A few years ago in an episode of The Simpsons, Homer Simpson went from the realm of traditional two-dimensional (2D) animation to a 3D world of computer-generated animation. In the process, they made fun of all the series that had gone from 2D to 3D just to jump on the computer animation bandwagon. Unfortunately for me, Garfield's Pet Force falls into the category of cartoons that should have stayed 2D.
2009 is now the 30th year of Garfield cartoons and associated animation, which is hard to believe. The Garfield syndicated comics have appeared in newspapers since about the time I was able to read. I have fond memories of Garfield, Jon Arbuckle, and Odie in the comics every day and in color on Sundays. Over the last few years, however, the comic has stopped being published in my local newspaper and I've lost touch with the traditional Garfield attitude.
In my mind he will forever be associated with food, sleep, and a general apathy towards anything requiring effort. "I hate Mondays" still resonates with me. And both Garfield and I share a love for good lasagna and great sleep.
However, it appears that Garfield is making a comeback. The Garfield Show is a new computer generated cartoon that has been in the works since 2008 and will begin airing on Cartoon Network sometime in 2009. This isn't his first trip to television, but it's been a while. Garfield and Friends ran from 1988 to 1994 and before that there were a number of cartoon specials. And in June 2009, Garfield's Pet Force was released to pave the way for the fat cat's return to TV.
The Pet Force protects planet Dorkon from the villains who would see it destroyed. The Pet Force consists of: Odious, a Super-Odie with a super stretchy tongue that can be used to stun his enemies; Abnermal, a Super-Nermal being with the ability to pester at super speeds; Starlena, a Super-Arlene with the ability to freeze enemies with a look; and Garzooka, a Super-Garfield and the leader of the Pet Force with super strength and radiated hairballs to stick to his enemies and generally gross them out.
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