When talking aboutThe Far Side’s lasting legacy, one word that often comes up is “dark”. It can’t be denied thatGary Larson’s beloved work is full of dark momentsthat are intended to shock readers. However, gruesome twists aren’t all that can be found within his cartoons, and it can be argued that some of the bestFar Sidejokes are more traditionally silly.
The Far Sidecan be bleak when it wants to be, but the comics included in this list serve as definitive proof that Gary Larson has mastered more than one approach to comedy.
The Far Sidecan be bleak when it wants to be, but the comics included in this list serve as definitive proof that Gary Larson has mastered more than one approach to comedy. The"What-the?" reflexat the heart of Larson’s work doesn’t need to be achieved through underlying themes of violence or characters alluding to such unnerving themes. Sometimes, a lighthearted punchline is the better way to go. Now, here are the 10 funniestFar Sidecomics that lean into more innocent jokes for a change.
10King Arthur’s Knights Discuss Serious Matters
First Published: July 8th, 1980
This first comic directly combats heavier material with a lighter take that still manages to be just as - if not more - funny. King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table have convened for a discussion of some kind, and from the picture, one might assume that they’re preparing for a perilous battle. The caption derails that theory, though, as Arthur offers a stern reminder for his allies:“No more stickin' your gum under the table.”
It would have been easy to find a dark joke to tell with this cast of characters, yet Gary Larson makes the inspired choice to lean into lighthearted absurdity. King Arthur and his knights had plenty of fights to attend to, but the issue of the gum is evidently their most pressing dilemma.
9Dogs Have Less On Their Minds Than You Think
First Published: March 25th, 1992
Gary Larson hasgiven dogs a dangerous twistin some comics, but more often than not, these canine companions are at their most effective in a strip when they’re bringing smiles to readers' faces. These dogs are no exception, as a scientist designs a device to understand the animals' speech and foster communication. As is expected fromThe Far Side, this plan doesn’t play out as anticipated, asthe dogs' barks simply translate to them greeting each other - over and over.
10 Funny Far Side Comics That Prove Dogs Are Man’s Best Friends
The Far Side hilariously tests the relationship between dogs and their owners, conveying the strength of their bond despite many ups and downs.
Dogs turning against their owners can certainly be fun to read. With that being said, there’s also humor to be found in dogs' thoughts being limited to enthusiastic greetings. Sometimes, even inThe Far Side, innocence can be more effective than violence.
8The Far Side Takes Nursery Rhymes Literally
First Published: November 30th, 1987
Nursery rhymesare a childish concept by design, and Gary Larson uses that to his advantage to compose a comic that thrives on being unabashedly zany rather than veering into grim territory. A woman recites the familiar rhyme of"knick knack, paddy whack, give your dog a bone", then waits patiently. Moments later,an old man comes rolling home, finishing out the line in the original rhyme in a very literal fashion.
Many modern stories that implement nursery rhymes concern themselves with subverting the source material to render them needlessly dark for shock value. Larson, on the other hand, decides to present what a child might imagine from the rhyme. From that idea comes this lighthearted cartoon that readers of any age can love.
7Even Cowboys Don’t Mess With the Teapot Kid
First Published: October 2nd, 1992
Gary Larson’s fascination with the Old Westmeans that it’s a recurring setting throughoutThe Far Side’s run, though this cartoon is a strong contender for the goofiest comic to fall under that category. Hardened cowboys gather in a saloon, all of whom have seen their share of criminals during their travels, but there’s one man they know not to get on the bad side of.That cowboy is Teapot Kid, named for his immature performance of the teapot song and dance.
Whilecowboys tend to engage in duelsand other forms of violent activity within The Far Side, this particular bunch is clearly not meant to be as dark or serious. They simply stand by and watch Teapot Kid’s wacky show without messing with him.
6Clowns Get Self-Conscious Too, Believe It or Not
First Published: March 15th, 1985
Clowns are known for having cheery smiles on their faces at all times, but this clown is surprisingly grim. The caption in this comic explains that"Brian wondered if the other guys really listened to his ideas or regarded him only as comic relief.“It doesn’t take much inspection to deduce that Brian is the clown in the picture, side-eyeing the normal men as they all ride together in a car.
