The Far Side’s 40th Anniversary: Can You Understand the Most Confusing Comic Without Needing an Explanation?

Celebrating a significant milestone, The Far Side marks the 40th anniversary of what many consider its most baffling comic, and no, we’re not referring to ‘Cow Tools.’ Known for its surreal and unexpected humor, creator Gary Larson has pointed out that there’s only one strip—a particular gem that left audiences scratching their heads—where understanding the humor requires external clarification. This piece delves into the reasons behind the comic’s perplexity while also highlighting some of Larson’s other often-misunderstood gems.

“I never found anyone who ever saw the reason why I did it.”

Originally published on November 20, 1984, ‘The Holsteins visit the Grand Canyon’ presents a seemingly straightforward concept that unfortunately gets overshadowed by its execution. Let’s explore why this comic confounded readers to the extent that Larson labeled it his most misunderstood work, but first, we’ll give you a moment to figure it out yourself…

far side most confusing comic cows on holiday

The black-and-white format indeed complicated the joke’s transmission; however, subsequent color editions introduced a vital modification that clarified the humor, although it remained elusive…

far side most confusing comic cows on holiday, but now in color

Unpacking The Far Side’s Most Confusing Comic

Larson’s Revelation on Audience Misinterpretations

Far Side character writing with pencil and paper, tongue hanging out (foreground); other characters waving in background.

‘The Holsteins visit the Grand Canyon’ centers around a quirky family of cows trying to capture a vacation moment. The core of the humor lies in one calf playfully holding ‘bunny ears’ behind its sibling. In the black-and-white depiction, this gesture is misinterpreted as a simple bow, leading to confusion. Thankfully, the colorized version added a strip of white beneath the hoof, helping audiences catch on to the intended joke.

Interestingly, despite the overwhelming confusion about its intent, many fans still expressed their enjoyment of the comic. In The Prehistory of The Far Side, Larson recalls receiving positive feedback, none of which grasped the humor he designed. He observed:

I found it interesting that, without exception, they were enjoying it from a different standpoint from the one I had intended.

Another instance that illustrates misunderstanding involves a strip with a dog perched on a car, which some viewers deemed “sick”and “offensive”due to misinterpretation of the visual elements.

During a conversation at UCLA that formed part of a 1986 interview with 20/20, Larson reinforced his point:

I never found anyone who ever saw the reason why I did it.

The very premise of a cow family enjoying a vacation inherently stimulates amusement, likely causing many readers to overlook Larson’s more nuanced point. Notably, in this instance, the audience didn’t label Larson’s work “sick”due to their misunderstanding…

More Misunderstood Classics from The Far Side

The Cow Theme Continues to Puzzle

While many might associate confusion with ‘Cow Tools’, there were indeed some readers who grasped its underlying message. However, the level of confusion surrounding it was sufficiently widespread to attract media attention, which Larson attributed to expanding his readership. He emphasized that ‘Cow Tools’ was a “pure exercise in silliness,”envisioning the absurd tools cows would invent if challenged.

Another notable example is the strip featuring ‘Mr. Pembrose’, a character reduced to a solitary eyeball due to a series of unfortunate events. The humor was similarly lost, as the tiny body part failed to register on the psychiatrist’s couch. In his reflections, Larson stated:

Yes, that’s supposed to be an eyeball resting on the couch – the image all but vanished after size reduction.. .. Ok, maybe it doesn’t work.

While confusing strips present their own challenges, entirely misinterpreted comics often lead to greater backlash. For example, a particular strip with a dog howling atop a car drew ire as viewers mistakenly assumed it suggested lewd behavior due to the unfortunate placement of the vehicle’s transmission.

This tendency for misinterpretation contributed to The Far Side‘s reputation for surreal humor. It even inspired a joke in the classic sitcom Cheers, showcasing a character’s confusion over a cow-centered comic. Moreover, the series led readers to question their own interpretations, with one fan writing a letter concerning a straightforward gag about King Kong, questioning if there was a more profound meaning behind the punchline.

The Enduring Popularity of Cow-Centric Humor

Larson’s Insight on the Humor of Cows

Both ‘Cow Tools’ and ‘The Holsteins visit the Grand Canyon’ exemplify Larson’s tendency to feature cows in his most bewildering comics. As recurrent figures in The Far Side, cows have become the comic’s unofficial mascots. In a discussion with The New York Times, Larson revealed his reasoning for their frequent presence:

I’ve always thought the word cow was funny, and cows are sort of tragic figures. Cows blur the line between tragedy and humor.

Such insights elucidate why Larson frequently selected cows for his surrealist humor—often manifesting as everyday situations twisted by their involvement. By depicting cows in forms of human-like behavior, Larson creates a unique blend of comedy and pathos, contributing to a rich source of domestic-themed humor.

As ‘The Holsteins visit the Grand Canyon’ celebrates its 40th anniversary, it provides a timely reminder that fans continue to cherish the legacy of The Far Side, reminiscing over its 14-year run. Larson’s body of work remains provocatively funny, illustrating both his remarkable creativity and the enduring appeal of surreal humor that transcends time, standing alongside more traditional, observational comedy.

Source: The New York Times

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