Top 10 Funniest Far Side Comics by Gary Larson from His Last Month (Celebrating 30 Years)

Gary Larson’s iconic comic strip, The Far Side, captivated audiences from 1980 until 1994, and remarkably, its final month of comics just celebrated its 30th anniversary. Among these concluding strips, readers discovered a delightful array of themes featuring aliens, clowns, and even Noah’s Ark. Let’s delve into the ten standout comics from the concluding full month of The Far Side‘s syndication that continue to resonate with humor today.

Although the majority of The Far Side ran until 1994, with Larson’s final piece published on January 1, 1995, the magic of his work remains timeless.

10 Alien Gag Gun

December 13, 1994 Comic

Aliens frequently appear in The Far Side, each uniquely designed but sharing a playful, often mischievous perspective toward humanity. In the classic comic featuring a picnicking couple, two aliens utilize a prank gun to terrify their unsuspecting targets. Instead of a conventional ‘BANG!’, the alien weapon emits a whimsical flag, creating a humorous twist. Larson’s fascination with first contact scenarios often leads to absurd, rather than epic, storytelling.

9 Should I?…

December 6, 1994 Comic

Larson’s The Far Side is recognized for its dark humor, seamlessly blending laughs with deep creepiness. In a notable strip, two construction workers enjoy lunch, but one expresses an ominous urge to push his colleague off the edge. This unsettling scenario, coupled with the victim being trapped near the drop-off, exemplifies Larson’s knack for blending the mundane with the macabre.

8 Reserved

December 22, 1994 Comic

Far Side comic where a hunter sees deer is reserved

A recurrent theme in Larson’s comics involves the misfortunes of hunters, and this final month features a humorous take on the subject. A hunter encounters a deer adorned with a ‘reserved’ sign, humorously implying the animal is off-limits to him, bringing a fresh twist to the hunting narrative.

7 Futon

December 29, 1994 Comic

Far Side comic where a gorilla has a futon

This comic, originally conceived under the banner “Nature’s Way,”humorously features a gorilla’s home decoration endeavors. Larson adds a layer of competitive envy among the primates over the acquisition of the prized futon, blending animal behavior with human-like jealousy.

6 Motive and Opportunity

December 21, 1994 Comic

Far Side comic where a dog steamrolls a cat

The classic canine vs. feline rivalry takes a new twist as a dog inadvertently lands himself in trouble by steamrolling his owner during a mishap. Larson’s portrayal offers unique moments where dogs aren’t always the top animals in the hierarchy of comic mischief.

5 Decoy

December 27, 1994 Comic

Far Side comic where a duck complains about being shot while checking out a decoy

In this hunting-themed comic, a duck, having been grazed by a hunter, is reluctant to return home. The comedic undertone lies in the duck’s fear of justifying its actions to its spouse. The comic encapsulates Larson’s signature way of infusing anthropomorphic traits into animal life.

4 Fly Painting

December 19, 1994 Comic

The Far Side Cartoon Portrait Blocked by Fly in Painting

Larson’s mastery of language is as evident in his captions as it is in the visuals. One standout gag relies on interpretation, where the viewer anticipates the forthcoming chaos as the painter unveils his work to the client.

3 Mime Rifle

December 28, 1994 Comic

Demonstrating his distaste for mimes and accordions, Larson depicts hunters geared up with a special rifle for targeting mimes. Strangely, the humor encapsulated in this comic strikes a chord that’s both absurd and amusing.

2 Kidnapped Clown

December 26, 1994 Comic

Even in his last months, Larson continued to deliver timeless gems such as this mobster-themed clown comic. Here, gangsters misunderstand a clown’s gleeful demeanor, providing a fantastic visual commentary on fear and misunderstanding in the face of humor.

1 Noah

December 30, 1994 Comic

Far Side comic where Noah tries to force the animals to play poker

As the pinnacle of his final month’s work, Larson’s comic depicting Noah cheating animals in a card game encapsulates his whimsical satire. The animal expressions devoid of intelligence amplify the humor, making Noah’s trickery all the more hilarious.

These ten comics from December 1994 illustrate the brilliance of The Far Side and serve as a testament to Gary Larson’s comedic genius, proving that even after three decades, his humor remains delightful and relevant.

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