Who Illustrated 'Garfield And The Wicked Wizard'?

'Garfield and the Wicked Wizard' is one of those spin-offs that feels like a hidden gem. The illustration style is unmistakably rooted in Jim Davis' original creation, but with a twist—more dynamic shadows and a slightly darker palette to match the wizard-themed plot. That’s because the artist isn’ Jim himself but someone who deeply understands his work: Gary Barker. Barker’s work on this book is fantastic; he manages to keep Garfield’s iconic laziness and Odie’s dopey charm while adding this eerie, almost storybook quality to the wizard’s scenes. The way he draws the magical effects—sparks that look like they’re flickering off the page, or the wizard’s cloak swirling like living smoke—gives the whole thing a cinematic feel.

What’s cool is how Barker balances humor with atmosphere. Even when Garfield’s stuffing his face with lasagna mid-spell, the background might be this detailed, candlelit dungeon with cobwebs in the corners. It’s clear Barker studied Davis’ original panels because the characters never lose their essence, but he isn’t afraid to experiment. The wizard’s design, for example, is all pointy hats and exaggerated wrinkles, like a caricature of a classic fairy-tale villain. And the action scenes? Pure gold. When Garfield gets turned into a frog, the splash page is this chaotic mix of panicked hopping and comic timing. Barker’s style feels like a love letter to the franchise, blending nostalgia with just enough freshness to keep it exciting. If you’re into comic art, this one’s worth flipping through just for the visuals.