Garfield (2012) 1

While there is already a National Garfield Day, June 19, to celebrate the king of cats, there is another day we need to recognize him as the mascot of: National Lasagna Day.

The origins of the pasta’s day are murky, but it does exist. National Day Calendar has its own post. The site even offers ways to observe. The first being to bake a lasagna. The second, to visit a local Italian bistro for someone else’s recipe.

Oddly enough, the word lasagna originally referred to the pot in which the dish was prepared. As early as the 14^th-century, recipe books began to carry preparation methods for the pasta dish. Arguably the most famous spokesperson (?) for lasagna is Garfield.

Hence, our look at the comic book history of the fat cat.

Garfield went worldwide in 1978. Riding his coattails were – and still are – owner Jon Arbuckle and sidekick, dog Odie.

Though rarely mentioned, Garfield resides in Muncie, IN.

It only makes sense considering creator Jim Davis’ first published work appeared in the Pendleton Times of Pendleton, IN. National distribution began in 1977 when United Feature Syndicate accepted Davis’ proposal. Garfield was launched with a Sunday strip June 25, 1978.

Garfield went from strip to screen to comic book with Boom! Studios publishing the monthly Garfield comic book beginning in 2012. Mark Evanier, cartoon advisor for Garfield and Friends and The Garfield Show, handled scribing chores.

So, wash your paws, cuddle in with your favorite furry feline and chow on some lasagna with a colorful issue in hand.