10 Far Side Comics We Wish We Could Stop Thinking About
The Far Side's tendency to lean into dark humor is no secret, as Gary Larson has developed a reputation for his absurd style of comedy that tends to be oriented towards adult readers. While there are certainly comics that can be enjoyed by all ages, it can't be denied that Larson's work can sometimes be too twisted for the faint of heart.
Of course, The Far Side's inclination toward horror is a crucial part of its charm, but a few jokes leave readers sick to their stomach long after they've read them. The comics included in this list fall into that category, as they depict scenarios that are deeply haunting in one way or another. Whether they feature brutal deaths or troubling tragedies, these cartoons hold nothing back, for better and for worse. Now, here are 10 upsetting Far Side comics that we wish we could erase from our memories.
10 The Far Side Somehow Turns Mailboxes Into Nightmare Fuel
First Published: May 16th, 1981
As silly as this first Far Side comic is on a surface level - after all, it contains a mailbox eating someone - it's hard to deny that it instills a new fear within the reader. Larson doesn't need a caption to convey the story here, as a mailman approaches a mailbox and promptly gets swallowed whole by it. The mailbox then eerily indicates that it's empty once more, with the mailman nowhere in sight.
Any mailman who reads this comic may be hesitant to approach a mailbox for the time being, since it turns a seemingly harmless profession into a dangerous one where lives can be at stake. This mail carrier could still emerge unscathed later, but with what readers are shown, he's been killed and digested by this mailbox.
9 This Far Side Comic Features One of Gary Larson's Most Revolting Jokes Ever
First Published: August 14th, 1988
While many of the more unforgettable Far Side cartoons on this list depict scary scenarios, this one sticks around in the reader's mind for a different reason. Two bears are shown setting up what the caption refers to as an "animal waste management" system, which results in disgusting brown sewage spilling directly into a human's home.
10 Far Side Comics That Turn Living Rooms Into Literal Death Traps
For most people, the living room is a safe space, but for the denizens of the Far Side, it could be just as dangerous as being out in the wild.
These bears' revenge is admittedly justified, since humans have a tendency to release their own sewage into the wilderness and oceans without any thought to how it affects other creatures. Still, the thought of animal waste drenching a house is completely nauseating, and the thought of how this would smell is enough to haunt anyone. This gross Far Side comic is much better off being forgotten.
8 The Far Side Makes Sure No One Ever Looks At Their Lunch the Same Again
First Published: July 6th, 1994
In most workplaces, a lunch break is a time to relax and set the mind at ease. At this zoo, however, there's no true reprieve from the animals that these employees are tasked with keeping tabs on. One man remarks, "What's got 12 legs, six eyes, a hairy thorax, was found dead in its display case this morning, and goes 'crunch' inside a submarine sandwich?"
Evidently, the man eating a sandwich in this comic has mistakenly bitten into a dead spider without realizing it. The description of the spider's "crunch" forces the readers to experience the skin-crawling sensation of eating a spider by accident. After reading this cartoon, most people might want to double-check and ensure that no arachnids have snuck their way onto their sandwiches from now on.
7 The Far Side's Scientists Take Their Experiments Way Too Far
First Published: October 30th, 1990
The Far Side features plenty of eccentric scientists throughout its run, and their experiments tend to fail more frequently than they succeed. Here, though, it's unclear whether one scientist has succeeded or failed. All that's made apparent to the audience is that his experiment has led to a revolting result that no other scientist should try to replicate.
A group of scientists gathers around their laboratory and sees that their coworker has melted into a pile of disgusting goo. They all look horrified at the state that poor Professor Dickle has found himself in, and it seems that nothing can be done to restore him to his previous solid state. This scientist's fate is a gruesome one, and it's bound to give readers nightmares.
6 The Far Side Kills Off Garfield in the Most Twisted Way Imaginable
First Published: December 16th, 1983
Garfield is a beloved character who stars as the titular character in one of the most iconic comic strips of all time, and he's adored by children and adults alike. Unfortunately, The Far Side has killed him off in a horrifying manner, and any fan of the character will be scarred after seeing how Garfield's life comes to an untimely end.
