10 Side-Splitting Far Side Comics Guaranteed to Make You Laugh

The essence of a Far Side comic can often be summarized in one phrase: “that was so random.”This observation holds true across Gary Larson’s entire body of work, reflecting his deliberate choice to present a surreal perspective on reality. By weaving together bizarre scenarios populated by eccentric characters, Larson consistently delivers humor that feels refreshingly unpredictable.

10 The Far Side’s “Four Basic Personality Types”

The Far Side Uses Food to Illustrate the Four Basic Personality Types

People deciding if a glass is half full or half empty in The Far Side.

In one memorable comic, four individuals gaze at a half-filled glass of water, each offering their take on whether it’s half full or half empty. The responses range from optimism to pessimism, indecisiveness, and a comically absurd distraction about a cheeseburger. This clever depiction illustrates the four personality types: the optimist, the pessimist, the indecisive, and the oblivious, showcasing Larson’s ability to combine wit with observation.

9 The Far Side’s “Cow-Fishing”

Fishermen Reel in Cows for Fresh Burgers in The Far Side

Two fishermen fishing for cows in The Far Side.

In a surreal twist on fishing, two anglers find themselves battling not with a fish, but with a beleaguered cow, eager to pull it aboard for the ultimate fresh burger. Although fishing is typically associated with catching aquatic life, this comic exaggeratively demonstrates the absurdity of the scenario, emphasizing that cows are definitely not part of the aquatic ecosystem.

8 The Far Side’s “Skunk Sandwich”

A Comic Exchange: Trading a Skunk Sandwich for a Banana

Two construction workers eating lunch in The Far Side.

In this humorous scenario, one construction worker munches on a banana while another, with a grotesque skunk sandwich, attempts to offload his horrid meal. His exaggerated praise for the skunk sandwich in hopes of a trade contrasts sharply with the reality of his lunch choice. One can only hope that the banana owner recognizes the idiocy of swapping a healthy snack for roadkill!

7 The Far Side’s “Sandwiches for Bears”

In The Far Side, Humans in Sleeping Bags Are Just Sandwiches for Bears

Two bears about to eat three people in The Far Side.

Three unsuspecting campers nestled in their sleeping bags in bear territory face a grim fate, as two bears lurk nearby, delighting in the notion of “sandwiches.”This hilarious yet dark scenario underscores the existential comedy of The Far Side, where humans, oblivious to their peril, become an ironic twist on a picnic lunch.

6 The Far Side’s “Alien Knuckle Sandwich”

An Alien Misunderstands the Concept of a ‘Knuckle Sandwich’

An alien pretending to be a human to eat people in The Far Side.

Disguised as a human, an alien mistakenly interprets a tough-guy’s threat of a “knuckle sandwich”as an invitation to dine on flesh. The misunderstanding exemplifies Larson’s humor, revealing how cultural nuances can result in absurdly comic situations. In this scenario, the alien unwittingly invites trouble upon itself, leading to what can only be described as an unfortunate but hilarious blunder.

5 The Far Side’s “Sandwich Mafia”

The Sandwich Mafia Seeks Justice in a Comically Sinister Manner

A sentient sandwich being thrown into a cafeteria of hungry fourth-graders in The Far Side.

In this quirky comic, a gang of anthropomorphic sandwiches, dubbed the “Sandwich Mafia, ”resolves to eliminate a fellow sandwich in a manner befitting their character. Instead of a classic mafia execution, they comically opt for a unique twist on “sleeping with the fishes, ”instead tossing their hapless member into a bustling cafeteria filled with ravenous fourth-graders. This absurdity continues to cement The Far Side’s legacy of marrying humor with the bizarre.

4 The Far Side’s “Zoo Prank”

Zoo Employees Show a Disturbing Sense of Humor in The Far Side

Members of a zoo staff eating lunch together The Far Side.

Within the staff break room of a zoo’s Tropical House, the employees relish a prank involving a deceased tarantula, recently discovered in a display case. One staff member makes a crack about the macabre contents of a colleague’s sub sandwich, hinting at the bodily horror awaiting Marv. This gruesome gag exemplifies the dark humor that The Far Side capitalizes on, leaving readers with a decidedly unappetizing image of lunch.

3 The Far Side’s “Donner Party Memorial”

The Far Side Tackles a Historical Tragedy with Dark Humor

The Donner Party Memorial is a giant sandwich with a foot sticking out of it in The Far Side.

A comically insensitive monument to the Donner Party presents a statue of a sandwich with a severed human foot protruding from it, encapsulating the tragic cannibalism of the real-life event. The Donner Party’s tragic expedition is a fascinating piece of American history, and this darkly humorous portrayal addresses the delicate balance between honoring the past and eliciting laughter in the face of absurdity.

2 The Far Side’s “Scorpion Sandwiches”

Scorpion Sandwiches: The Far Side’s Definition of Hell

In an imaginative depiction of hell, The Far Side presents a bleak cafeteria scenario, characterized by the dreaded scorpion sandwiches. An established resident vividly explains to a newcomer that some days, the sandwiches could contain a scorpion. This absurd characterization of hell taps into the playful yet macabre humor that Larson is famous for, where the uncertainty of gastronomic horrors epitomizes its essence.

1 The Far Side’s “Jim Hall Diner”

Jazz Guitarist Jim Hall: Stick to Music

A man eating in a diner in The Far Side.

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