Jim Davis’s personal collection and tribute cartoons from legends like Beetle Bailey’s Mort Walker, Blondie’s Dean Young, and The Family Circus’s Bill Keane, this is a book to treasure.

From the Inside Flap

Experience twenty-five years of the furry phenomenon known as Garfield with this fun, in-depth, and lavishly illustrated book.

Jim Davis?s grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis, was a big, cantankerous, outspoken man. Garfield is a big, cantankerous, outspoken cat. Coincidence? Of course not. The cartoon affectionately modeled on his grandfather has propelled creator Jim Davis?and Garfield?into the realm of comic superstardom. In this book, you?ll get a unique look back at the humble beginnings and enormous success of America?s favorite feline.

In Dog Years I?d Be Dead takes a comprehensive look at everything Garfield? the comics, the television shows, the zillions of products (who on the planet hasn?t seen the grinning plush doll suction-cupped to a car window?), and, of course, the fans. You?ll get the inside scoop about the pioneering comic-strip books that set the standard for the industry with a shape now called the ?Garfield format.? You?ll venture into the studio where the voice talent recorded TV shows, and hear about the antics of special guest stars like Jonathan Winters and Buddy Hackett. Loaded with never-before-seen archival gems from Jim Davis?s personal collection and tribute cartoons from legends like Beetle Bailey?s Mort Walker, Blondie?s Dean Young, and The Family Circus?s Bill Keane, this is a book to treasure.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345455304
• ISBN-13: 978-0345455307
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #931,642 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Garfield... Still Kickin!, December 28, 2002

By	Geno - See all my reviews

This is a great book. I love Garfield, and I am huge fan. This book is great because you get to see Garfield cartoons from his early years to now. It's fun seeing how his (as well as the other characters) have transformed in image... but not in attitude! I never knew how popular Garfield was around the world. You learn a lot of history about Garfield from this book, and it's all very interesting and fun to learn about. Garfield will always be hilarious, I think he's even better thean Snoopy! It has a great little section with funny Garfield items from A to Z. I loved it because I have the massager. This is a great book for all Garfield fans! You'll love it! I hope Garfield makes it another 25 exciting years! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious history of Garfield, January 5, 2005

By	Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

If there is one thing from my childhood that has remained a part of my life as an adult, it is my love for that fat, orange, cranky tabby cat named Garfield. I recently received "In Dog Years I'd Be Dead: Garfield at 25" as a present. It is a coffee table book that looks back at the history of the fat, orange tabby. This book is an extremely comprehensive look at everything Garfield. It goes into details about everything from commercial ads to the classic cartoon series "Garfield and Friends". As a diehard Garfield fan and an artist, I appreciated seeing the earlier, rough sketches of Garfield strips. This book may be a couple of years old but it certainly covers pretty much everything that the fat cat has given to the public. I especially loved seeing some of the more sillier photos of Jim Davis and Garfield. Another favorite moment is the section with all the counterfeit Garfield products. For some reason, I find something fascinating about something as ugly as those counterfeit products. "In Dog Years I'd Be Dead..." is the ideal coffee table book for diehard Garfield fans. Great intro by columnist Dave Barry.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, December 4, 2002

By	Step (Kowloon Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

It's great!!! A must-buy for all Garfield fans! After reading the book I got to know much more about what's behind the production of Garfield and other background info.
Happy Birthday to Garfield!