In this cartoon, a whole brutal story unfolds within a single panel. A snake is shown with a suspiciously large lump in its stomach, with its body curled around a food bowl that says "Garfield". The wicked smile on the snake's face suggests that he's swallowed Garfield whole, murdering the cat in cold blood.The Far Side has killed plenty of characters, but Garfield's death is especially haunting.
5 In The Far Side, Clowns Can Become Dangerous Threats At Any Moment
First Published: June 10th, 1991
As silly and endearing as most clowns tend to be, they can also be terrifying, and this cartoon serves as a reminder of that fact. A clown is seen purchasing a gun, bitterly plotting revenge against those who have laughed in his face. Check out the gallery below for more Far Side comics that put a dark twist on clowns!
The joke is that clowns are meant to be laughed at, but this one doesn't appreciate being mocked and has chosen to retaliate. Larson's joke is funny, but it also comes with a sobering reminder that anyone can potentially take a violent turn when provoked. Whether it's a clown or an ordinary person, people can snap at any time, regardless of how easygoing they seem, and this comic proves it.
4 This Far Side Comic Proves That Trees Can Be Seriously Deadly
First Published: May 28th, 1990
Prior to the tragic event that transpires in this cartoon, the scene is overall pleasant. A woman paints alongside a video of Bob Ross that walks her through the process. However, disaster has struck at the time that this comic takes place, souring the tranquil moment. A tree collapses on the house and crushes the painting woman, interrupting her while she's painting a tree by sheer coincidence.
Most houses have trees in their vicinity, and this comic sparks a sudden fear of trees falling on top of houses at random times. In a single instant, a tree can kill the residents of a nearby building, and there's nothing that can be done to protect oneself from an object that large as it topples over.
3 The Far Side Puts a Dark Twist on a Children's Nursery Rhyme
First Published: September 10th, 1987
Every child has a certain fondness for nursery rhymes, as they're often used to help guide young ones to sleep in the form of soothing lullabies. However, this Far Side comic puts a horrifying spin on a classic nursery rhyme by turning "Mary Had a Little Lamb" into absolute nightmare fuel.
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Mary is shown dining on a lavish meal with her staff resting beside her. The caption reads, "Mary had three helpings of corn, two baked potatoes, extra bread, and a little lamb." Yes, you read that correctly: Mary has eaten her little lamb in this cartoon, slaughtering the poor creature to satisfy her own hunger. The Far Side subverts many nursery rhymes, yet this re-imagining is the most chilling.
2 King Kong Claims His Latest Victim in The Far Side's Saddest Comic
First Published: November 6th, 1984
King Kong is one of the many giant monsters that roam the streets of The Far Side, joining the likes of Godzilla, and they have all killed plenty of innocent people during their rampages. With that being said, this particular kill makes the reader's stomach drop in a totally different way by introducing a tragic tale.
As the massive gorilla lands on the ground, a poodle stands beside him, and her leash looks to have been caught underneath him. The dog's owner has presumably been crushed to death by King Kong, leaving the poodle all alone. To rub salt into the wound, the poor dog appears to be waiting patiently for her owner to emerge, making this Far Side comic all the more heartbreaking.
1 The Far Side's Darkest Chicken Comic Proves Parental Love Isn't Unconditional
First Published: January 12th, 1985
Plenty of tragedies and horrors have unfolded across these 10 Far Side comics, but this one takes the cake - pun intended. A chicken is shown baking a cake, and she looks over the ingredients in order to prepare the delicacy. She seems to have everything she needs laid out, save for one ingredient: eggs. Upon glancing over her shoulder, she sees the eggs of her children, and the contemplative look on her face says it all.
It's unimaginable for a mother to consider baking her children into a cake, but in The Far Side, even the darkest deeds can become a reality. Gary Larson's affinity for disturbing humor reaches a record high here, culminating in a Far Side comic that sticks with the reader for the wrong reasons.
- Writer
- Gary Larson
- Colorist
- Gary Larson
