Gary Larson's "Far Side" comics feature astronauts making unexpected and unsettling findings in space, highlighting Larson's inventive and humorous storytelling. The strips reflect Larson's fondness for visual humor and his knack for incorporating subtle details to enhance comedic timing. While they are amusing, some of Larson's comics also incorporate clever science fiction concepts that have been recognized in more earnest works.
In these humorous Far Side comics, Gary Larson uses smart sci-fi ideas to present astronauts with unsettling cosmic truths. The beloved comic The Far Side features recurring gags, with astronauts making unexpected discoveries in space being the most imaginative. Larson's focus on aliens visiting Earth adds to the charm of seeing humanity explore beyond the stars and encounter more than it anticipated. Below are the top 10 funniest Far Side comics where astronauts make disturbing discoveries, including alien life, unexpected celestial bodies, and human error. Stick around for a poll at the end to vote for the funniest strip.
- "Lunar Lander Love" This early comic from the beginning of The Far Side's 16-year run showcases Larson's love for visual humor. The joke of an unusual alien creature being attracted to the astronauts' lunar lander is perfectly delivered, with small details like the lander's bent legs and mouth-like side plating helping to accentuate the gag.
The Far Side is unique in that it doesn't have recurring characters, allowing for a variety of jokes with different aliens. Larson's love for the natural world is evident as he treats humans as just another type of animal, as shown in the comic strip "Feldman Must Be Freaking Out." The pets humans remain petty until the end, as shown in "Sunglasses," where even in the face of danger, two astronauts bicker over sunglasses before potentially being incinerated by the sun.
10 Hilarious Far Side Comics Where Everyone Meets Their End The Far Side pokes fun at the intelligence of humans by showing various ways in which its characters meet their demise. 7 "Shake the Jar!" Larson's interest in conservation extends to other planets. 6 Alien Mount Rushmore Many of The Far Side's concepts could work as legitimate science fiction. 5 Alien Picnic The Far Side treats aliens the same as humans when it comes to unfortunate outcomes.
The Far Side's Dark Sense of Humor Shines in These 11 Named Character Comics The Far Side has a reputation for its dark sense of humor and its tendency to turn moments of triumph into secret tragedies. In one strip, some astronauts accidentally cook an alien alive in their attempt to take one giant leap for mankind. At first glance, it may seem like the astronauts unintentionally wiped out a deadly predator, but a closer look reveals that the poor extraterrestrial was just out for a picnic. Larson enjoys taking mundane situations and having unusual characters act them out, leading to more Far Side comics where bizarre beings enjoy a picnic.
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"We've Made It, Warren!" The Far Side brings slapstick humor to the moon with this early visual gag. The astronauts, with their dumpy, faceless appearance, add a humorous touch to the otherwise nightmarish circumstance. Additionally, Larson gives the doomed characters a name, adding a personal touch to their demise.
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"Dear Henry..." This strip blurs the line between comedy and horror as an astronaut is abandoned on the moon and finds out from a paper note left at the landing site. Adding insult to injury, the rocket in the sky indicates that if Henry had been just a little faster, he could have caught his ride home. This surreal scenario adds an amusing twist to the character's unfortunate predicament.
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"Scarecrow" The Far Side's named character comics showcase Larson's mastery of using humor to turn triumph into tragedy, blurring the line between comedy and horror in surreal scenarios.
Gary Larson's ability to use small details in his comics is often overlooked, but it is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. In his strip "We Better Keep This Quiet," Larson expertly conveys a larger story within a single panel, showing a deflated and fearful astronaut holding an American flag on an unexpected alien landscape. The presence of gigantic insectoid aliens and a mysterious scavenger implies a threat to humans, all communicated through the astronaut's tiny, faceless figure. This concept of astronauts discovering something terrifying about Earth is a hard sci-fi concept played for laughs, typical of Larson's signature style. The hint of menace in the world being a balloon adds an extra layer of humor and horror, similar to other Far Side strips where astronauts cope with disturbing discoveries. Larson's wild imagination and unexpected twists make The Far Side flourish when it delves into the strange and unknown, showcasing the comic's ability to capture the unexpected in a constantly surprising world.