* AccidentalInnuendo: A blatantly obvious one: BIG BOB CUM!
* AdaptationDisplacement: The AnimatedAdaptation is still in print and sold on the official Garfield website. The Boom comic is even available on digital marketplaces. The original book, on the other hand, barely gets so much as a ''mention'', meaning some people may only be able to experience the adaptation.
* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:
** It is entirely possible in "Primal Self" that "Tigger" was infected with rabies and driven mad.
** [[spoiler:Did "God" really buy Garfield's bluff about his lives, or did he just let him go back out of pity? Did he also believe Odie was a cat, or [[SecretTestOfCharacter did he reward Garfield for sticking up for him?]]]]
* AwardSnub: Despite being the most creative of all Garfield specials, it lost the Emmy to ''Babes And Bullets'' (which ironically was based on a segment of the book).
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
** As always, Lou Rawls' opening song for the special, this one done in a definite blues style.
** The music that plays during the escape sequence in "Lab Animal" sounds like something out of an action thriller from the 80's.
** The song that was composed in "Court Musician" has a jazz vibe to it, and even plays during the ending credits.
* HilariousInHindsight:
** ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' later used this concept to more complex levels. What really sells it is that each boss is a variant on "Odio," which is "hatred" in Spanish/Portuguese/Italian. Considering what ''happens'' in that game, Garfield is going to have to watch his back, [[TheDogBitesBack especially when he's nearby his favorite punching bag mutt]].
** "Primal Self" has Tigger [[DemonicPossession being possessed]] by malevolent, [[AnimalisticAbomination feline-like eldritch monstrosities]]. Quite prophetic of all those memes where Garfield is either Zalgofied or is an outright EldritchAbomination of his own.
** The book has many parallels to the web series WebVideo/LasagnaCat. Different segments with varying styles and genres? Check. Treating Creator/JimDavis as a godlike figure? Check. Having darker and more surreal elements than the comic strip? Check.
* NightmareFuel:
** "Lab Animal", particularly in the animated special, where it's filled with tense music and atmosphere (the PainfulTransformation sequence wherein the cat transforms into a dog is also rendered in more detail, albeit [[ShadowDiscretionShot the final moments are in shadow]]). Then there's the end with the mutated dog staring with cat's eyes, [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/d2d2068cd6cc4e330290cb47da65daf8/20e5b2975af80425-cb/s2048x3072/2e73f8f835bd345be02547708c9147fc42650370.jpg which in the book has an unnerving]] UncannyValley effect. Frazier Irving's [[https://www.midtowncomics.com/images/PRODUCT/XL/1429401_xl.jpg variant cover for the comic book adaptation]] is ''very'' unsettling, being a detailed rendering of a semi-realistic Garfield smiling and staring right at the reader with sinister intent. In just one image, it becomes very clear why [[UnintentionalUncannyValley cats not having recognizably human facial expressions is for the better]]. (the comic's actual art [[https://i.redd.it/yi2qhqasnjj61.jpg is no less frightening]])
** In "Primal Self" in the book, "Tigger" is corrupted by savage feline monstrosities that are shown to tempt him into touching paws with them. The story ends with the implication that "Tigger" [[https://www.reddit.com/r/imsorryjon/comments/a1fme5/the_officially_published_book_9_lives_of_garfield/ is going to violently murder his elderly owner,]] the last shot showing "Tigger" leaping at her from behind. And what is worse is that the story begins with a visual of Garfield being visibly frightened by this life, [[TraumaButton having clearly been traumatized]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone from his actions back then]] and cowering under the blanket while chillingly noting that there are elements of being a cat that are not to be toyed with!
** The book as a whole feels like some strange parody of Garfield rather than something from the actual series. Even the sections of the book that aren't intended to be scary, such as "In The Beginning" and "Babes and Bullets", give off a surreal and uneasy vibe that adds to the books odd nature. The book is also very similar in both style and tone to the infamous WebVideo/LasagnaCat.
** The fact that Garfield actually ''gets killed'' in his 9th life in the animated special[[note]]It's just a VR coin-op arcade game in the graphic novel[[/note]]. Again played for comedy, but completely jarring considering Garfield's efforts to prevent his execution by the enemy fleet. Even his dying words assume PlotArmor will save him... and then his ship is utterly vaporized.
* SugarWiki/SheReallyCanAct: Desirée Goyette gives a heart-wrenching performance in "Diana's Piano", especially during Sara's final performance and Diana's death afterwards.
* SignatureScene: The "Primal Self" segment is definitely the most well known and infamous part of the book, enough so for it to be referenced in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy''.
* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''WesternAnimation/TheNineLivesOfFritzTheCat''. Which is ''definitely'' [[WesternAnimation/FritzTheCat not for kids]].
* UnintentionalUncannyValley: Garfield's realistic designs in "Lab Animal", "Primal Self" and (to a lesser extent) "Babes and Bullets" look very unsettling when seen along side the other six, more cartoonish, designs on the cover (go to the main page to see). Most likely deliberate due to the dark tone of those stories.
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