10 Dark Far Side Comics That Turn Executions Into Humor

The humor of The Far Side has always centered around revealing the absurdity of serious subjects, rather than belittling them. Gary Larson’s genius lies in transforming the horrific—such as torture and public executions—into comedic reflections that prompt both laughter and thought. Through his art, Larson skillfully juxtaposes the bizarre elements of life with ordinary situations, often undercutting the gravity of dark themes by rendering them silly.

This unique ability to shift perspective is one of Larson’s defining traits and significantly contributed to the acclaim of The Far Side as a global phenomenon.

10 Marie Antoinette Attempts to Clarify Her Infamous “Cake”Comment

First Published: September 20, 1994

Far Side, September 20, 1994, Marie Antoinette clarifying her 'let them eat cake' statement before her execution.

In this iconic Far Side strip, Gary Larson humorously depicts Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated Queen of France, attempting to clarify her notorious statement about cake during her execution. In Larson’s vision, rather than lamenting her fate, she shouts, “And ice cream! Let them eat cake and ice cream!” It’s a twist that captures the absurdity of her situation while humanizing her character, a feat achieved in just a few lines.

Unlike the grave reality of her public execution, Larson’s exaggerated take juxtaposes humor with history, inviting readers to reflect on the bizarre twists life can take.

9 A Last-Minute Reprieve Turns into a Big Break

First Published: July 13, 1994

The Far Side, July 13, 1994, executioner's mishap gives man an unexpected reprieve.

In this cartoon titled “Executioner Understudies, ”Larson illustrates a medieval scene where an executioner’s axe handle breaks, granting the condemned man a moment of unexpected life.The backup executioner eagerly thinks, “It’s my big chance!” The comic cleverly plays on the juxtaposition of mortal dread with the career aspirations of the understudy, highlighting the intertwined fates of executioner and victim.

8 Concerns for the Future Generation of Executioners

First Published: November 16, 1993

Far Side, November 16, 1993, classroom of future executioners with a misinformed student.

This Far Side comic showcases a classroom of aspiring executioners, highlighting a student who has just provided an incorrect answer regarding the operation of the electric chair.“Down and up real fast is incorrect, ”states the teacher, with another hand eager to correct him. While lighthearted on the surface, this gag delicately brushes against serious implications about competency and the implications of failure in such a grim profession.

7 A Sharp Pop Culture Reference to 1970s Ads

First Published: January 23, 1990

Far Side, January 23, 1990, the execution of the 'ring around the collar' copywriter.

This particular cartoon exemplifies Larson’s ability to weave in pop culture references, even those that may now seem archaic. Here, he humorously imagines the execution of the unfortunate copywriter behind the infamously annoying “Ring Around the Collar”ads. For audiences familiar with the 1970s, this darkly comic moment delivers a nostalgic punch, recalling a time when such advertisements were part of mainstream culture. While its impact may fade with time, it once resonated significantly with readers.

6 The Awkward Presence of a Parent at Work

First Published: December 6, 1984

Far Side, December 6, 1984, an executioner waves to his mother in the crowd.

In one of the most memorable execution-themed strips, Larson finds humor in an Old West hanging, where an executioner is visibly distracted by his mother waving from the crowd. As he contemplates his grim task, the awkwardness of the situation is palpable.His internal dialogue encapsulates the discomfort of performing serious duties under parental observation, producing a refreshing clash of light-heartedness against a dark backdrop.

5 A Timeless Execution Joke

First Published: June 25, 1984

Far Side, June 25, 1984, a man before a firing squad.

This strip encapsulates dark humor masterfully as the commanding officer of a firing squad inadvertently steps in front of the guns to allow a condemned man his last cigarette, just as a woman screams “FIRE!”from a nearby burning building. The layered misunderstanding creates a comedic yet suspenseful situation, showcasing Larson’s knack for blending tension with humor.

4 Mixing Tones: A Characteristic of Larson’s Work

First Published: December 5, 1983

Far Side, December 5, 1983, a clown led to the electric chair.

Larson’s ability to juxtapose tones is exemplified in this strip featuring a clown being led to the electric chair. Here, the underlying seriousness of the situation is contrasted sharply with the visual absurdity of a clown in such a dire circumstance. As one guard remarks, “I don’t think I’ll be able to tell the kids about this one, ” the contrast between the gravity of death and the whimsical spirit of the character creates a comedic tension that leaves readers laughing.

3 A Temporary Stay-of-Execution in Classic Far Side Fashion

First Published: November 5, 1981

Far Side, November 5, 1981, a man survives hanging.

This panel depicts a convict who narrowly escapes death just after being hung due to an improperly tied knot. The scene features a frantic executioner who, in the middle of chaos, reminds his assistant of the proper way to tie a noose.The condemned man, paralyzed with shock, embodies a perfect blend of terror and absurdity as the executioner’s matter-of-factness contrasts sharply with his plight.

2 Execution Students Missed the Lesson

First Published: October 9, 1980

Far Side, October 9, 1980, a man nervously awaits execution in the electric chair.

This early comic precedes one of Larson’s later works depicting execution classes. It features a nervous inmate in the electric chair, facing an operational hiccup as guards flounder in trying to make the switch function.“Just click it up and down a few times, ”one guard suggests, introducing both a sense of urgency and absurdity to the moment. It’s a classic case of miscommunication that humorously prolongs an otherwise grim situation.

1 Making Light of Execution: “If Heads Have to Roll, Can’t It Be a Good Time?”

First Published: August 6, 1980

Far Side, August 6, 1980, a king approves of the clown body painting for the guillotine.

In this early gag, a king is humorously content with clown body art around the guillotine’s opening, conveying a mix of whimsy and macabre humor.This light-hearted take on a historical symbol of death exemplifies Larson’s ability to critique serious subjects through satire, transforming grim realities into something bizarrely entertaining. It reflects his overall ethos of transforming the absurdity of violence into comedic narratives that resonate deeply.

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