The Far Side comic strips distinguish themselves by portraying anthropomorphized animals in absurd and humorous predicaments.
Employing recognizable animals in ordinary environments, these comics inject humor and highlight Gary Larson's unique and bold artistic style.
The strips ingeniously subvert commonplace situations, such as a slug frantically scurrying through a salt-filled house or a porcupine being presented with a balloon gift, transforming them into outrageously funny scenarios.
From dogs engaging in romantic rendezvous to porcupines unwrapping Christmas gifts, The Far Side comics anthropomorphize animals in the most amusing manners conceivable.
Ranging from bears to cows to insects, The Far Side often presented animals in situations that were entirely unforeseen. Depicting animals in human-like, anthropomorphized scenarios was The Far Side's forte. Similarly, The Far Side strips featuring anthropomorphized animals in quirky situations distinguished the comic from others such as Peanuts or Beetle Bailey, which offered more straightforward and down-to-earth humor and narratives.
By placing familiar and beloved animals in ordinary settings, like dating or unwrapping presents on Christmas morning, the strip gains an added layer of absurdity. These scenarios also allowed cartoonist Gary Larson to showcase his signature outrageous humor. Here are prime examples of The Far Side's clever use of anthropomorphized animals.
10 Best Far Side Comics Where Dogs Behave Like Humans
In these amusing and clever comic strips, dogs behave like humans, embracing the absurd and topsy-turvy world of The Far Side.
- "A Phonecaw" Published in 1987
Gary Larson often employed absurdist and surrealist humor, but he was also adept at using puns. This strip perfectly combines both aspects of Larson's humor. It depicts two anthropomorphic birds in their living room, with one of them answering a phone call. However, because they're crows, they're receiving a "phonecaw." Despite the punchline consisting of just two words, Larson expertly sets the scene. The ordinary nature of the crows' interaction gives the reader a sense that these birds are in their natural habitat, rather than the whimsical scenario it actually is.
- "Don't Run Through the House" Published in 1986
Salt poses as a threat to slugs and snails, as it dehydrates and ultimately kills them. Therefore, slugs must exercise extreme caution around this substance. Nevertheless, a young slug in the comic strip neglects this crucial rule and recklessly runs through the house clutching a salt shaker, much to his mother's dismay. Gary Larson cleverly adapts the common trope of children running amok with dangerous objects, like scissors, to fit the whimsical slug household he's created. With this subtle twist, Larson transforms a familiar scenario that every mother and child can relate to, into something absurdly humorous.
"Don't Encourage Him" Published in 1981
Male peacocks are renowned for their vibrant plumage, which they flaunt to lure mates. Larson applies this animalistic trait to a comic strip from the early '80s, injecting humor into a common human dating scenario. In the strip, a group of birds gathers at a bar where a peacock is trying to woo a plain white bird, irritating her companion. The latter, unimpressed with the peacock's flashy display, discourages the white bird from encouraging the peacock's obvious attempt to win her over. This mirrors human interactions where a third party might disapprove of someone's attempt to woo their friend.
"I Was Hibernating" Published in 1987
It's widely known that bears hibernate during winter. However, in The Far Side universe, it seems some bears have forgotten this basic fact of their biology. In the strip, a bear is mistakenly presumed dead by his peers and is almost given a funeral, only to wake up in a coffin. Fortunately for him, he awakens before being buried. Given hibernation is a natural part of a bear's life, one would hope these bears learn to check for a pulse before jumping to conclusions.
- "This Shouldn't Last Long" Published in 1984
Opening gifts on Christmas morning is a cherished custom for numerous families worldwide. As depicted in this comic strip, porcupines also celebrate their own yuletide festivities, sharing similarities with their human counterparts. Curiously, animals, like humans, don't always carefully consider the gifts they exchange. In the strip, a porcupine family is unwrapping their presents, and their child enthusiastically opens a box revealing a balloon. Ironically, this might be the least ideal gift for a sharply-quilled creature, leading the parent to astutely predict that the gift's lifespan will be fleeting.
- "Smells Like A House" Published in 1987
When entertaining guests, maintaining a pleasant home aroma is essential. Imagine the embarrassment for a host if a visitor remarked that their house smelled like a barn. However, in The Far Side's surreal world, the situation is reversed for cows visiting a cow host. In this strip, two cows arrive at a friend's barn, one remarking negatively to the other that it "smells like a house." It's hoped this tactless guest keeps their comment private; otherwise, the barn owner's embarrassment would be profound.
- "Back To Your Canning" Published in 1993
(Note: As the original text did not provide details for the "Back To Your Canning" strip, I've left this section unfinished. If specific details were available, they could be incorporated here, following the same narrative style as the previous strips.)In the 1970s and 1980s, public awareness grew regarding the high number of dolphins killed due to commercial fishing activities. The revelation of this practice, coupled with the introduction of "dolphin-safe" labels on tuna cans, fostered a widespread belief that these cans contained (or had previously contained) dolphin meat. Although this belief has been contested, it inspired a dark punchline in a Far Side comic, where dolphin police officers question a woman whose husband has vanished, while she is suspiciously canning several tuna cans. The comic hints that the contents of those cans might not be tuna, and if there were a news program dedicated to dolphins, this Far Side character would certainly make an appearance.
"Her Little Notebook" Published in 1983
Despite the strip's focus on gorillas, their dialogue mirrors human conversation. As an angry gorilla demands to know where its mate was the previous night, a woman in the background diligently takes notes. This woman, clearly inspired by primatologists like Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey, records the gorillas' behaviors and interactions with meticulous detail. The gorilla being questioned attempts to silence the angry one, fearing the exchange is being documented. However, the angry gorilla is beyond reason and demands answers.
"Worm Away" Published in 1993Sparky's romantic outing begins promisingly, but as depicted in this comic strip, a road hazard brings an abrupt end to their happiness. When a can labeled "Worm Away" tumbles out of the glove compartment, Sparky's expression turns to panic. At the same time, his date, a poodle, just stares blankly at the bottle, which doesn't bode well. These dogs, behaving like humans on a date, suddenly find themselves in an uncomfortable position as one discovers the other's embarrassing health problem. However, the mention of "Worm Away" reminds us that, ultimately, they are still dogs, adding a comical and surreal element to the situation.
"It Was Only A Movie" Published in 1980
For those unfamiliar with the iconic film "The Godfather," there's a notorious scene where a severed horse's head is placed in its owner's bed as a form of intimidation. This grisly moment has understandably caused alarm among horses. In this comic strip, a horse and its companion exit a screening of "The Godfather," leaving the horse visibly disturbed. Given the scene's profound impact on even humans, it's understandable why the horse is shaken. The horse scene from "The Godfather" has been parodied in various movies and TV shows, such as "The Simpsons" and "Despicable Me." But as highlighted in this strip from The Far Side, when horses behave like humans, the scene takes on a whole new meaning.Summary of The Far Side:
Created, written, and illustrated by Gary Larson, The Far Side is a popular comic strip series that spanned from December 1979 to January 1995. This globally renowned series delves into the surreal aspects of life, featuring a blend of human characters and anthropomorphic animals. In 2020, Gary Larson made the decision to revisit his craft, reviving The Far Side and sharing new comics on his official website.
Writer and Colorist: Gary Larson