Top 10 Hilarious Far Side Comics Featuring Santa Claus

Gary Larson’s The Far Side is renowned for its humorous takes on various aspects of pop culture, and Santa Claus is no exception. The comic strip frequently pokes fun at the jolly figure, particularly through a whimsical series of Christmas cards that feature Santa in a variety of amusing scenarios, often accompanied by his elves and reindeer. This playful subversion of Santa’s traditional image has made for some unforgettable comedic moments.

Here, we delve into ten of the funniest The Far Side comics featuring Santa Claus. After you enjoy these laughs, don’t forget to participate in our poll at the end of this article to select your favorite Gary Larson depiction of Kris Kringle!

10. Venison

Santa Claus’ Reindeer Relations Take a Dark Turn

far side comic where santa bullies his reindeer

In a characteristic twist, Larson humorously transforms Santa from a benevolent figure into an intimidating leader, humorously threatening to serve his complaining reindeer as dinner. This dark humor is further enriched by another strip where Santa appears to be compiling a cookbook of venison recipes for each of his reindeer, from Dasher to Rudolph.

Larson expertly crafts these scenarios using familiar characters, allowing readers to quickly grasp the comedic punchline through a shared cultural understanding.

9. Tiny, Little Reindeer

A Playful Twist on ‘The Night Before Christmas’

far side santa comic tiny little reindeer

While many modern Christmas enthusiasts may overlook it, Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, includes playful hints that Santa may be diminutive in stature. Larson cleverly exaggerates this notion by presenting Santa with an unexpectedly small sleigh and minuscule reindeer, humorously illustrating the humorous misunderstanding of Santa’s expectations.

It’s a comical thought that the inclusion of Rudolph might save the day as Santa attempts to traverse the world within a single night.

8. What the Hell?

A Comical Mix-Up for Santa and Mrs. Claus

far side comic where santa mixes up his sack

In this comic, Larson crafts an amusing scenario where Santa mistakenly takes a sack of dirty laundry instead of gifts while delivering presents. Notably, this strip breaks from The Far Side tradition of single-panel gags, illustrating Larson’s early exploration into multi-panel storytelling in comics.

7. Santa Claus Lane

Larson Puts a Dark Spin on a Beloved Christmas Carol

far side comic joking on here comes santa claus right down santa claus lane

Larson comically reinterprets the joyous lyrics of Gene Autry’s Here Comes Santa Claus, instead portraying a grim scenario of Santa recklessly running someone over. This transformation highlights Larson’s knack for flipping expectations, leaving readers hilariously startled.

6. Collision

Santa Faces Unexpected Challenges

Depicting Santa encountering a plane mid-flight, Larson effectively creates visual humor without dialogue. This comic exemplifies his talent for turning mundane logistics into comedic gold, with scattered gifts adding to the scene’s hilarity.

5. He’s Got the Red Suit On

Elves Plot a Hilarious Rebellion Against Santa

This entertaining strip shows Santa’s elves staging a revolt, employing a bull to charge at him—believing the animal’s reaction is due to the color red. However, they may be misinformed, as bulls are color-blind and the idea of them reacting to red is merely a myth. This gag raises questions about the elves’ motivations and illustrates Larson’s sharp wit.

4. Little Helpers

Santa’s Darker Side is Revealed in Court

In a gripping courtroom scene, Larson depicts Santa as a potential murderer, with Mrs. Claus alluded to as a victim. Faced with the repercussions of his actions, Santa implicates his “little helpers,”suggesting they may have ulterior motives and dark secrets of their own.

3. Not Even a Mouse

Larson Puts a Comedic Spin on a Classic Carol

Bringing back elements from A Visit from St. Nicholas, Larson wittily suggests that the reason no animal was stirring is that Santa has already stepped on the infamous mouse. Known for its absurd visuals, this comic captures Larson’s knack for combining tragedy and humor.

2. Doberman

A Perfectly Timed Wordless Comic

In this brilliantly executed wordless strip, Santa navigates the chimney unaware of the Doberman waiting to greet him. The single panel captures the moment just before impending chaos, showcasing Larson’s ability to evoke laughter through visual storytelling.

1. Maybe This Is the Year

Santa’s Iconic Red Suit Questions His Courage

far side comic where santa has a blue suit

Our top pick features Larson uncovering that Santa wears his iconic red suit due to his fear of donning the blue attire he truly desires. Contrary to popular belief, the red suit’s origins are not merely a Coca-Cola marketing ploy but rather trace back to the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, who also donned red robes while bestowing gifts.

These are just ten of the most entertaining The Far Side comics featuring Santa Claus. Be sure to share your favorite below as we celebrate the comedic genius of Gary Larson!

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