The Cat Days of Summer: BOOM! Studios Delivers Double the Fun in Baby Garfield #3

Move over, dog days of summer! It’s officially time for the cat days of summer, and everyone’s favorite orange, lasagna-loving feline is back in his most adorable form yet. Whether you are a lifelong fan looking to recapture that classic Saturday morning nostalgia or a parent introducing a new generation to Jim Davis’s iconic universe, Baby Garfield #3 (of 4) from BOOM! Studios and Nickelodeon is an absolute ray of sunshine.

Hitting comic shop shelves this June 2026, this 32-page all-ages anthology features two wonderfully lighthearted, summer-themed adventures. With a perfect balance of beachside snacks and slightly spooky thunderstorm mysteries, this issue highlights exactly why original, creator-driven humor comics are thriving today.

Story One: “Baby Garfield’s First Beach Day”

The issue kicks off with a sun-soaked trip to the shore in a story written by Jordan Morris (Youth Group) with delightfully charming artwork by Thien Pham (Family Style).

The narrative finds Jon Arbuckle desperately needing a day of relaxation after being swamped with work. Hoping to peel Baby Garfield away from his favorite dessert-themed television show, I Suspect This Isn’t Cake!, Jon packs up the car and debuts his brand-new, pun-filled “Check Out My Mussels” tank top. Garfield, however, is completely unimpressed by the crowded beach, the sizzling hot sand, and Jon’s healthy snack choice of protein-packed unsalted almonds and sugar-free seltzer.

A High-Stakes Mission for Cheese

The real adventure begins when a delicious aroma wafts across the sand: synthetic nacho cheese! Spotting a snack shack a “zillion miles away,” Baby Garfield launches into a tactical mission to secure the ultimate beach bite.

In a hilarious display of feline ingenuity, Garfield steals Jon’s sugar-free cucumber-and-clove ice pops to use as makeshift sandals, protecting his delicate and adorable toe beans from the burning sand. After a chaotic sprint that involves dodging volleyball nets and hitching a ride via an accidental fling from a beachgoer, Garfield achieves absolute beach perfection—landing face-first into a giant tray of nachos extra-loaded with melted cheese and jalapeños. Pham’s kinetic, expressive cartoon style captures the sheer joy of the snack shack victory perfectly.

Story Two: “Baby Garfield’s First Thunderstorm”

The second half of the anthology shifts from sandy shores to summer showers, courtesy of fan-favorite writer Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) and dynamic artist Jay Fosgitt (My Little Pony).

The story opens on a cozy, rainy evening as Jon sets up a classic creature feature for Baby Garfield and Baby Odie. Jon promises to turn off the movie if it gets too scary, but the film’s terrifying premise—a helpless victim abducted by a “vegan zombie” who forces them to eat artichoke hearts—proves to be a bit much for Jon himself. When a massive clap of thunder shakes the house and knocks out the power, Jon heads to the dark basement to retrieve a flashlight and some camping gear.

The Great Basement Rescue Expedition

When Jon fails to return immediately, a popcorn-covered Garfield and a trembling Odie assume the worst: Jon has been officially cat-napped by the movie monster! Donning a blanket as a heroic cape, Baby Garfield teams up with Odie on a flashlight-lit rescue mission through the dark house.

The investigative duo tracks the monster’s trail through a raided refrigerator, mourning the tragic loss of the very last jar of Jon’s mom’s homemade berry jelly. Summoning all their courage, they face the ultimate test: entering the creepy basement. Cook’s sharp comedic timing shines when the “monster” is revealed to be a clumsy Jon, who simply tripped over an open drawer, hit his shin, and fell down the basement stairs a few times. Fosgitt’s wonderfully animated, bold line work highlights the adorable bravery of the pets as Jon rewards his “brave boys” with a cozy living room lantern picnic.

The Ultimate Collector’s Variant Lineup

BOOM! Studios has assembled a spectacular array of premium cover options for this issue, giving collectors and aesthetic enthusiasts plenty of reasons to check out the variant shelves this week:

• Baby Garfield #3 A Main (Dressed, Garbowska): The primary retail cover by Agnes Garbowska with colors by Sil Brys, featuring an incredibly cute scene of Baby Garfield and Odie catching rays in oversized sunglasses on a blue-and-white beach towel.
• Baby Garfield #3 B Variant (Dressed, Zullo-Uminga): A stunning open-order alternative cover option illustrated by Chrissie Zullo-Uminga, showcasing Jon carrying Baby Garfield down the shoreline in a futuristic cat backpack.
• Baby Garfield #3 C 1-5 INCV (Full Art, Zullo-Uminga): A limited, textless virgin incentive cover featuring the clean, un-logoed linework and soft seaside palette of Chrissie Zullo-Uminga’s artwork.
• Baby Garfield #3 D 1-10 INCV (Full Art, Cook): A highly prized, rare textless incentive variant drawn by writer Katie Cook, presenting a hilarious pulp-homage scene of an adventurous Baby Garfield escaping a massive, rolling meatball giant amidst a sea of spaghetti.
• Baby Garfield #3 E Unlimited Variant (Full Art, Garbowska): A beautiful, stylized unlimited variant highlighting Agnes Garbowska’s main towel composition rendered in a striking, monochromatic orange-and-white pop-art design.

To see how this critical milestone measures up against other premier all-ages releases and physical drops landing at your local shop this week, make sure to read our comprehensive New Comics master hub to keep your pull list ahead of the curve.

Final Verdict: A Sunny, Feel-Good Smash Hit

Review Score: 9.5/10

Baby Garfield #3 is an absolute triumph of lighthearted visual storytelling. The entire production team, under the excellent leadership of editor Lily Kessinger and editor-in-chief Andy Schmidt, has crafted a comic that honors the timeless charm of Jim Davis’s original creations while injecting a vibrant, modern energy. With Taylor Esposito’s clean lettering keeping the gags moving at a lightning pace, it is a flawless feel-good read. Secure your preferred variant covers at your local comic shop this week for $4.99 before the miniseries wraps up next month!

📢 Join the Conversation Which of the two adorable adventures stole your heart this week? Did you love Garfield’s ingenious ice-pop sandals, or did his fearless basement rescue mission win you over? Let us know your thoughts and your favorite variant cover choices in the comments section below!

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