10 Iconic Far Side Comics That Completely Defy Logic

The Far Side stands out as one of the most entertaining comic strip series ever created, largely due to its unique ability to deliver humor that is often completely unexpected. Readers delight in its surreal blend of randomness and wit, where the punchlines frequently defy conventional logic. The humor found in The Far Side is often an exploration of absurdity—making the mundane appear hilariously bizarre through the lens of anthropomorphic characters and other offbeat scenarios.

This groundbreaking comic, devoid of a singular main character akin to Peanuts or Garfield, allows its creator to experiment with a wide array of characters, including foolish scientists and comedic cowboys. This lack of a central character often results in strips that are so oddly peculiar that they leave readers questioning their own sense of understanding. Here’s a look at The Far Side’s 10 funniest comics that defy logic.

10 The Far Side’s “Cow Tools”

A Cow with ‘Cow Tools’: A Confusing Encounter

A cow standing in front of 'cow tools' in The Far Side.

This comic features an anthropomorphic cow positioned at a table lined with an assortment of peculiar items, humorously labeled as ‘cow tools.’ What’s particularly humorous is the complete absence of context regarding these tools, leaving readers baffled at their purpose. To heighten the absurdity, the cow locks eyes with the observer, adding a layer of discomfort to the disorientation.

What exactly qualifies as “cow tools”? Are these implements especially designed for cattle, or are they merely the quirky creations of a cow? The comic intentionally avoids clarifying any of these ambiguous details, which is precisely what makes it side-splitting yet nonsensical.

9 The Far Side’s “Holsteins Visit the Grand Canyon”

Cows on Vacation: A Surprising Encounter at the Grand Canyon

A family of cows visiting the Grand Canyon in The Far Side.

In this comic, a family of cows is captured posing for a photograph at the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. While the picturesque backdrop is stunning, the moment takes a humorous twist when the little brother cow playfully pokes fun at his sister by giving her ‘bunny ears’ with his hoof.Curiously, there’s no additional punchline or commentary—just a family of cows enjoying a day out. The sheer absurdity of the scene, compounded by the fact that they’re cows, only amplifies the confusion surrounding this eccentric comic.

8 The Far Side’s “Cowboys and Aliens”

A Cowboy Facing Off Against UFOs

A cowboy running from a fleet of alien ships in The Far Side.

A cowboy gallops frantically across the plains, evading menacing alien spaceships raining down laser fire. His desperate attempts to retaliate with his pistol are futile. The caption hilariously states, “The often romanticized image of cowboys and aliens.” Yet, this prompts the question: what is this comic truly conveying?

While the trope of cowboys exists alongside aliens in popular culture, the juxtaposition is not traditionally romanticized. Though the humor cleverly critiques cultural representations, it remains distinctly random and nonsensical.

7 The Far Side’s “Anatidaephobia”

A Man’s Bizarre Fear of Ducks

A man being watched by a duck in The Far Side.

A man sits in his office, the stunning skyline visible through his window, yet he is solely occupied by an all-consuming dread. His phobia? The chilling notion that a duck is watching him from afar. Indeed, his concerns are validated when a duck is discernibly peering at him from across the street.

This concept of ‘duck-watching fear’ introduces an unexpected twist, showcasing an imaginative yet absurd notion. Although the humor is largely evident, the sheer randomness remains a hallmark of This Far Side comic, mirroring absurd fears in an exaggerated context.

6 The Far Side’s “Mr. Pembrose”

An Eyeball’s Therapy Session

A therapist speaking with a sentient eye in The Far Side.

In an unusual therapy session, a therapist evaluates his patient, Mr. Pembrose, an irate eyeball. The therapeutic exchange revolves around Mr. Pembrose’s evident frustrations with existence, all while the sentient eye silently glares back at the therapist.

This comic is rich in interpretive layers—whether Mr. Pembrose is a cursed entity or a mere eyeball grappling with existential crises remains uncertain. Ultimately, it’s a testament to The Far Side’s ability to produce nonsensical, yet engaging humor.

5 The Far Side’s “Raining Pianos”

Pianos Fall Like Rain: A Hilariously Hazardous Scenario

Pianos falling from the sky instead of rain in The Far Side.

A couple remains indoors, avoiding the ominous weather outside.What’s falling from the sky? Pianos, instead of rain, creating a perilous situation for anyone brave enough to venture outside. The husband remarks, “My word! I’d hate to be caught outside on a day like this, ”humorously noting the obvious danger.

Influenced by the absurdity of the situation, the comic exaggerates a simple rainy day to ludicrous extremes. Still, questions arise: why pianos? Why do the characters seem untroubled despite the threat? The randomness is what fuels the humor and absurdity of this strip.

4 The Far Side’s “Copycat Killer”

Detectives Confront a Mysterious Killer

Detectives catching a bizarre killer hanging from the ceiling in The Far Side.

In a twist on classic crime narratives, detectives capture a peculiar character: a killer dressed in flippers, a fishbowl with a frog on his head, and adorned with Christmas lights.The detective questions whether they have nabbed their perpetrator or merely a copycat, amplifying the absurdity of the scenario.

This comic engages readers in a humorous mystery that leaves them in a state of bewilderment about the killer’s outrageous getup—each element adding to the hilarity and randomness of the situation.

3 The Far Side’s “Flat Porcupine”

The Mystery of the Flat Porcupine

A group of people at a porcupine party in The Far Side.

A gathering dedicated entirely to porcupines is underway, complete with guests who each hold their own porcupine. In the middle of this cheerful party, one guest’s porcupine bizarrely flattens, as if deflated.This absurd scenario raises numerous questions: why are they celebrating porcupines? How did the porcupine lose its shape?

Ultimately, the comic thrives on the nonsensical nature of the situation, pulling readers into an incredibly funny and puzzling environment.

2 The Far Side’s “Goldfish Snare”

Goldfish Engineering: A Snare for Their Human

A woman getting caught in a snare set up by her goldfish in The Far Side.

In this comic, a pair of goldfish celebrate triumphantly as their human inadvertently triggers a snare contrived specifically for her. As she dangles helplessly after grocery shopping, the goldfish excitedly exclaim, “It worked! It worked!” The humor lies in the absurdity of goldfish orchestrating such a complex trap.

This scenario leaves readers to ponder the logistic impossibility of goldfish executing such a feat, further accentuating the comedy through its sheer randomness.

1 The Far Side’s “Condiment Dance”

A Noisy Party of Condiments

A man scolding his condiments for playing music too loud in The Far Side.

In a bizarre twist, a homeowner confronts the colorful condiments in his open fridge, which are hosting a raucous ‘Condiment Dance.’ The commotion is so loud that it awakens him in the middle of the night, leading him to demand silence from his unconventional guests.

This concept of a ‘condiment dance’ is introduced with such nonchalance as if it’s a regular occurrence, making it outrageously funny while utterly nonsensical. It’s just another example of how The Far Side captures absurd humor in remarkable ways.

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