Heathcliff is coming back.

[Fone Bone]

Yeah, well, nobody's asking for Citizen Kane, just an orange tabby with a round black nose, and a round head who makes trouble for everyone he knows, human, cat, or dog.* I'm not exactly sure what you were expecting from either version, Fone Bone...

No, what people are asking for is something like the original series. I'm pointing out the original series was utter crap to anyone who didn't grow up with it, and was able to view it objectively. It is not a sacrosanct property like Citizen Kane was.

Here's a controversial opinion: Neither was Ghostbusters. I didn't see the reboot because it didn't interest me much, but there were an awful lot of people in an uproar over supposedly ruining a movie where LITERALLY the best line was "This man has no d[redacted]." It amazes me the franchises people will stubbornly cling to.

 

[ToonReel]

While I remember Heathcliff being of standard 80s cartoon quality, it actually never stuck me that he was a Garfield alike back then. And I don't just the mean the 'Heathcliff came first' thing. Garfield was an acerbic and lazy cynic, he fit that deadpan half lidded look about him. Heathcliff seemed more like a goofy scoundrel, kinda what early Bugs Bunny was (kinda fitting Mel Blanc voiced him). Sure he was kinda a designated hero like Garfield who stole food and annoyed people by doing cat things, but he seemed a bit more on the mischievous while Garfield had that older target humour with a far more intentionally sarcastic and vindictive side.

Concerning that Heathcliff as a concept was bad at it was though, I'd say no. Scooby Doo's had loads of modern revamps and often the best received ones are those that refine it into a better product while still keeping thoroughly loyal to the aesthetics and cheesiness of the original show. I'm sure they could have done the same for Heathcliff, better animation and writing, and some subtle cosmetic tune ups but still mostly the same spirit.

It'd be interesting to see something closer in spirit to the original comic strip I admit.

 

[Mandouga]

I'd say the Ruby-Spears series was closer in spirit to the original comics. I mean Iggy actually looks like Iggy in that version. OTOH, DIC's series is also good in its own way, despite the different character designs.