Best Far Side comics A Comic Review for True Fans

Best Far Side comics remain some of the sharpest, strangest, and most beloved single-panel gags in the cartoon universe. In this review, we’re diving headfirst into 20 laugh-out-loud panels that prove Gary Larson’s work is just as relevant and ridiculous as ever.Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the twisted world of The Far Side, get ready to laugh at talking animals, sentient vegetables, nervous bank robbers, and science jokes no one else would dare to draw.

Gary Larson launched The Far Side in 1980, and the world of comics was never the same. With a unique blend of surreal humor, dark wit, and unexpected punchlines, Larson’s single-panel masterpieces ran until 1995 — and have remained iconic ever since.

He won the Reuben Award (twice), penned bestselling books, and even had scientific species named after his creations. His themes range from science and nature to anthropology and awkward social moments, all drawn in his signature quirky, thick-lined style that makes his work unmistakable.

#1 Okay, Ramone. We’re All a Little Yellow.

There’s nothing quite like a gang of banana-suited criminals trying to psych themselves up for a bank heist. This comic nails that moment of doubt, bravery, and undeniable fruit-based self-awareness. The absurd image of bananas in trench coats whispering pep talks is Far Side brilliance at its core — both literally colorful and metaphorically yellow.

#2 Waiting on Gravity – Come On, Newton!

What if Newton had just been a bit less… observant? This cartoon shows scientists sitting under apple trees, waiting for inspiration — while a hilariously enormous apple dangles precariously above Newton’s head. It’s visual irony and historical trolling wrapped in one beautifully absurd package.

#3 Buffalo Nose – When Plastic Surgery Goes Wild

Larson’s take on cosmetic surgery is as bizarre as it is side-splitting. With a buffalo charging through an operating room and a surgeon named Dr. Blumenfeld, we get a surreal vision of what could go wrong in the hands of a mad doc. Let’s just say “buffalo nose” is a side effect you won’t find in your insurance plan.

#4 Into the Sun… And By the Way, My Sunglasses!

Two astronauts (or unlucky pilots?) are spiraling into the sun’s gravitational grip — but what really matters? One is angry the other borrowed his shades. It’s a beautifully timed punchline in the face of cosmic doom, making it laugh-out-loud ridiculous in the most Far Side way possible.

#5 Water Buffalo Joyride – Tanzania Trouble

A safari gone wrong becomes oddly relatable when you realize your Land Rover is being enjoyed by two lounging water buffalo. The image is both calm and chaotic, and the caption delivers the perfect mix of deadpan panic and “told-you-so” humor. Classic Larson.

#6 Rogue Dumbo – The Revenge of Flight

Dumbo’s gone rogue, folks. This cartoon imagines a tusked terror soaring through airways, terrorizing pilots. With a giant elephant face pressed against the cockpit window, it’s equal parts unsettling and hilarious. Who knew revenge-fueled elephants could be aviation hazards?

#7 The Butler Did It… But Also Gored Him

This murder mystery takes a wild twist when the elephant in the room is, quite literally, the butler. With a room full of eccentric characters and a detective pointing fingers, it’s an outrageous nod to Agatha Christie — if her novels featured more stampedes.

#8 Slipping Snake Seduction – Vance’s Fake Hood Fiasco

You’ve seen awkward party scenes, but never like this. Vance, a snake disguised as a cobra, tries flirting his way through the room — only to have his phony hood slip. It’s social anxiety, serpent-style, and it hits a little too close to home.

#9 Favorite Things – Murder by Whimsy

Copper kettles. Woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with string. Sound familiar? It’s a “Sound of Music” parody turned murder scene. The victim? A man whose favorite things were apparently too tempting for a thief with a Broadway obsession. Morbid and musical? Yes, please.

#10 Chicken Coop Three – Busted at Last

A poultry prison break meets investigative journalism in this chaos-filled scene. As dogs are perp-walked out of a coop under the watchful eye of cameras, feathers and drama fly. Larson turns an animal control moment into an epic crime saga — and it’s hilarious.

#11 High Fashion Misfire – Moose on the Catwalk

A moose wearing a dress and high heels on a fashion runway? Classic Far Side. The comic absurdly suggests animal modeling is a thing — and that no one in the audience bats an eye. It’s a jab at both haute couture and how far we’ll go for “style.”

#12 Cow Tools – The Infamous WTF Panel

This legendary strip baffled readers everywhere — and still does. A cow stands proudly behind bizarre, unidentifiable tools. What are they for? Why is one sort of shaped like a saw? Larson created this nonsense on purpose, and it became one of his most discussed comics ever. Confusion has never been so iconic.

#13 Beware of Doug – A Real Party Animal

Picture a yard sign: “Beware of Doug.” You expect a dog, but instead, a raging man named Doug crashes through a fence in a drunken stupor. It’s a clever play on misreading warnings, and a reminder that sometimes, people are scarier than pets.

#14 Bummer of a Birthmark, Hal

In this darkly hilarious panel, two deer are chatting in the woods. One has a large bullseye on his chest. The other delivers the ultimate line: “Bummer of a birthmark, Hal.” It’s cruel, quick, and perfectly Far Side — no punch pulled, no apology needed.

#15 Midvale School for the Gifted – Push/Pull Genius

Arguably one of Larson’s most famous cartoons, this one shows a “gifted” student failing to push a door that’s clearly marked “pull.” It’s every smart person’s dumb moment immortalized. The physical comedy here is subtle — but pure gold.

#16 Trouble Brewing at the Boneless Chicken Ranch

Chickens lie limply across the ground, flopped over fences and stairs. The joke? This is the “boneless chicken ranch.” It’s silly wordplay turned visual gag perfection, and it works on every level — as long as you’re not a boneless chicken.

#17 How Nature Says ‘Do Not Touch’

A panel showing a vibrant array of animals — spiky, bright, glowing — all yelling “DO NOT TOUCH!” It’s educational and hysterical at once. Gary Larson captures the essence of evolutionary warning systems better than any biology textbook could.

#18 School for the Gifted, Revisited – Math Terror

A follow-up to the Midvale hit, this version shows a kid staring blankly at a complex math equation on a blackboard — sweat beading down his face. The caption? “Suddenly, everything made sense. Then, just as suddenly, it didn’t.” We’ve all been there, buddy.

#19 Trapped in a Dryer – The Hamster’s Tale

A hamster recounts to fellow cage-mates the horror of being trapped inside the family dryer. With wide-eyed fear and genuine trauma, the animal war tale plays out hilariously. The way Larson gives pets internal monologues makes this strip unforgettable.

#20 Lassie Translation – Timmy’s Screwed

The family listens attentively as Lassie barks. A translation box reads: “Timmy’s stuck in the well again. This is getting ridiculous.” Larson takes the classic boy-and-dog trope and flips it into sarcastic dog frustration — and honestly, we feel for Lassie.

Why These Comics Still Matter

These 20 Best Far Side comics prove just how timeless, clever, and wildly imaginative Gary Larson’s work continues to be. From mutated animals and physics jokes to crime-solving elephants and buffalo nose jobs, no idea is too absurd for The Far Side. And that’s exactly what makes it so brilliant. Each cartoon stands as a reminder that humor doesn’t need to explain itself — it just needs to be surprising and true in its own weird way.

Artist Credit

All comics featured in this article are the brilliant work of Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side. His uniquely offbeat style, clever visual metaphors, and sharp wit have cemented him as a true legend in cartooning history.

• Visit the official Far Side site: www.thefarside.com
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We highly recommend exploring more of his legacy there!

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