10 Hilarious Far Side Comics Showcasing Gary Larson’s Most Underrated Recurring Themes

The Far Side is renowned for its distinctive characters, memorable locations, and iconic punchlines. However, one often-overlooked aspect of Gary Larson’s genius is his hilarious courtroom scenes that, while brilliant, sometimes fail to garner the recognition they deserve even among die-hard fans. Larson adeptly crafted scenarios where unexpected figures found themselves embroiled in trials, resulting in some of the most memorable cartoons from The Far Side.

Whether the outcomes of these trials were predictable or took an unforeseen turn, Larson’s courtroom depictions encapsulated the suspense and thrill of criminal proceedings, elevating the absurdity of these scenarios to new comedic heights.

10 Television’s Iconic Talking Horse Takes The Stand – And Refuses To Hold His Tongue Any Longer

First Published: April 9, 1987

Far Side, April 9, 1987, Mr. Ed on the witness stand reveals incriminating evidence

This classic Far Side cartoon features Mr. Ed, the beloved talking horse from the 1961-1966 sitcom, setting the stage for a comedic courtroom scene. Larson brilliantly allows Mr. Ed to unleash a bizarre stream-of-consciousness testimony that unfolds as follows:

…and then I see Wilbur go around to the back of the barn carrying this shovel and he’s got this wild look in his eyes and he’s like real nervous and then I notice he’s trying to bury this big plastic bag which at first I figure is just full of manure but then I start to wonder what the hey is going on and then…

9 This Far Side Comic Shows That Sometimes The Best Punchline Is Playing It Straight

First Published: June 10, 1987

Far Side, June 10, 1987, depicting a prehistoric court room scene

This particular comic is set in a prehistoric courtroom and reflects Gary Larson’s fascination with the early human experience. More importantly, it demonstrates a key element of the cartoon’s humor—the punchline emerges directly from the premise. In this case, the humor derives from the absurdity that cavepeople are reenacting the familiar dynamics of a modern murder trial, with the cave-prosecutor pressing the defendant, “Mr. Grok, ”about the murder weapon.

8 The Far Side’s Depiction Of Canine Court Is Criminally Underrated

First Published: August 18, 1987

Far Side, August 18, 1987, a dog on the stand in a court room explains his quid pro quo with the defendant

In this comical courtroom moment, a scruffy dog testifies, saying, “Well, the defendant and I had made this deal in which we both prospered. It was one of those ‘you-scratch-me-behind-my-ears-I’ll-scratch-you-behind-yours’ arrangements.”Although Larson doesn’t provide extensive details about the crime, the interplay between the tone of the testimony and the animal nature of the characters creates a humor that is uniquely Far Side.

7 Legendary Pop Culture Strong Man Popeye Reveals His True Nature At A Pivotal Moment

First Published: November 10, 1987

Far Side, November 10, 1987, Popeye on trial for murder says 'I yam what I yam'

In a striking courtroom moment, Popeye the Sailor Man stands trial and, amid a dramatic exchange, he utters, “I yam what I yam.”This line, typically a boastful declaration, takes a dark turn as the prosecutor challenges him with the question, “What kind of monster are you?”Larson masterfully twists Popeye’s iconic phrase, transforming it into an unsettling insight into the character’s psyche.

6 This Far Side Witness Waited Their Entire Life For This Moment

First Published: May 8, 1990

Far Side, May 8, 1990, a fly on the witness stand explains how it overheard information

In this cartoon, a fly serves as the key witness, saying, “So, once they started talking, I just remained motionless, taking in every word… of course, it was pure luck I just happened to be a fly on the wall.”This clever premise illustrates Larson’s skillful balancing act between the bizarre and the expected, culminating in a punchline that maximizes humor through its simplicity.

5 This Deep Cut Far Side Reference Deserves More Credit Than It Gets

First Published: December 14, 1992

This cartoon unfolds in a Senate subcommittee hearing where the Hardy Boys detail their role in “cracking the Iran-Contra scandal.”While this layered reference may be lost on current audiences unfamiliar with the political context of the 1980s, it nonetheless showcases Larson’s ability to weave together pop culture and social commentary with finesse.

4 This Far Side Panel Blends Classic American Folklore & Contemporary Courtroom TV

First Published: December 31, 1992

Far Side, December 31, 1992, depicting 'Ichabod Crane vs.the Headless Horseman in the People's Court'

Captioned “Ichabod Crane v.the Headless Horseman in The People’s Court, ”this cartoon features an engaging legal confrontation between the protagonist from Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”and his ghostly adversary. The inclusion of a contemporary TV series enhances the humor, appealing to audiences familiar with both folklore and popular culture.

3 The Far Side Depicts The Consequences Of Discrimination Against Two-Dimensional Characters

First Published: April 9, 1993

Far Side, April 9, 1993, a stick figure testifies against the man accused of siccing a pet dog on him

This panel showcases Gary Larson’s artistic evolution as he juxtaposes a stick figure against fully realized characters in a trial setting, where the victim testifies against a man who encouraged his dog to attack him. The humor arises from the stark contrast in artistic quality, where the simplicity of the stick figure amplifies the ridiculousness of the scenario.

2 Gary Larson Revels In Twisting Language With This Far Side Interrogation

First Published: April 23, 1992

Far Side, April 23, 1992, a lawyer asks the bovine on the stand 'why now, brown cow'

This particular Far Side cartoon showcases Larson’s gift for wordplay. In it, a prosecutor questions a bovine defendant, summarizing the inquiry with:

We know how you did it – how is no longer the question. What we now want to know is why… why now, brown cow?

Even amidst its reputation for obscurity, The Far Side often employed humorous, straightforward punchlines, such as this clever reimagining of the well-known tongue twister.

First Published: April 22, 1994

A lawyer questioning a man on the stand in court in The Far Side.

In this memorable panel, a disheveled character sits in the witness booth while a prosecutor brandishes a safari hat adorned with googly eyes. The absurdity lies in the claim that the defendant intentionally provided the hat to provoke a baboon attack, striking a balance between the grotesque and the comedic. This unexpected twist solidifies the cartoon’s place as a quirky and valuable gem within The Far Side oeuvre.

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