10 Hilarious Far Side Comics Highlighting Gary Larson’s Obsession with Wolves

Gary Larson’s iconic comic strip, The Far Side, delves into the often whimsical yet dark aspects of nature, with wolves prominently featured throughout. Larson’s fascination with these creatures spans various cultural narratives, ranging from ancient folklore to horror stories. This exploration reflects humanity’s complex relationship with wolves and their symbolism in our stories.

Below are the ten most entertaining Far Side comics featuring wolves. We invite you to participate and vote for your favorite comic in our poll at the end of the article. Let’s determine which wolf-themed comic will claim the top spot among readers!

10 Look At Those Vacuous Eyes

A Trip into Prehistory: Cavemen and Wolves

far side comic about wolves being domesticated

While cows may hold the crown in the popularity contests of The Far Side, cavemen come in a close second, appearing in countless strips during the comic’s impressive 15-year lifespan. Larson’s unique humor shines in his portrayal of prehistoric ‘firsts, ’ as early humans stumble through the creation of modern conveniences. One memorable comic depicts the ‘creation’ of dogs, where a wolf befriending cavemen loses its predatory instincts. Larson cleverly twists the concept of domestication, suggesting it resembles a zombie-like existence rather than an achievement.

Among other notable inventions humorously depicted by Larson are milkshakes, plumbing, and checkers. These strips often capture cavemen unintentionally inventing ideas or seeking out overly specific goals that aren’t yet fleshed out, like creating a rudimentary checkers board with just two squares.

9 Animal Nerds

Nerd Culture Meets Nature

far side comic about animal nerds — Custom Image by Robert Wood (from Gary Larson)

In this comic, a ‘nerd’ wolf misinterprets the intentions of its peers, interrupting them while they stalk their prey. Given the family-friendly nature of The Far Side, Larson cleverly navigates the challenge of creating humor without resorting to outright insults. This leads him to explore the concept of ‘nerds’ through various lenses, extending the joke to cowboys, aliens, and even dinosaurs.

8 Doris the Wolf

A Slice of Life with a Dark Twist

far side comic where wolves take photographs

In a humorous yet dark twist, one comic shows a family meal where the matriarch, inspired by Larson’s mother, obsessively photographs a scene that represents a chaotic feast involving a fallen deer. Larson shares insights about this comic in *The Prehistory of the Far Side*, where he reveals that this idea springs from his own family’s traditions around meal time.

Whenever and wherever my family gets together for a big dinner, my mother (whose name is Doris) feels compelled to pull out her camera and take the quintessential shot of the Larsons about to bolt down their meal.

Since wolves are such social animals, it was an easy jump in my mind to go from a wolf-kill to a Larson meal.

This delightful nod to his mother adds a personal touch, even if the character is depicted as a ferocious wolf.

7 Weak and Stupid People

Suburbia and Its Odd Neighbors

far side comic where wolves eat neighbors

This strip depicts a pack of wolves moving into the neighborhood, which seemingly does not horrify their human neighbors. Instead, they accept that the survival of the fittest indicates some ‘weak and stupid people’ may become prey. Larson’s knack for merging typical Americana—like picket fences—with utterly bizarre characters offers a unique commentary on suburban life. Here, ordinary citizens must coexist with cavepeople, howler monkeys, and genuine monsters.

Larson’s humor often reflects the tension of classic American life against a backdrop of dark absurdity, likely influenced by his upbringing amid Cold War anxieties.

It was going from Leave It To Beaver to bomb shelters. I remember sitting in my seventh-grade English class thinking that the world was going to end during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It made you look at the world a little bit askew.

6 My Client Is an Endangered Species

A Legal Twist on a Classic Tale

Amongst his many darkly humorous gags, Larson parodies the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs, showcasing a wolf who decides to take one of the survivors to court, alleging premeditated harm. The wolf’s lawyer cheekily points out that while pigs are plentiful, wolves are rare and traditionally seen as prey.

This clever use of familiar narratives allows Larson to evoke a complex interplay of humor and critique that resonates with readers, emphasizing the absurdity of fables.

5 Luposlipaphobia

Wordplay at Its Best

famous far side comic about being chased by wolves — Custom Image by Robert Wood (from Gary Larson)

Larson’s wit often embraces language play, as seen with his coined term ‘Thagomizer’, referring to the spikes on a stegosaurus’ tail. This playful creation was even adopted by some paleontologists, demonstrating how Larson’s humor can influence real-world discussions.

4 Farmer MacDougal

The Devil is in the Details

far side comic where a farmer spies on his dog

In this iconic single-panel comic, Farmer MacDougal breeds an unexpected encounter with local wolves as he notices that his dog has been corrupted by them. Larson’s storytelling prowess shines through in the details—right down to the beers the wolves are shown enjoying. The clever framing through MacDougal’s binoculars adds depth to the narrative.

3 That Same Obnoxious Tie

Horror Movie References Abound

far side comic werewolf salesman sold fake silver bullets

Larson’s affinity for horror cinema is clear in his references, ranging from mythical beings like Frankenstein to pop culture icons such as King Kong and Jaws. This blend of classic monsters into humorous situations showcases his unique comedic style.

2 Sheep’s Clothing!

An Innovative Disguise

far side wolves dressed as gorillas comics

In a classic reversal, two wolves contemplating a disguise as gorillas realize that dressing as sheep might yield better results. Larson plays with the concept of disguises, humorously critiquing the original phrase ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ This comic echoes Larson’s view of family humor, emphasizing a quirky appreciation for playful disguises.

1 Wait a Minute!

A Flock of Wolves Left in Disarray

In this hilarious scenario, wolves disguised as sheep face an unexpected challenge—their clever ruse backfires, creating a fictitious flock devoid of actual prey. The irony becomes funnier when contrasted with the previous comic, illustrating how the overuse of an initially clever disguise leads to their downfall. Larson artfully demonstrates that even the smartest animals can end up in amusing predicaments.

These ten Far Side comics featuring wolves illustrate Larson’s distinctive humor, blending dark themes with lighthearted commentary. Don’t forget to cast your vote below for your favorite comic among those listed!

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