The Far Side is renowned for its unique sense of humor that forever changed how we view animals. Unlike other comic strips, it doesn’t rely on a main character, but rather utilizes individual, standalone jokes, often featuring animals in absurd situations. From anthropomorphic cows to scheming goldfish, The Far Side has no shortage of hilarious comics that highlight the quirks and peculiarities of our animal friends. Here are 10 Far Side comics that forever changed our view on animals, making us laugh while also reconsidering our perception of these creatures:
- The Far Side Confirms Cows are Secretly Jealous of Humans (for 1 Sick Reason)
One comic features a cow grilling hamburgers, an unsettling sight given that cows are made of meat. The humor here lies in the absurdity of a cow cooking its own kind, revealing a darkly comedic jealousy of humans for their food. - The Far Side Puts a Hilarious Spin on the Idiom “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”
In this comic, wolves are disguised as sheep, trying to blend in. The twist comes when the wolves realize everyone else is also a wolf in disguise—no real sheep to be found. It’s a comical critique of the idiom, playing on the absurdity of the situation. - The Far Side Introduces the World’s Most Unlucky Deer
A deer with a target on its chest isn’t just a bad birthmark—it’s an omen of the hunter’s rifle sight. This comic makes readers see deer as targets, both literally and figuratively. - The Far Side Reveals Goldfish Aren’t as Harmless as They Seem
Two goldfish watch their owner struggle in a trap they set. The humor here lies in the goldfish’s apparent cunning, exposing a sinister side to these seemingly innocent pets. - A Mole is Responsible for Humanity’s Fall from Grace in The Far Side
This comic humorously attributes the Biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall to a mole. Tired of being trapped, the mole tricks Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. It’s a clever reinterpretation of a classic story. - The Far Side Reveals Things are a Bit More Intense for Santa’s Reindeer
Santa’s reindeer are threatened with being turned into venison if they don’t perform well. This comic flips the cozy image of Santa’s workshop into something more sinister. - Polar Bears are Much Craftier in The Far Side
A polar bear in a penguin costume tricks a group of penguins into letting him in. The humor lies in the bear’s disguise, making readers question how intelligent and crafty these animals really are. - Ducks are Far More Threatening in The Far Side
A man is terrified by a duck watching him from a neighboring building. This comic humorously highlights the absurd fear of anatidaephobia—the fear that ducks are always watching us. - Grizzly Bears are Way More Twisted in The Far Side
In a story told by a momma grizzly bear using human skeletons as puppets, the comic exposes the darker side of these animals. It’s a morbid yet humorous take on how dangerous grizzly bears can be. - The Far Side Craftily Imagines a Polar Bear as a Sneaky Imposter
A polar bear is shown dressed as a penguin, luring penguins one by one. The humor is in the bear’s brazen disguise, suggesting that animals may be more cunning than we think.
Each of these comics takes a familiar animal and flips it on its head, often using absurdist humor to challenge our assumptions and views. The Far Side’s unique ability to use animals to tell ridiculous, thought-provoking stories has cemented its place as one of the most iconic and enduring comic strips of all time.
