The Far Side stands out as a unique comic strip that embraces an unprecedented sense of freedom, differing notably from other iconic series. While comics like Peanuts revolve around recognizable characters such as Charlie Brown and Snoopy and Garfield features the titular feline along with Jon, The Far Side forgoes this structure entirely. It does not rely on established characters to deliver its humor, allowing for a diverse range of bizarre situations and anomalies that can revolve around any character, real or imagined.
This flexibility facilitates a vast spectrum of comedic narratives involving aliens, infants, trees, and, notably, porcupines. In this article, we spotlight ten exceptionally humorous comics dedicated to the quirky world of porcupines, showcasing their peculiarities and confirming their status as some of the most entertaining animals depicted in The Far Side.
10 Dances Aren’t as Much Fun for Porcupines
Porcupine Dance Party Disasters
A group of porcupine couples gather for a ‘Porcupine Ball’ set deep within the woods, eager to dance. However, their sprightly movements are overshadowed by the discomfort of pricked quills, evident in their chorus of “ouch” with each turn. While human dances often symbolize romance and joy, for these needle-covered creatures, getting too close transforms the evening into an uncomfortable affair.
While human couples waltz into a blissful night filled with romance, porcupines face a starkly different reality due to their quills, presenting a humorous take on woodland gatherings.
9 Porcupine Ranches Are Not Ideal for Herding Dogs
Herding Porcupines? Not For the Faint of Heart!
Picture a rancher, humorously decorated with porcupine quills, gazing at his dog performing the seemingly impossible task of herding porcupines. While the dog energetically corrals the spiky creatures, he too is at the mercy of the porcupines’ quills, leading to an unorthodox and painful herding experience. The juxtaposition of a dog typically herding sheep against the absurdity of herding porcupines amplifies the absurd humor characteristic of The Far Side.
8 Porcupines Make the Best Caterers
A Prickly Problem
At a whimsical cocktail party, porcupines mingle while holding martinis. Notably, the caterers, also porcupines, serve hors d’oeuvres balanced atop their quills. This unique service format adds a layer of hilarity, as they embody a humorous yet impractical interpretation of event catering. The comedic punchline is further delivered by a sketch adjacent to this scene, showcasing one porcupine with a sausage skewered onto its back—an image that resonated particularly well with the comic’s creator, Gary Larson.
7 Porcupines Benefited from Robin Hood’s Misconception
Robin Hood’s Quilly Mistake
In a comically imaginative scenario, Robin Hood kneels before a pair of porcupines, bestowing them with a sack of riches. While Robin is known for his generous theft from the affluent to aid the needy, his delivery to porcupines reveals a humorous twist—a misunderstanding of epic proportions. The punchline lies in the revelation that during the formative days of his adventures, he mistakenly redirected wealth to quilled recipients instead of the actual needy.
6 Porcupines Can Still Have Fun with Balloons
A Prickly Pair
Two porcupine parents relax while their child gleefully plays with a balloon. The father, peering over the newspaper, quips, “Well, this shouldn’t last too long.” The intuitive humor lies in the fact that the sharp quills will inevitably pop the balloon, turning what could be a joyous interlude into a fleeting moment of amusement. The anticipation of the balloon bursting serves as an ongoing comedic setup that tickles the audience.
5 Porcupines Don’t Have to Worry About Being ‘Food on a Stick’
Nature’s Ultimate Bodyguards
The funny image of a caveman attempting to sell a porcupine on a stick highlights the absurdity of such an idea. The scene encapsulates a blend of absurd humor and a commentary on survival instincts, emphasizing that humans must have learned some valuable lessons about porcupines long ago.
4 Porcupines Aren’t Immune to Absurd Humor
It’s a Prickly Business
A gathering of porcupine enthusiasts showcases their beloved pets—except one attendee who attempts to finesse his way in with an inflatable porcupine. As the crowd stands in collective disbelief, one of the real porcupines pops the faux one, highlighting the limits of absurdity. This comic brilliantly encapsulates the ridiculous lengths individuals go to in pursuit of validation amongst peers.
3 Porcupines Have ‘Quill-Care’ Routines
Quills & Relaxation
A porcupine arrives at his date’s home, flowers in hand, but finds her engrossed in a tedious ‘quill-care’ routine. Her annoyance at his early arrival, coupled with visual gags of untouched quill-curlers left in her spines, sets the stage for classic comedic timing. The concept of porcupines engaging in beauty rituals underscores the humor intrinsic to anthropomorphizing animals, amplifying the comedic element of the date.
2 Don’t Eat Porcupines!
Why You Should Never Eat a Porcupine
In a hysterical yet grotesque illustration, surgeons find a live porcupine while operating on a patient, revealing the repercussions of an ill-advised meal. The image serves as a shocking reminder of the absurdity and dangers associated with attempting to consume a creature as spiky as a porcupine. This comic serves both as a riotous joke and a commentary on the foolishness of ignoring past wisdom.
1 Even Porcupines Go Through a ‘Punk Phase’
A Prickly Rebellion
In a hilarious scene, three porcupines flaunt punk hairstyles, breaking away from traditional expectations. Their selective quill removal creates unique, edgy looks—a comedic portrayal of rebellion, proving that even porcupines can experience a youthful quest for identity reminiscent of human behavior. This underscores the creative genius behind The Far Side, leaving readers amused.
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