Gary Larson is the brilliant mind behind The Far Side, a single-panel comic that warped the brains—and tickled the funny bones—of millions from 1980 to 1995. Known for his offbeat humor, surreal scenarios, and clever one-liners, Larson created an entirely new brand of cartooning. His work often revolves around anthropomorphic animals, bizarre scientific mishaps, and absurd social commentary. What set The Far Side apart was its unique ability to blend the mundane with the mind-bending. From cows having existential crises to scientists behaving like lunatics, Larson’s world was always unexpected.

About the Artist Gary Larson

Although Larson retired the comic in 1995, The Far Side remains an iconic staple of dark and intelligent humor. His legacy lives on through reprints, digital collections, and the occasional fresh cartoon he now shares via his official website. Over the years, he’s received multiple awards, including the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. In short, if you like your cartoons with a side of weird, Gary Larson’s The Far Side is where it’s at.

#1 Mr. Ainsworth’s Grand Entrance

A séance turns unexpectedly musical when the spirits channel their inner bandleader. The moment the medium pleads for a sign, a thought bubble reveals a ghost counting in a band intro—”A one, and a two…” Larson blends the occult with slapstick in this surreal, spooky gag.

#2 Not-So-Smart on Jeopardy

Einstein and Edison dominate the Jeopardy scoreboard, while poor Jones clings to -100. His excuse? A broken buzzer. Classic underdog delusion. Larson hilariously captures the mismatch of intellect—and denial—with this awkward trivia night.

#3 The Cheese Trap Chronicles

A grandfather mouse recalls his near-death tale with wide-eyed grandkids. “What happened next?” they ask. This cheese-on-wood story is a delightful twist on generational storytelling—Far Side style.

#4 The Funeral of Norman the Chicken

In a world where chickens mourn their own, Norman’s funeral is oddly heartwarming. Even though he was plucked and roasted, his sense of humor lives on. It’s a bizarre, poultry-filled parody of human rituals.

#5 The Explosive Pup

“Harold! The dog’s trying to blow up the house again!” screams a woman as the dog fiddles with dynamite outside. The absurdity and deadpan reaction of the family watching through the window makes this explosive scene unforgettable.

#6 Medieval Science at Its Worst

Cardboard armor gets tested in a joust—and predictably fails. Larson pokes fun at scientific trials and medieval logic in a panel that is equal parts ridiculous and brilliant.

#7 Microscopic Roommates

Ever wonder what’s in a drop of water? According to Larson, it’s lounging organisms with couches, lamps, and newspapers. Who knew protozoa were such homebodies?

#8 The Real Reason the Tower of Pisa Leans

In Larson’s twisted version of history, it’s a construction crew with uneven legs that dooms the tower. This genetically challenged team hilariously “leans into” their architectural disaster.

#9 Existential High-Rise Thoughts

Two construction workers have a break high above the city. One muses aloud: “Should I? Should I push someone off?” It’s dark, weird, and unsettlingly funny—classic Far Side.

#10 Killer Bees Gone Bad

A pair of shady-looking bees loiter near graffiti and invite others to “call Sally for honey.” Larson’s vision of rebellious insects is as absurd as it is clever.

#11 The Hunter and Gatherer Scene

Thag meets Noona at a prehistoric mixer. He’s a “hunter and gatherer,” and proud of it. The Far Side gives cave-life dating a hilarious twist.

#12 The Armadillo Beats Drop

Australopithecines groove to the thump of a rock on an armadillo, much to the delight of Thag’s agent. It’s prehistoric music industry satire at its weirdest—and wittiest.

#13 Lifting the Bar—Literally

One caveman hauls a massive boulder while elders marvel. “Rocks were heavier back then,” they grumble. A perfectly goofy take on generational gaps and caveman strength.

#14 Joy-Buzzer Jungle Fails

Carlson’s journal entry reveals he planned to prank gorillas with a joy buzzer. The final panel shows a hat hanging in a tree. Spoiler: things didn’t go well.

#15 Bigfoot De-mystified

Photographers stumble upon a candid moment—Bigfoot clipping his toenails. The allure is shattered, the mystery gone. Sometimes, legends are better left unseen.

#16 Mummy’s Revenge in the Bathroom

An innocent stall blunder leads to a mummy’s wrath. The ominous bandages visible on the floor tell you everything you need to know.

#17 The Spinach Incident

After a barroom brawl, a woman recounts the chaos: “He whips out a can of spinach… crazy music starts… and well, just look at this place.” Yep, sounds like Popeye was here.

#18 Hyde and Seek

Little Henry Jekyll transforms into a red-haired terror that neighbors call “that Hyde kid.” A hilarious twist on classic horror with a suburban spin.

#19 The Fossilized Mailman

Archaeologists uncover a fossilized mailman—still running, still pursued by a loyal dog. It’s a hilarious jab at one of the oldest tropes in canine behavior.

#20 Rat Poison Placement

Two rats bicker over why “rat poison” is still in the kitchen cabinet. “Right next to the cereal?” Classic Far Side: intelligent, ironic, and darkly funny.

Final Thoughts

The Far Side by Gary Larson remains a goldmine of twisted logic, unexpected punchlines, and timeless weirdness. Whether it’s prehistoric pop culture, bug delinquents, or bathroom mummies, Larson’s brilliance endures.

📌 Official Website: thefarside.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thefarside

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