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Pet Force is a series of books for young readers. It is a spin-off of Garfield, in which the main animal characters of the comic series are portrayed as comic book superheroes. The action takes place on planet Polyester.

20th Century Fox released an animated direct-to-video film based on the series, Garfield's Pet Force, in 2009.

Story

In another universe, one which exists parallel to Garfield's own, a team of five superheroes known as "Pet Force" serve Emperor Jon as protectors of his throne. Ruling the galaxy from the planet Polyester, Jon's reign is constantly opposed by the evil Vetvix. When Vetvix uses a new weapon and strips Pet Force of their powers, and sends them to a ghostly dimension where they will be trapped forever, Jon is forced to have his right-hand man, Sorcerer Binky, use a dimensional portal to find five alternate versions of the heroes to take their place. In Garfield's universe, Pet Force is a best-selling comic book, and when Nermal buys the limited-edition 100th issue, it becomes a portal through which they are pulled into the alternate universe, becoming the new Pet Force. Although they return to their own universe after the initial adventure, they subsequently return to fight Vetvix and other evils when needed.

Books

Book #1: The Outrageous Origin (1998)
Book #2: Pie-Rat's Revenge (1998)
Book #3: K-Niner: Dog of Doom (1998)
Book #4: Menace of the Mutanator (1998)
Book #5: Attack of the Lethal Lizards (1999)

The story was later continued within several Pet Force comic stories featured in the Boom! Studios Garfield comic books.

