10 Instances When Far Side’s Humor Transformed Our Perspective on Animals

The Far Side is widely regarded as one of the most hilarious comic strips ever created, and its enduring charm can be attributed to its distinctive approach. Unlike more traditional comic strips like Garfield or Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side does not center around a single protagonist. Instead, it features an array of recurring characters, with each comic crafted around its unique and often absurd punchline. This individuality allows the comic to explore a variety of themes and scenarios, from whimsical takes on everyday life to surreal interpretations involving aliens, babies, and anthropomorphic animals.

Among its many comedic revelations, The Far Side has a knack for portraying animals in a humorous light, often flipping conventional perspectives on them. The comic frequently showcases animals as the butt of the joke, employing them in scenarios that challenge viewers’ expectations. Here are ten of the funniest comics from The Far Side that have undoubtedly transformed readers’ perceptions of animals.

10. The Far Side Reveals Cows are Secretly Jealous of Humans (for a Surprising Reason)

A cow grilling hamburgers in The Far Side.

This comic depicts a cow grilling hamburgers, much to the shock of its fellow bovines. The punchline lies in the grim irony that hamburgers, made from ground beef, are effectively cow meat. This visual absurdity presents a cow engaging in cannibalism, challenging the audience to laugh while recognizing the unsettling nature of the situation.

Through this humorous twist, the comic suggests that cows might harbor jealousy towards humans who indulge in such treats. While most cows wouldn’t link their identity to culinary preferences, this particular cow’s misguided attempt at human behavior provides a chuckle along with a thought-provoking insight.

9. The Far Side’s Hilarious Take on “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”

Wolves wearing sheep costumes in The Far Side.

In this clever interpretation of the idiom, a wolf dons a sheep costume among a flock of its own kind, only to discover that there are no actual sheep present — just other wolves masquerading as sheep. The twist humorously underscores the absurdity of the situation and reveals the folly of the wolf’s plan.

This comic reflects the reality of deception in the animal kingdom and serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most cunning plans can unravel in the most ironic ways.

8. The Far Side Introduces the World’s Most Unlucky Deer

A deer with a target on his chest in The Far Side.

Perched amidst a serene woodland, two deer engage in conversation, but one stands out with a bullseye painted on its chest. One deer remarks, “Bummer of a birthmark, Hal,” illuminating how Hal’s life as a deer already comes with inherent dangers exacerbated by this glaring mark.

This comic offers an evocative commentary on the fragility of life in nature and how even minor details can drastically affect survival.

7. The Far Side Exposes Goldfish’s Dark Side

Two goldfish catching their owner in a snare in The Far Side.

In a whimsical twist, two goldfish in their bowl appear to have outsmarted their own owner, who is ensnared by a trap set by the fish. One goldfish gleefully exclaims, “It worked!” casting a new light on their seemingly benign exterior.

This surreal representation prompts readers to reconsider the domesticity of pet goldfish, illustrating that they might harbor secret ambitions under the surface.

6. A Mole is the Unlikely Culprit of Humanity’s Downfall in The Far Side

This comic takes a ludicrous spin on the biblical tale of Adam and Eve, suggesting that a mole with a penchant for audio recording was the true instigator of their fateful decision to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Rather than falling prey to a snake, Adam and Eve’s demise is humorously attributed to a mole’s desire to avoid the traps set for it by the couple.

This interpretation shrewdly debates notions of villainy and highlights how even the simplest creatures can influence profound events.

5. Santa’s Reindeer Face Unexpected Pressure in The Far Side

Santa with his reindeer in The Far Side.

In a comic set within Santa’s workshop, St. Nick expresses his frustrations to his reindeer, presuming they might be ungrateful for their joyful lives. With a striking demand, he chillingly threatens, “Venison.” This dark twist on holiday cheer exposes the darker side of the North Pole.

Revealing the pressure under which these magical creatures operate, this comic forces readers to ponder the reality behind the cheerful facade of Santa’s annual gift-giving mission.

4. Polar Bears Show Their Craftiness in The Far Side

A polar bear disguised as a penguin in The Far Side.

A group of penguins investigating mysterious disappearances among their ranks unwittingly welcomes a polar bear disguised in a clearly unconvincing penguin outfit. The humor lies in the oblivion of the penguins, who accept the bear among them, offering a hilarious commentary on animal perception and deception.

This comic brilliantly illustrates the absurd lengths to which predators will go to elude detection and adds a layer of humor through the naïveté of the penguins.

3. Ducks are Surprisingly Menacing in The Far Side

A duck watching a man from another building in The Far Side.

A man ensnared by anxiety finds himself closely observed by a duck from across the street, prompting his irrational fear of anatidaephobia — the dread that a duck is always watching him. Although this phobia is fabricated for comedic effect, the implications challenge viewers to reconsider their perceptions of benign creatures.

The underlying absurdity of anthropomorphism injects a fresh perspective on everyday life while hilariously exaggerating fears linked to ordinary animals.

2. Grizzly Bears Display Their Macabre Side in The Far Side

Bears using human skeletons as puppets in The Far Side.

A mother grizzly bear engages her cubs by recounting the tale of unsuspecting humans who wandered into her cave, using their remains as puppets in a darkly comic storytelling session. This surreal image cleverly alludes to the dangers of wilderness and the omnipresent threat that bears represent.

This comic darkens the typical warm-and-fuzzy feelings surrounding animal family dynamics, presenting the harsh realities they face.

1. Dogs Aren’t as Engaging as People Believe in The Far Side

A scientist using a device to understand what dogs are saying in The Far Side.

A scientist equipped with a groundbreaking device claims to understand canine communications, only to find that dogs essentially echo, “Hey!” This anticlimactic revelation humorously underscores the gap between our expectations about animal intelligence and the reality.

The irony presented in this comic encourages reflection on our assumptions regarding communication across species and highlights the often simplistic nature of animal expression.

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