10 Far Side Comics That Prove Clowns Are the Things of Nightmares
These Far Side comics depict clowns in the most frightening ways possible as Gary Larson reminds readers that they aren’t as silly as they may appear.
The image of a clown riding in a car and worrying that he’s viewed as a joke is unreasonably funny, and the look on Brian’s face alone can earn a laugh from just about anyone. Gary Larson has madeclowns carry out dark deedsto serve as a punchline, but this clown’s grounded insecurities are even sillier.
5Twins Don’t Get Along, Even in the Womb
First Published: August 10th, 1990
Anyone who has a sibling knows that it’s common for them to butt heads at every turn. Here,The Far Sidesuggeststhat sibling rivalries can even begin in the womb prior to birth. A woman receives an ultrasound to see how her pregnancy is going, and the nurse shows her the image on a monitor of her twins. Surprisingly, they’re wearing novelty t-shirts inside of her belly.One twin’s shirt reads “stupid”, whereas the other’s reads “I’m with stupid”.
These twins haven’t been born yet, and they’ve somehow found a way to poke fun at one another against the odds. Sure, the imagery of two fetuses in matching shirts that mock each other isn’t exactly highbrow comedy, but it’s definitely hilarious.
4Lice Aren’t Immune to Poor Dining Experiences
First Published: March 3rd, 1992
We’ve all been forced to endure an unpleasant dining experience from time to time, but thisFar Sidecartoon pushes that to a comedic extreme by portraying it through the perspective of lice. These lice are partaking in a meal upon someone’s scalp, but one of them has a complaint. It calls a waiter over and pointedly asks,“Is that a hair in my salad?”
Seeing as the lice are feeding on a person’s head, they should all anticipate hair being present in their food, yet the lack of awareness makes this comic funny. Somehow,Gary Larson makes this bonkers premisework in a comic by embracing the ridiculousness at its core, thus creating something that can be enjoyed by readers who seek a harmless chuckle.
3Farmer Dave Gets a Rude Awakening
First Published: December 11th, 1986
Most readers are likely aware of the trope in which roosters are up early in the morning and awaken sleeping humans with their loud “cock-a-doodle-doo” sounds. InThe Far Side, though, that scenario plays out in a different way. Farmer Dave is seen trying to get a few more minutes of sleep once the sun has risen, but hischickensaren’t letting him off that easily.
Rather than making incoherent sounds as usual, one chicken starts using words to yell at Dave and tell him to wake up.The Far Sideis known to play around with the dynamics betweenhumans and animals, and this comic feeds into that trope by making the chickens dominant over Farmer Dave as they hilariously order him around.
2The Far Side’s Vikings Really Do Mean Business
First Published: April 9th, 1990
As menacing asvikingscan be on a surface level, they also have a goofy side, and this comic proves it. A king and his guards watch in horror as vikings prepare to storm their castle, and one of them exclaims,“My God! Vikings! And they mean business!“This phrase would typically suggest that they’re prepared for a serious battle, but instead, the vikings all hold briefcases as they walk in an orderly fashion.
10 Funniest Far Side Comics Even Your Kids Will Laugh At
While most Far Side comics are known for being a bit too dark for young readers, these 10 cartoons can be enjoyed by grown-ups and kids alike.
Gary Larson’s love for wordplayis on full display here, as he takes a common phrase and once again presents it in the most literal way possible. These vikings do indeed mean business, but in a straightforward sense rather than a metaphorical one, culminating in a delightfully absurd take on a viking raid.
1The Far Side Somehow Makes Aliens Relatable
First Published: December 28th, 1983
While much ofGary Larson’s brand of humorinThe Far Sideconsists of making the familiar feel unfamiliar, this last comic flips that trope on its head by making the unfamiliar hit close to home. An alien spaceship lands on Earth, which would normally be the setup for a frightening sci-fi film in which they try to overtake the planet. As the humans wait in suspense for this first encounter, one alien tumbles down the ship’s stairs in a comical manner.
One of the other aliens complains,“So much for instilling them with a sense of awe.“This awkward - yet undeniably relatable - moment has completely ruined the aliens' attempt at a dramatic entrance. Leave it toThe Far Sideto turn an alien invasion into a silly comic strip!
