10 Funniest Far Side Comics Even Your Kids Will Laugh At
Gary Larson's work on The Far Side has been widely praised for decades, but younger readers can't always join in on the fun due to the comics' tendency to veer into dark territory. While adults can get a good laugh out of unsettling jokes, children aren't exactly the target audience for that sort of humor. Luckily, there are plenty of Far Side comics that readers of any age can get a kick out of.
It's true that much of Larson's work tends to rely on shock value and a phenomenon known as the "What-the?" reflex in order to extract a reaction from audiences. With that being said, there have been times when The Far Side leans into sillier punchlines rather than consistently taking the disturbing route. These 10 Far Side cartoons are a delight for grown-ups and children alike, and parents are more than welcome to share them with their kids if they're looking for an entertaining read.
10 The Far Side Swaps Dogs and Humans' Roles
First Published: April 15th, 1982
In this first comic, Larson doesn't need a caption in order to convey the adorable joke being presented. The premise here is simple enough: a dog scratches his owner's belly, which causes him to kick his leg. As is typical of a Far Side cartoon, the dynamic at play between humans and animals has been swapped so that the dog behaves more humanely and the human demonstrates an animal-like behavior.
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One of Gary Larson's favorite tropes to employ within his work is subverting the human-animal relationship that's found in nature, whether that's depicted through farmers and their cattle or - as it is in this instance - an owner and his dog. Dogs may be "man's best friend", but here, it seems the human is the dog's best friend who's more than happy to get his belly rubbed.
9 Even Giraffes Aren't Always Tall Enough to See
First Published: June 5th, 1984
Giraffes, as anyone would know, are infamously tall creatures that don't appear to need help seeing things that are far away. However, these giraffes dispel that notion. This comic features a group of giraffes who take turns standing atop a chair in order to watch for lions in the distance. One would assume that they could see plenty thanks to their elongated necks, but that doesn't look to be the case.
In any Far Side comic, the absurd should be expected. A giraffe increasing its height with a chair is an undoubtedly absurd image, and it shows just how funny these cartoons can be without resorting to morbid extremes. All that's needed is an animal in a ridiculous situation in order to elicit laughter.
8 The Far Side's Snakes Are No Match for Chewing Gum
First Published: March 15th, 1986
Animals once again take center stage in this comic, a hallmark of Larson's more lighthearted work, though these snakes seem to be having a harder time than the dogs or giraffes from previous entries. The caption indicates that these snakes are attempting to "chew gum and crawl at the same time", albeit to little avail. For younger readers, there's a common idiom about it being difficult to chew gum and walk at the same time, which is being pushed to a new level here.
If humans have a hard time walking and chewing gum at once, then it stands to reason that snakes would be incapable of slithering around while trying to chew gum. Only Gary Larson could come up with such a silly idea for a comic, and that unpredictable nature of The Far Side plays a key role in its continued success.
7 A Poor Frog Meets His Match Against Flypaper
First Published: February 13th, 1981
The Far Side's best jokes can be conveyed within a single panel, and this image on its own tells an entire story that could make anyone laugh - child, adult, or anywhere in between. A frog has gotten its tongue stuck on flypaper, an easy-to-understand fiasco that's just plain funny to watch unfold. The frog's look at the viewer ties it all together, as the petrified expression he wears conveys everything one needs to know about the peril he's in.
Even amphibians get to star in their own Far Side comics, and even readers who don't have a mastery over reading can find something to love about simple cartoons like this one. With no caption and only one panel, Larson utilizes his mastery over comedy to great effect here.
6 The Far Side's Aliens Have Their Own Handshake
First Published: September 25th, 1980
Aside from animals, aliens also appear frequently throughout The Far Side, with various comics exploring what their mannerisms and societies might look like. In this particular example, an alien approaches another in hopes of sharing a high five, though their version of this common gesture differs from our own. Rather than requesting a traditional "high five", the alien enthusiastically says, "Give me six!"
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These aliens are relatable from a human perspective in that they greet each other in ways normal people do, but they have certain alien quirks that set them apart from what's familiar to the reader. Gary Larson consistently finds clever ways to explore non-human entities through the lens of comedy, and these aliens' earnest interaction warrants a chuckle.
5 Animal Crackers Fight Back in The Far Side
First Published: October 19th, 1983
Many Far Side comics star animals or adults, but the series also has a recurring child character who Larson dubs "the Nerdy Little Kid". This Nerdy Kid goes by different names depending on his role in each comic's respective story, and he tends to appear in comics that children can relate to. Here, for instance, he's shown eating animal cookies the way many kids do - though his aren't ordinary snacks.
In this comic, animal cookies fight back as the child tries to eat them, and they're shown biting his fingers in retaliation as he reacts in bewilderment. Any kid who enjoys animal-shaped crackers can see the humor here, proving that Larson's jokes can be universal when he wants them to be.
4 The Far Side's Bugs Warrant Formal Introductions
First Published: July 26th, 1986
In The Far Side,Gary Larson's fascination with bugs often permeates through his work, and this cartoon exemplifies that quality as the critters take the focus. Without a caption, the art alone illustrates the story once more. A man holds a book that instructs readers to "know your insects", which would presumably refer to the names of bug species. However, upon closer inspection, the names of these bugs are much more human-like.
The joke here, of course, is that this man is actually getting to know these bugs by learning their names. The Far Side is known for its witty wordplay, with this comic being no exception to that reputation, as getting to know about a subject gets interpreted in the most literal sense.
3 Cavemen Make Milkshakes In Their Own Way
First Published: June 18th, 1987
This comic is one of many from The Far Side's historic run that features cavemen, and these specific strips aim to "defamiliarize" the audience with concepts they're familiar with by portraying how they were first discovered centuries ago. For example, these cavemen appear to be tossing a cow into the air repeatedly. The caption explains what their intention is with throwing this poor bovine around: "Early attempts at the milkshake."
Nowadays, people know how to prepare a milkshake, but Gary Larson reverse-engineers that idea by taking the word "milkshake" and showcasing what a primal caveman would do to make one upon hearing the term. Cows produce milk, so they shake the cow. Once again, Larson's sense of humor takes the known and redefines it in an unexpected fashion.
2 The Far Side's Animals Are Smarter Than They Sound
First Published: August 6th, 1982
This comic also includes cows, as they're a staple of Larson's work in The Far Side. These cows happen to be smarter than the average animal, and they converse with chickens in a farm. Surprisingly enough, their discussion centers on science, and they appear to be partaking in discourse about differing formulas and discoveries in intellectual pursuits. Meanwhile, the farmer checking on them only hears unintelligible animal sounds when he listens in on their chat.
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Talking animals appear regularly in The Far Side, though these cows and chickens are only capable of understanding each other's speech while humans are clueless. For all we know, animals do engage in these scholarly debates regularly in our world, but we have no way of comprehending their speech - much like this farmer.
1 A Penguin Slips on a Banana Peel, Somehow
First Published: June 8th, 1994
The last comic on this list is perhaps the easiest to understand, and it's potentially the funniest entry due to how simple yet effective the joke is. A penguin is pictured in Antarctica, staring in surprise at a discarded banana peel. Evidently, the penguin slipped on the banana like a cartoon character, resulting in a classic slapstick bit.
With nothing but pristine white snow as far as the eye can see, this frozen locale is an easy place to watch where one's heading, yet this poor penguin somehow missed the obvious banana peel that couldn't be more out of place. This Far Side comic is hysterical for readers of all ages, and it's a perfect example of how Gary Larson's humor can indeed be kid-friendly.
- Writer
- Gary Larson
- Colorist
- Gary Larson
