10 Dark Far Side Comics About Cows That Will Challenge Your Love for Them

The Far Side, created by Gary Larson, is infamous for its absurdist humor, often spotlighting a wide range of animals—cows included. These common creatures not only serve as a source of inspiration for Larson; they also provide a darker twist that has become a hallmark of the comic strip. Through Larson’s lens, cows are depicted in sinister scenarios that challenge their typically benign reputation.

Indeed, after engaging with these comic strips, readers might find themselves questioning the true nature of cows (and perhaps even their favorite burger).It’s a humorous reminder for farmers: vigilance is key after flipping through The Far Side.

10 “The Cowboy Wax Museum”

August 23rd, 1994

The Far Side, Cowboys looking at wax cows.

In this unique wax museum dedicated to cowboys, visitors witness an eccentric exhibit: a group of cattle participating in the fictional “great stampede of cleats.” The humor lies in the absurdity—cows equipped with cleats create a comical, albeit chaotic imagery that emphasizes Larson’s departure from reality. While a stampede can wreak havoc on ranchers, the addition of cow cleats amplifies the folly.

Yet, the cows in this exhibit sport expressions that suggest they are enjoying the chaos, setting the stage for even darker hilarity in the next exhibit, titled “sheep ranchers from hell.”

9 “His Ear”

January 10th, 1980

The Far Side, two bulls staring at a bullfighter.

Bullfighting poses significant danger, and this Far Side comic highlights that risk by involving devious bulls. In a twist, one bull instructs another to “get the ear from the bullfighter.”This clever scenario suggests a conspiratorial mindset among bulls, leaving the audience to reconsider the docility typically attributed to bovines.

It becomes clear that these bulls are not just animals but strategic players in a deadly game, a realization that could send shivers down the spine of any matador.

8 “I Got One!”

February 19th, 1982

The Far Side, the bull pinning down a rodeo clown.

Rodeo clowns traditionally serve as distractions for bulls, but Larson takes a darkly humorous turn in this scenario. One bull has caught a clown and proudly announces, “I got one!” The terrified expression of the clown starkly contrasts with the bull’s triumph, serving as a stark reminder of the perils these clowns face in the arena.

This playful twist on rodeo antics prompts audiences to appreciate the risks of this unconventional profession, while the bull relishes its moment of glory amidst the chaos.

7 “Agent 6373”

March 13th, 1980

The Far Side, two cows looking at a city on fire.

It seems that history is not safe from Larson’s skewed portrayals. This comic presents two cows observing Chicago engulfed in flames, claiming Agent 6373 has succeeded in a mission—the destruction of the city. This humorous take references the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, suggesting the cows were behind the catastrophe in a delightfully twisted fashion.

With a satirical nod, Larson pushes the envelope regarding historical tragedies, inviting readers to chuckle while contemplating the cows’ unexpected malevolence.

6 “The End”

October 28th, 1988

The Far Side, cows with tools about to attack a cartoonist.

Reflecting on his own works, Larson’s comic depicts cows wielding tools, prepared to take revenge on the creator for their unfavorable portrayal in “Cow Tools.” This self-reflective humor showcases Larson’s knack for poking fun at himself while illustrating the cows’ escalating frustration.

A humorous cameo from Nancy, a character from another comic strip, adds another layer of depth to this metatextual piece, reminding readers of the interconnectedness of comic worlds.

5 “Out at Sea”

July 8th, 1985

The Far Side, cow and man shipwrecked on a lifeboat.

Stranded in the ocean, an unexpected pairing—a man and a cow—find themselves in a dismal situation aboard a lifeboat. Both are gaunt from starvation, and their thoughts betray their survival instincts: the man envisions a juicy steak, while the cow imagines the human as a feast of greens. This humorous yet macabre reversal of expectations prompts readers to reflect on the primal instincts at play even in dire circumstances.

It’s a rare depiction of a cow in nautical misadventures, flipping the script on typical shipwreck imagery.

4 “We’ve Discovered a Leak”

March 2nd, 1981

The Far Side, a crowd of cows with a fake one in the middle.

In this scenario, a group of cows discovers that they have a mole among them—not a real mole, but a spy dressed in an obvious cow costume, leading to a comic uproar among the bovine rebels. The implication of a revolution is potent, leaving readers to ponder the cows’ motivations as they confront betrayal within their ranks.

What escalates the humor is the ominous suggestion that a standoff awaits the spy, whose fate hangs in the balance amidst the angry mob of cows.

3 “Their Revenge Was Meted Out”

January 7th, 1992

The Far Side, cows bringing an automatic milker to a house.

In a scene of poetic justice, a group of agitated cows approaches their farmer wielding an automatic milker, reflecting the tragic outcome of their mistreatment. The description of the crime scene as “grisly, yet strangely hilarious” adds a level of absurdity to the cows’ quest for retribution against Farmer Macdougal.

This revelation urges readers to consider the complexities of human-animal relationships, potentially prompting a reevaluation of dairy consumption.

2 “Cow Documentaries”

1987

The Far Side, camera man being lowered in a cage to a group of cattle.

This comic riffing on shark documentaries presents a humorous visual: a filmmaker being lowered into a herd of cows, encased in a protective cage. The inversion of typical wildlife documentation raises questions about the presumed innocence of cows, suggesting they might embody underlying dangers unknown to humans.

The absurdity resonates with Larson’s penchant for flipping expectations on their heads, offering readers a delightful dose of humor.

1 “Farmer Brown Froze”

February 12th, 1986

The Far Side, cows with a drawing of the farmer's body when the farmer walks in.

Emphasizing Larson’s signature morbid humor, this comic features two cows caught in a compromising situation, discussing the various “cuts”of their owner. The moment is thick with tension as Farmer Brown walks in on the pair, leading to a hilariously awkward exchange with potentially lethal implications for the farmer.

While cows are generally viewed as gentle beings, The Far Side challenges this notion, elevating the tension and absurdity in the interspecies encounter.

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