12 Hilarious Far Side Comics from 1983 That Will Make You Exclaim: “My God!”

In 1983, Gary Larson’s iconic comic strip The Far Side achieved a significant milestone. Its initial regional triumph in a select few newspapers transitioned into widespread national recognition. This marked the first time since the strip’s inception in the early ’80s that a larger audience could embrace its uniquely bizarre and sometimes shocking humor.

Though Larson was not the first to incorporate surrealistic jokes or edgy punchlines in his work, he stood out as a trailblazer. His intentions transcended merely eliciting laughter. In Larson’s world, whether readers found themselves bewildered by a panel, exclaiming, “What the?”or gasping in disbelief, it all counted as a successful response.

This article compiles ten of the most memorable panels from The Far Side that undoubtedly fall into the “My God!”category.

12
These Far Side Gators Just Discovered What A Delicacy Humans Are

First Published: January 3, 1983

Far Side, January 3, 1983, two alligators bask in the sun after eating a human

This panel captures the energizing spirit of the New Year as two alligators lounge by a riverbank, chuckling about their latest meal. They express surprise at how “soft and pink”the human they consumed was, in stark contrast to their typical prey that features “fur, claws, and antlers.”The juxtaposition of their joyful delight against the grim reality of their carnivorous discovery showcases Larson’s knack for blending humor with dark themes.

11
The Neighbor On The Far Side Of The Street Your Parents Always Warned You About

First Published: February 24, 1983

Far Side, February 24, 1983, a giant man with a child clenched in his teeth

The dangers of childhood in The Far Side come to life in this unsettling cartoon. It depicts a giant man triumphantly clutching a child in his teeth, as an onlooker—presumably the boy’s mother—observes from a window with a calm disbelief, exclaiming, “Good heavens! What’s he caught this time?”This bizarre image juxtaposes horror with nonchalance, resulting in a uniquely humorous and unsettling perspective on childhood anxieties.

10
A Far Side Snake Brings His Main Squeeze Home For The First Time

First Published: March 21, 1983

Far Side, March 21, 1983, a snake brings a human woman back to its lair

This cartoon branches into unique territory as it elicits empathy through discomfort. A human woman attempts to fit inside a snake’s lair while the snake delightedly announces, “It’s true Barbara…you’re the first woman I’ve ever brought here.”The surreal premise plays on the stark absurdity of the scenario, lending a distinctive yet unsettling flair that evokes a strong reaction from readers.

9
The Far Side Squashes The Question Of Whether Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Humans Co-Existed

First Published: April 23, 1983

Far Side, April 23, 1983, archeologists discover a dinosaur footprint and the smashed bones of a prehistoric hunter

Larson’s expertise lies in crafting deliberately anachronistic scenarios, as seen in this panel featuring archaeologists unearthing the crushed bones of a prehistoric man under a massive dinosaur footprint. The humor derives from the juxtaposition of the two eras, but the realization of the human’s fate introduces an unsettling undertone that lingers long after the punchline.

8
On The Far Side, Animals Usually Got The First Bite And The Last Laugh

First Published: May 19, 1983

Far Side, May 19, 1983, a skeleton with its hand caught in a beaver trap

Through the clever use of visuals, Larson captures the inevitability of nature reclaiming its space. A skeleton caught in a beaver trap serves as a morbidly funny commentary on the hunter-prey dynamic. The viewer is left pondering the balance between nature’s triumph over human arrogance and the tragic fate met by the hunter.

First Published: June 24, 1983

Far Side, June 24, 1983, a man sets the forest on fire so he can paint it

This powerfully evocative cartoon depicts an artist creating his masterpiece amidst a forest fire he intentionally started. The depiction draws on real-life instances of individuals who cause disasters for their own gain. This morbid humor strikes a chord, considering the dark underpinnings of such actions, which create a humorous but disturbing reflection on human nature.

6
The Far Side Asks, “What’s More Torturous Than Someone Singing Off Time?”

First Published: July 21, 1983

Far Side, July 21, 1983, two men hanging on dungeon walls sing 'row, row, row your boat'

This contentious cartoon features two shackled prisoners trying to sing the nursery rhyme “row, row, row your boat,”amidst their grim situation. The humor emerges from the absurdity of their predicament, creating a dissonance that vacillates between laughter and discomfort, exemplifying Larson’s talent for nuanced comedy that resonates differently with each viewer.

5
The Far Side Was Full Of Firsts – Including The First Birthday Party & First House Fire

First Published: August 27, 1983

Far Side, August 27, 1983, a cavewoman brings a flaming log into the cave

In this cleverly crafted panel, the joyful discovery of fire is humorously depicted as a disastrous event. A jubilant cavewoman tries to surprise her companions with a flaming cake, leading to an impending disaster rife with smoke. The humor lies in the oblivious glee of the cave dwellers, all while reflecting the double-edged sword of innovation and its unintended consequences.

4
This Far Side Workplace Dispute Escalated Quickly

First Published: September 21, 1983

Far Side, September 21, 1983, two men in a radioactive zone rip each other's containment suits

This cartoon comically escalates a mundane workplace conflict into a radioactive crisis. As an employee dramatically rips his colleague’s containment suit, the tension of the scene is exacerbated by the warning label on the door. For readers, this scene engenders various reactions, from shock to laughter, showcasing Larson’s ability to provoke multiple emotions simultaneously.

3
The Far Side’s Monsters Weren’t Always The Ones Lurking In The Dark

First Published: October 12, 1983

Far Side, October 12, 1983, a kid peaks into a monsters house 'until they ate him'

In this insightful panel, Larson plays with the classic monster trope. A young boy curiously peers into a monster’s house, offering a fresh take on fear and curiosity. However, the punchline—that he ultimately meets a grim fate—reveals a classic twist, leading to both laughter and shock from the audience as they process the boy’s unfortunate end.

2
Rest Easy Far Side Fans, It’s Not A Real Baby – This Time

First Published: November 8, 1983

Far Side, November 8, 1983, a man uses a doll to show off his pet python's crushing ability

Amidst the myriad of questionable pet ownership portrayals in The Far Side, this one stands out. A man proudly showcases his pet python’s strength by tossing a doll into its enclosure. This jarring feature triggers discomfort in readers, who are relieved to find that no harm comes to an actual infant. It balances dark humor with a degree of relief, sparking varied reactions.

1
The Electric Chair Was A Laughing Matter When It Came To The Far Side

First Published: December 5, 1983

Far Side, December 5, 1983, prison guards lead a clown to the electric chair

This panel combines the iconic imagery of clowns with the grim reality of capital punishment. As a corrections officer leads a clown to the electric chair, he expresses his distress, saying he won’t be able to explain this scenario to his children. The absurdity of the situation paired with the officer’s resigned attitude provides a dark yet poignant reflection on the normalization of violence.

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12 Hilarious Far Side Comics from 1983 That Will Make You Exclaim: “My God!”