Who's Who in Garfield's World? Quiz

Answer: cat

The "Garfield" comic strip, created by cartoonist Jim Davis, debuted on 19 June 1978 and quickly became one of the most popular and enduring comic strips in the world. It centres on the title character Garfield, a cynical, lasagne-loving cat, and his interactions with his owner Jon Arbuckle, the lovable but somewhat clueless dog Odie, and a cast of supporting characters.

The Garfield strip has maintained a loyal following for decades, appearing in over 2,600 newspapers worldwide and translated into several languages. Its popularity has led to numerous adaptations, including animated TV shows, movies, merchandise and even a Broadway musical.

Garfield is a large, orange tabby cat known for his distinctive round shape and a face that often wears a mischievous grin. As the star of the comic strip, he embodies the traits of laziness and a love of food, especially lasagna. Garfield is notorious for his disdain of Mondays, often expressing his irritation through witty commentary. He has a sharp wit and a sardonic sense of humour, often mocking his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and other characters.

Answer: human

Jon Arbuckle is Garfield's owner and the main human character in the series. He is portrayed as a slightly nerdy cartoonist with a distinctive appearance, characterised by his thick glasses, tall and lanky build, and a penchant for wearing plaid shirts. Jon is known for his kind-hearted nature and genuine affection for Garfield and Odie, despite often being the butt of their jokes.

His character embodies the archetype of the well-meaning but somewhat oblivious pet owner, who often finds himself in humorous situations due to his cats' antics. Jon has an optimistic outlook and often strives to maintain a positive attitude, even when things go wrong.

Answer: dog

Odie is Jon's lovable and goofy dog, recognisable by his long ears, big eyes and perpetually happy expression. He is known for his loyal and playful nature, often jumping around with energy. His silly behaviour often leads to hilarious moments, and he often engages in friendly competitions with Garfield.

The polar opposite of Garfield's sarcastic and self-centred personality, Odie's cheerful and unassuming nature makes him a natural target for Garfield's many pranks. However, his obliviousness and naivety - traits often played for humour - give Odie a charm all his own. Although Garfield teases him relentlessly, there's an underlying affection between them that makes them a classic comic duo.

Answer: cat

Nermal is a small, grey kitten who often boasts about his cuteness, much to Garfield's annoyance. He has a youthful innocence and a cheerful personality, often getting into playful mischief. Nermal is known for his catchphrase, "I'm the cutest kitten in the world!", which he uses to provoke Garfield, leading to humorous exchanges between the two.

Answer: human

Liz Wilson is Jon's love interest, who later - after numerous dates - becomes his girlfriend. She is a veterinarian and often has to deal with the chaos that Garfield and Odie create. She is portrayed as intelligent, compassionate and occasionally frustrated by Jon's geekiness. Liz's interactions with Garfield show her ability to handle the cat's attitude while still caring for him.

She brings a level of maturity to the group and is often the voice of reason.

Answer: human

Doc Boy is Jon's younger brother, characterised by his country boy demeanour and laid-back attitude. He often appears in strips about family and farm life, providing a contrast to Jon's city life. Doc Boy's humorous outlook and easygoing personality make him a fun addition to the cast, and he often engages in playful banter with Jon.

Answer: bear

Pooky is Garfield's beloved teddy bear, a symbol of comfort and companionship for the cat. Garfield often talks to Pooky and treats him as a confidant and friend. Pooky is a symbol of Garfield's softer side, illustrating that underneath his gruff exterior is a sentimental and caring nature.

Answer: human

Lyman is an important yet mysterious character in the "Garfield" universe. Originally introduced as Jon Arbuckle's high school friend and roommate, Lyman arrived with only a suitcase and his dog Odie. He quickly became a major character alongside Jon, Garfield and Odie in the strip's early years, helping to flesh out Jon's social circle and providing an additional foil for Garfield's antics. Unfortunately for Garfield, Lyman's arrival also brought Odie into the household, sparking Garfield's ongoing love-hate relationship with the friendly dog.

After a few years, however, Lyman's role was gradually reduced. His last regular appearance was in 1983, as Jon's conversations and relationship with Garfield and Odie made Lyman somewhat redundant.

Answer: cat

Arlene is a pink cat and Garfield's love interest. She is characterised by her sharp wit and playful banter with Garfield. Arlene often teases Garfield, but is also shown to genuinely care for him. Her interactions with Garfield reveal a different side of his personality, showing moments of charm and affection.

Answer: cat

Sonja is a female cat who sometimes interacts with Garfield. Her personality is friendly and flirtatious, and she often finds herself in humorous situations with the other characters. Sonja's presence adds to the dynamic of Garfield's relationships, especially his romantic life.

Answer: mouse

Squeak is one of Garfield's most loyal and clever friends in the Garfield comic strip, part of a group of mice who have made themselves at home in Jon's house. Unlike the typical cat-and-mouse rivalry, Garfield and Squeak share a genuine friendship, with Garfield even giving Squeak his name. This unusual bond is a testament to Garfield's unique personality - he values comfort and companionship over traditional feline roles, and is happy to bend the rules so that Squeak and his fellow mice can thrive under Jon's roof.

In their friendship, Squeak and Garfield often team up to help each other out of various predicaments. Garfield often protects Squeak and the other mice from being discovered or chased away by Jon, and in return, Squeak and his mouse friends become loyal allies in Garfield's many schemes, whether it's raiding the pantry or creating distractions to further Garfield's nap schedule.

Answer: dog

Big Bob is a character in "Garfield: His 9 Lives", a special that explores Garfield's various incarnations throughout history. In this prehistoric tale, Big Bob serves as Odie's Stone Age ancestor. Much like Odie, Big Bob is enthusiastic, loyal and a bit goofy - a fitting companion for Cave Cat Garfield, the Stone Age ancestor of our familiar lasagna-loving feline.