References

1. Davis, Jim, Pet Force 1: The Outrageous Origin, vol. 1, Scholastic

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 '''''Pet Force''''' is a series of books for young readers. It is a spin-off of ''[[Garfield]]'', in which the main animal characters of the comic series are portrayed as [[comic book]] [[superhero]]es. The action takes place on planet Polyester.
-[[20th Century Fox]] has released a computer-animated direct-to-video film ''[[Garfield's Pet Force]]'' based on the series.
+[[20th Century Fox]] released an animated [[direct-to-video]] film based on the series, ''[[Garfield's Pet Force]]'', in 2009.
 == Story ==
-In another [[universe]], one which exists parallel to Garfield's own, a team of five [[superheroes]] known as "Pet Force" serve Emperor [[Jon Arbuckle|Jon]] as protectors of his throne. Ruling the galaxy from the planet Polyester, Jon's reign is constantly opposed by the evil Vetvix. When Vetvix uses a new weapon and strips Pet Force of their powers, and sends them to a ghostly dimension where they will be trapped forever, Jon is forced to have his right-hand man, Sorcerer Binky, use a dimensional portal to find five alternate versions of the heroes to take their place. In Garfield's universe, ''Pet Force'' is a best-selling comic book, and when Nermal buys the limited-edition 100th issue, it becomes a portal through which they are pulled into the alternate universe, becoming the new Pet Force. Although they return to their own universe after the initial adventure, they subsequently return to fight Vetvix and other evils when needed.
+In another [[universe]], one which exists parallel to [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]]'s own, a team of five [[superheroes]] known as "Pet Force" serve Emperor [[Jon Arbuckle|Jon]] as protectors of his throne. Ruling the galaxy from the planet Polyester, Jon's reign is constantly opposed by the evil Vetvix. When Vetvix uses a new weapon and strips Pet Force of their powers, and sends them to a ghostly dimension where they will be trapped forever, Jon is forced to have his right-hand man, Sorcerer Binky, use a dimensional portal to find five alternate versions of the heroes to take their place. In Garfield's universe, ''Pet Force'' is a best-selling comic book, and when [[List of Garfield characters#Nermal|Nermal]] buys the limited-edition 100th issue, it becomes a portal through which they are pulled into the alternate universe, becoming the new Pet Force. Although they return to their own universe after the initial adventure, they subsequently return to fight Vetvix and other evils when needed.
 ==Books==
 *'''Book #1:''' The Outrageous Origin (1998)
-Four ordinary pets (Garfield, Odie, Arlene and Nermal) and one ordinary teddy bear (Pooky) are enjoying a typical afternoon eating hot dogs, trading insults and reading comics. Everything seems perfectly normal. Meanwhile, a nearby universe is threatened by an evil veterinarian named Vetvix, who wants to make all pets her slaves. Where can the forces of good turn for help? To those five furry, barbecue-eating, wisecracking crusaders, that's where! With the help of a little magic, Garfield and the gang are given superhero powers. They must use their powers along with their brains (well, at least they have their powers) to battle the forces of evil. Will the ability to hack a gamma-radiated hairball be enough to stop the villainous Vetvix?
 *'''Book #2:''' Pie-Rat's Revenge (1998)
-Sinister Space Pie-Rat has stolen Pet Force's spaceship, the ''Lightspeed Lasagna'', and is wreaking havoc across the universe. He must be stopped! But when Pet Force catches up to him, Pie-Rat has a few tricks up his rodent sleeve. With the help of a magic crystal, he puts Garzooka in an evil trance, and the two of them join forces and head off together on an intergalactic snack attack. Can the other members of Pet Force save their friend, their ship, and the rest of the universe without their fearless leader? Or will the depraved Garzooka be the one villain that Pet Force can't handle?
 *'''Book #3:''' K-Niner: Dog of Doom (1998)
-Pet Force's archenemy, Vetvix, is plotting to conquer the universe using her new secret weapon - K-Niner! Bursting with huge muscles, ferocious fangs, and a nasty temper, K-Niner is a Dog of Doom! Will Pet Force be able to crush K-Niner and Vetvix's wicked crusade? It will be a battle like none in this universe!
 *'''Book #4:''' Menace of the Mutanator (1998)
 *'''Book #5:''' Attack of the Lethal Lizards (1999)
 The story was later continued within several ''Pet Force'' comic stories featured in the [[Boom! Studios]] Garfield comic books.
-==Characters==
-The characters in Pet Force include characters from the original Garfield universe, as well as some entirely new characters.
-===Heroes===
-====Garzooka====
-Garzooka is the [[superhero]] version of [[Garfield]] and the leader of Pet Force. Garzooka's abilities are [[Gamma radiation|gamma-radiated]] hairballs, [[superhuman strength]], and razor-sharp claws in his right hand that can rend solid steel.   While the original Garzooka was heroic and a born leader, the Garzooka created from Garfield is lazy and gluttonous, though he still focuses on the task at hand.
-====Odious====
-Odious is the superhero version of [[Odie]] and the dumbest of the Pet Force. Odious, like his normal comic counterpart Odie, does not talk. He drools, licks, and barks, which is how he acts in the original Garfield comics. Odious' abilities are a "super-stretchy stun tongue" that causes a [[Coma|total mental meltdown]] in anyone he uses it against, super-slippery saliva, and superhuman strength.
-====Abnermal====
-Abnermal is the superhero version of [[Nermal]]. Unlike the rest of the team, Abnermal quickly takes to his superpowers and is overjoyed to be a hero. Abnermal's abilities include his Pester Power, the ability to create force fields, and a [[body temperature]] of [[absolute zero]] that allows him to freeze anything he touches and project ice blasts. In the movie and comic series, he is given super speed.
-====Starlena====
-Starlena is the superhero version of [[List of Garfield characters#Arlene|Arlene]]. Starlena's abilities are a siren song that puts anyone who hears it into a deep trance, to which only Garzooka, Odious and the Lethal Lizard member Snake are immune, and the ability to fly. In the movie, she is granted the power to freeze enemies with her eyes.
-====Compooky====
-Compooky, half [[teddy bear]], half [[robot]], is a superhero version of Garfield's teddy bear, Pooky. Despite being an inanimate teddy bear in Garfield's universe, in the alternate universe Compooky can speak and is furthermore highly intelligent. Having no real combat abilities, he normally stays on board their ship while the others deal with the crisis. He does not appear in the movie. He frequently makes small appearances in the comic series; likewise he is not a member of the team.
-===Villains===
-====Vetvix====
-A beautiful and powerful sorceress, Vetvix is the main [[villain]] of the Pet Force, an evil [[veterinarian]]. The source of her evil is a power crystal on her headband. Vetvix's main source of minions is an animal-splicing machine that allows her to mix and match parts from other animals and create [[Chimera (genetics)|new creatures]] that are entirely under her control. She is also highly skilled with [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]] and [[genetics]]. She is the opposite of [[List of Garfield characters#Dr. Liz Wilson|Dr. Liz]]. Emperor Jon might have strong feelings for her.
