10 Hidden Far Side Comics Featuring Cowboys You Didn’t Know About

The Far Side is celebrated for its distinctive single-panel format, a unique storytelling approach that embraces a diverse range of characters rather than focusing on any single protagonist. Unlike comic strips such as Peanuts or Garfield, The Far Side operates more as a short-form comic, effectively using its illustrations to deliver punchlines directly associated with the humor they intend to convey. This innovative structure allows it to showcase a myriad of characters across its extensive run, with no one exempt from becoming the target of its sharp wit.

Among its many eccentricities, The Far Side isn’t shy about applying its absurdist humor to every imaginable subject, including the rugged world of cowboys. Below, you’ll find a selection of ten hilarious cowboy-themed comics from The Far Side that fans might not have realized they were missing!

10 Cowboys Have a Bizarre Way of Choosing Their Sidekicks

A cowboy going to the store to get a sidekick in The Far Side.

In one memorable comic, a cowboy gazes into a general store, where a sign hints at the unusual offering of ‘sidekicks.’ Three eager applicants positioned in the window resemble puppies at an adoption event, each hoping to be selected. This humorous depiction mirrors the traditional sidekicks seen in classic Westerns featuring iconic figures like The Lone Ranger and John Wayne.

Typically, in a Western narrative, a cowboy recruits a trusty sidekick during an adventure. However, The Far Side flips this expectation; here, they are up for grabs, reflecting the absurdity that the comic thrives on.

9 The Far Side Takes ‘Riding Into the Sunset’ Hilariously Literally

A cowboy horribly burned from riding into the sunset in The Far Side.

One comic features a cowboy rushing into a saloon, hoisting a severely burned friend who screams for help. The cause of this dire situation? Riding into the sunset—quite literally. This phrase, often used to signal the conclusion of a hero’s journey, is subverted when one cowboy takes it too literally, ending up in critical condition.

This twist not only pokes fun at the classic Western trope but clearly illustrates the comic’s penchant for absurdity and unexpected consequences.

8 Being a Vegetarian Cowboy is Not Cool

A cowboy getting mad at another for being a vegetarian in The Far Side.

In another clever comic, two cowboys sit at a bar, where one angrily offers the other a chicken leg, only to be met with resistance: the refusal is due to the other cowboy being a vegetarian. This humorous take illuminates the absurdities that can arise when traditional cowboy culture clashes with modern sensibilities.

In The Far Side, being a vegetarian doesn’t just set you apart; it can lead to comically awkward confrontations.

7 Cowboys Take ‘Home on the Range’ Very Seriously

Cowboys sitting around the campfire in The Far Side.

A gathering of cowboys around a campfire takes a darker turn when one cowboy raises the alarming issue that a fellow member uttered “a discouraging word.”This comic is a play on the beloved folk song “Home on the Range,”where such negativity is reportedly uncommon.

The juxtaposition of light banter and the dread of breaking tradition transforms this moment into a source of humor, showcasing The Far Side’s unique ability to blend cultural references with absurdity.

6 Gunplay Gets a Whole New Meaning

Cowboys stacking guns like a house of cards in The Far Side.

While Westerns often glorify thrilling gunfights, The Far Side offers a hilariously absurd interpretation of ‘gunplay.’ The imagery of cowboys constructing a tower of guns like a precarious house of cards subverts expectations and delivers a punchline that showcases the comic’s unique brand of humor.

What might be considered a life-or-death scenario is turned into a playful reminder of the over-the-top nature of cowboy culture.

5 A Hilarious Twist on a Classic Cowboy Saying

Two cowboys dueling in a tiny town in The Far Side.

Tension mounts as two cowboys prepare for a duel within an unmistakably tiny town. The phrase “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us”is taken quite literally here, offering a comedic layer that showcases how much The Far Side enjoys twisting familiar sayings to emphasize absurdity.

The picture speaks volumes about irony as it emphasizes the ridiculousness of the situation, showcasing the humor that arises from literal interpretations.

4 One Cowboy Listens to a Common Threatening Instruction a Bit Too Well

A cowboy dancing for a gang of outlaws in The Far Side.

In this comic, outlaws yell at a lone cowboy, shooting at his feet to force him to dance. However, rather than fleeing in fear, the cowboy embraces the moment and showcases his dance skills. This humorous spin highlights a common trope in Westerns—intimidating threats—while adding an amusing twist that completely changes the expected outcome.

Instead of panic, this cowboy seems to deliver a captivating performance, turning intimidation into an outright dance party.

3 Cowboys Come in All Shapes and Sizes

A vulture wearing a cowboy's clothes while eating his carcass in The Far Side.

In a strikingly morbid comic, a vulture dons a dead cowboy’s attire while the other vultures feed on the carcass. The vulture’s playful adoption of “cowboy”attire paints a hilarious contrast to the grim scene, reinforcing the comic’s message that cowboys can—and sometimes do—come in all shapes and sizes.

Whether it’s vultures trying on cowboy hats or any other twist of irony, The Far Side continually extends the boundaries of what constitutes a cowboy.

2 Cowboy Duels at High Noon Look Very Different

Two cowboys playing ping-pong in The Far Side.

The iconic “duel at high noon”takes a bizarre turn in this comic where two cowboys settle their disputes with a heated ping-pong match rather than gunfire. This refreshing break from the traditional stereotype highlights The Far Side’s ability to mix absurdity with unexpected scenarios.

Readers are left to chuckle at how trivial their wrangling becomes when confronted with the sight of two serious cowboys engaging in a non-lethal contest.

1 “Shoot First, Ask Questions Later”Takes On a Whole New Meaning

A cowboy shooting and killing another cowboy in The Far Side.

In a surreal take on cowboy justice, Bart shoots another cowboy and then starts bombarding the corpse with questions, undeterred by its silence. His companion looks on in disbelief, admonishing, “You can’t shoot first and ask questions later!”This comic brilliantly subverts the usual meaning of the phrase, turning it into a hilarious, chaotic scene that captures the essence of The Far Side’s absurdity.

This winding journey into the quirky world of cowboys in The Far Side emphasizes how humor can take many forms, with laughter stemming from unexpected interpretations of routine scenes.

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