Admittedly, I am a cat person. But, also, admittedly, I am not a fan of anything Garfield. Never read much of the comic strip, never saw the TV show, or the various movies. I have no clue as to WHY. Nor could I tell you WHY I found myself reading Boom’s Baby Garfield. One day—it was just there!
Grudgingly, it isn’t a bad series. Again, I would be less grudgingly if it WASN’T Garfield. But, I digress, as the late Peter David was fond of saying. Baby Garfield lands with a surprising amount of charm for a concept that could’ve easily leaned on nostalgia alone. Instead of recycling the classic Garfield beats, the first two issues reframe the character through a younger, softer lens that still carries the dry wit and self‑aware humor fans expect. The creative team leans into expressive body language and visual comedy, letting Baby Garfield’s oversized reactions and tiny‑cat bravado do most of the storytelling. It’s playful without being saccharine, and the tone hits that
sweet spot between kid‑friendly and wryly adult.
The art is the book’s biggest strength. The linework is clean and elastic, with a Saturday‑morning energy that makes every panel feel lively. Baby Garfield’s design is instantly marketable — big eyes, round shapes, and a face that can shift from smug to meltdown in a heartbeat. Backgrounds stay simple to keep the focus on character acting, and the color palette leans warm and inviting, giving the book a cozy, approachable feel. The visual pacing is sharp, especially in the slapstick sequences, which land with such clarity that the humor pops.
What’s most interesting is how the series uses its “baby” premise to explore Garfield’s personality from a different angle. The jokes aren’t just smaller versions of the classic strips; they’re built around curiosity, mischief, and the early formation of Garfield’s worldview. Issue #2 especially shows the creators settling into a rhythm, mixing quick gags with moments of genuine sweetness. It’s not reinventing the character, but it is refreshing him — and that’s more than most nostalgia‑driven books attempt.
As a launch, Baby Garfield is confident, cute, and surprisingly well‑crafted. It respects the legacy without being trapped by it, and it delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, expressive, and lightly chaotic take on one of comics’ most recognizable icons. If the series keeps this balance, it’ll be one of the more successful all‑ages revivals on the stands.
I think what I found appealing is that each issue is perfect for a bedtime story—for kids of all ages! I could see someone reading it to someone at night, and I think that was the thing that was most appealing (or endearing—despite it being about Garfield. While I love my “hot comics and creators”— more of this is needed for the comic industry to grow in new ways. The first three issues are out, and the last is scheduled for July 31st. Check it out: you might be unexpectedly surprised—despite it being about Garfield.
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