-====K-Niner====
-K-Niner is a [[Doberman Pinscher|Doberman]] with enhanced intelligence and superhuman strength, as well as a British accent and demeanor. Vetvix created a brain-booster that he then used to increase the intelligence of various other dogs, and gave those dogs mind-controlling collars to place on their owners and make them think they were dogs. Eventually, he was defeated by Pet Force and transformed back into a regular Doberman.
-====The Space Pie-Rat====
-A large rat with a monstrous appetite, he is Vetvix's main minion until he rebels against her and is defeated. He steals food from any planet he visits and wears a fake [[pegleg]] and an [[eyepatch]], despite having both eyes; he just likes the look. When he is successfully manipulated by Vetvix into repairing her power crystal for her, she punishes him for his betrayal by [[Teleportation|teleporting]] him into the core of an [[asteroid]].
-====The Mutanator====
-A monster created by Vetvix from the pieces of Pet Force minus Garzooka, the Mutanator possessed all the powers of the original four members, including Compooky's super-computer intelligence, Starlena's siren song, Odious' super-strength, and Abnermal's force fields and ice powers. Because of Garzooka's reluctance to injure his friends, the Mutanator was able to defeat him, but was later split apart and restored to the original members of Pet Force.
-====The Lethal Lizards====
-A trio of reptiles from the swamp planet of Reptilius, mutated by energy emitted from Vetvix's [[laboratory]] during her experiments with the Mutanator and K-Niner. They acquire superpowers and [[humanoid]] forms and, after learning of Vetvix's plans and Emperor Jon, decide to take over the universe themselves. The trio do not get along very well, often insulting each other with dry wit and sarcasm, and their arguments sometimes even escalate to physical violence. In the end, Pet Force defeats them, and they are carted off to prison. Their members consist of:
-* '''Dragon''': A ten-foot-tall [[Komodo dragon]], and the leader of the group, who also has a short temper and dislikes to give up any position of power among his gang or admit when he is wrong. He is noted by Garzooka as having superpowers similar to his own; he possesses superhuman strength, razor-sharp claws, and [[Fire breathing|the ability to breathe fire]]. Due to his mutation, he is also intelligent enough to figure out how to capably fly a [[spacecraft|spaceship]].
-* '''[[Chameleon]]''': A five-foot-tall chameleon who possesses potentially unlimited [[shapeshifting]] powers in addition to a long tongue similar to Odious's. In addition, his eyes can rotate independently of one another, allowing him to look in two directions at once.
-* '''[[Snake]]''': A fifteen-foot-long [[boa constrictor]]. Before his mutation, he was barely a foot long and had no [[fang]]s. He can squeeze his opponents with incredible force, open his mouth incredibly wide to swallow people whole, and his venom can kill a victim within a few minutes. Also, as he has no ears and is thus deaf, he is completely immune to the effects of Starlena's siren song.
-== Comic Series ==
-When the classic [[Garfield]] comic series came out, a number of Pet Force stories were published alongside them. In 2013, [[Boom! Studios]] released a Garfield's Pet Force Special edition, containing mostly stories from the comic series, along with the inclusion of 1 original story. Another new special edition was released in 2014, with another original story, this time having a [[Crisis on Infinite Earths]] storyline. Most of the old characters from the book series, such as Space Pie-Rat, K-Niner, and Dragon from the Lethal Lizards, were included, but also included were many new characters, including an alternate version of Pet Force. But the main new change were all the added villains:
-====Bullhorn====
-An overzealous, bungling, goofy [[bulldog]]. Not much is known about him, as he doesn't appear to have any special abilities. He was introduced in the 2014 special edition, and was transported to a clown world along with the rest of the Evil Eight.
-====Dark Poodle====
-A female [[poodle]] able to fly and mind meld with other creatures. She has powers similar to that of Starlena. She was introduced in the 2014 special edition, and was transported to a clown world along with the rest of the Evil Eight.
-====Thunderdog====
-A massive, muscular [[dog]] able to fly and supposedly 'summon the power of the heavens' with his enchanted [[chew bone]]. It is possible he is the canine equivalent of [[Thor]], the god of thunder. He was introduced in the 2014 special edition, and was transported to a clown world with the rest of the Evil Eight.
-====Spade====
-A dark, [[vigilante]]-like [[canine]] super-villain. According to him, his cape is a sentient life form that possesses an [[IQ]] of over 147. He was introduced in the 2014 special edition, and was transported to a clown world when the Evil Eight was defeated.
-====The Fearsome Four====
-This group of animal antagonists were created by Vetvix in her lab after her constant defeats at the hands of Pet Force. They were formed to create sort of an evil version of Pet Force. They were created when Ricky, Vetvix's former henchman, developed a series of stasis chambers for Vetvix's latest experiment. When the matching buttons on a special remote are pressed, each individual stasis chamber will rearrange matter and produce a specific super-villain. These four fighters became known as the Fearsome Four:
-*'''Apezilla''': A massive [[gorilla]] wearing a red jumpsuit with a giant letter A, with enough strength to rival that of Garzooka. However, due to his small intellect, his vocabulary is limited. He first appeared in [[Garfield]] Issue #9 with the rest of the Fearsome Four, and made a second appearance in [[Garfield]] Issue #20, where he and his team were banished to the moon by Pet Force.
-*'''Double Take''': A double-headed [[lizard]], wearing a half-orange, half-purple costume. His powers are kind of similar to Odious's, with him having double stun [tounges], one for each head. He first appeared in [[Garfield]] Issue #9 with the rest of the Fearsome Four, and made a second appearance in [[Garfield]] Issue #20, where he and his team were banished to the moon by Pet Force.
-*'''The Invisible Squirrel''': A female [[squirrel]] in a red, white, and blacked striped suit. She can generate invisible force fields, sort of like [[Marvel Studios]]'s [[Invisible Woman]]. She first appeared in [[Garfield]] Issue #9 with the rest of the Fearsome Four, and made a second appearance in [[Garfield]] Issue #20, where she and her team were banished to the moon by Pet Force.
-*'''Zero''': A [[koala]] with [[gauntlets]] on his arms and wearing a blue jumpsuit. His arm gauntlets blast ice at everything. His name is based on the term [[absolute zero]]. He first appeared in [[Garfield]] Issue #9 with the rest of the Fearsome Four, and made a second appearance in [[Garfield]] Issue #20, where he and his team were banished to the moon by Pet Force.
 == References ==