30 of the best far side cartoons of all time

Art Scpae

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10-12-2024

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30 of the Best Far Side Cartoons of All Time: A Retrospective on Gary Larson's Absurdist Masterpieces

Gary Larson's The Far Side wasn't just a comic strip; it was a cultural phenomenon. For over a decade, Larson's darkly humorous, often surreal, and always surprisingly insightful cartoons graced newspaper pages worldwide, leaving readers chuckling, pondering, and occasionally shuddering with a mix of amusement and unease. His unique blend of absurd scenarios, witty wordplay, and subtly unsettling imagery cemented his place as a comedic legend. Choosing just 30 of the best is a daunting task, akin to picking a favorite star in a galaxy, but this selection attempts to represent the breadth and depth of Larson's genius. These are not ranked, but rather presented as a journey through the quirky landscape of The Far Side.

Animals Doing Human Things (and Vice Versa):

1. Cow tipping: This seemingly simple concept, a mythical rural prank, became instantly iconic thanks to Larson's portrayal of the stealthy bovine operation. The suspenseful anticipation and the almost malicious glee in the cows' eyes perfectly capture the absurdity.

2. The psychiatrist's office (with the talking dog): This classic exemplifies Larson's ability to blend the mundane with the surreal. A dog undergoing therapy highlights the inherent anthropomorphism we apply to animals, while also subtly poking fun at the often-uncertain nature of psychological treatment.

3. The wildebeest migration (with the single, confused wildebeest): Larson masterfully uses the vast scale of nature to highlight the individual's struggle for belonging, or in this case, finding the herd. The visual gag of the lost wildebeest is both hilarious and strangely poignant.

4. The family portrait (with the family of chimps): The uncanny resemblance between the chimps and a typical human family is both funny and unsettling. It forces us to confront the similarities between species and the sometimes-bizarre nature of family dynamics.

5. The dog training class (with the increasingly aggressive dog): This cartoon uses simple, escalating visuals to create a darkly comedic commentary on the relationship between humans and their pets, and the unpredictable nature of even the best-laid plans.

Scientific and Existential Ponderings:

6. The ant farm: A tiny, enclosed world reveals vast landscapes and civilizations, prompting thoughts about our own place in the larger universe and the limitations of our perspectives.

7. The evolution of man (with the increasingly bizarre creatures): Larson's satirical take on evolutionary theory subverts expectations, demonstrating the unpredictable and often absurd trajectory of life's development.

8. The frog's perspective on the human world: This cartoon cleverly flips the script, highlighting the strangeness of human behavior from an outsider's perspective. The simple image speaks volumes about our often-unreasonable actions.

9. The caveman's discovery of fire (with unexpected consequences): This piece blends historical context with absurd consequences, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of progress and the unintended results of innovation.

10. The map of the world (with the bizarre geography): Larson's cartographic humor showcases his ability to subvert expectations and create a world that's both familiar and utterly foreign at the same time.

The Absurdity of Everyday Life:

11. The "I'm not sure what's wrong" panel: This simple cartoon perfectly captures that feeling of inexplicable malaise that everyone experiences from time to time. Its simplicity is its strength.

12. The family gathering (with the awkward relatives): Relatable to anyone who's ever attended a family reunion, this cartoon highlights the often-bizarre and sometimes-uncomfortable dynamics of family relationships.

13. The "My brain is fried" panel: This single-panel marvel speaks volumes about the overwhelming nature of modern life and the feeling of mental exhaustion that often accompanies it.

14. The office meeting (with the increasingly bizarre suggestions): This cartoon is a perfect encapsulation of the absurdity of corporate life and the often-nonsensical nature of meetings.

15. The school bus (with the bizarre passengers): The seemingly normal school bus is filled with wonderfully strange creatures, highlighting the unexpected diversity found in everyday life.

Death, the Afterlife, and the Unexpected:

16. The Heaven and Hell (featuring a surprisingly welcoming Hell): This cartoon subverts common expectations of the afterlife, offering a darkly comedic take on heaven and hell.

17. The life insurance salesman's presentation (with the unexpected client): Larson's ability to blend the mundane with the macabre is on full display here. The stark juxtaposition creates a dark humor that is both unsettling and hilarious.

18. The cemetery (with the strange epitaphs): This cartoon uses witty epitaphs to poke fun at the often-serious nature of death and mortality.

19. The wedding (with the unexpected guest): Similar to the life insurance salesman cartoon, this piece uses unexpected imagery to create a darkly comedic moment that's both memorable and surprising.

20. The afterlife (with the unexpected bureaucracy): Larson satirizes the often-absurd nature of bureaucratic processes, even extending it to the afterlife.

Wordplay and Visual Puns:

21. The "I'm sorry, I haven't got a clue" panel: The simple, yet profound, message is perfectly encapsulated in the visual and text.

22. The "It's a little late to be changing your mind" panel: The visual perfectly complements the witty text, creating a concise and memorable cartoon.

23. The "I've got a great idea" panel: This cartoon highlights the often-absurd ideas that pop into our heads, and the difficulty of bringing them to fruition.

24. The "What would you do?" panel (with the very unexpected options): This cartoon plays with the reader's expectations, leading to a punchline that is both surprising and hilarious.

25. The "I'm not sure what's going on here" panel: This self-aware cartoon is a perfect example of Larson's ability to blend meta-humor with his signature absurdity.

Science Fiction and the Unexplained:

26. The alien autopsy (with the unexpected findings): This cartoon plays on common science fiction tropes, adding a touch of Larson's signature dark humor.

27. The UFO sighting (with the unexpected reaction): The understated reaction to a bizarre event perfectly captures the unexpected nature of the paranormal.

28. The time traveler's dilemma: This cartoon explores the paradoxes of time travel with Larson's characteristic blend of humor and absurdity.

29. The lost city of Atlantis (with the unexpected inhabitants): This cartoon subverts expectations, providing a humorous take on a legendary lost civilization.

30. The underwater city (with the unexpected inhabitants): Similar to the Atlantis cartoon, this piece uses unexpected imagery to create a memorable and humorous image.

Gary Larson's The Far Side continues to resonate with audiences today because it transcends simple humor. His cartoons are thought-provoking, subtly insightful, and surprisingly relevant, even decades after their initial publication. They invite us to laugh at the absurdities of life, question our assumptions, and appreciate the unexpected beauty in the bizarre. This curated selection, though far from exhaustive, offers a glimpse into the genius of Gary Larson and the enduring legacy of The Far Side.