Given that Gary Larson’sThe Far Sidecomics originally ran from 1980 to 1995, it’s no surprise that many of them feel like relics of their time. Some jokes may go over younger audiences’ heads, as they are deeply rooted in the culture and context of the 20th century, reflecting that era far more than the 21st.
That said, Larson’s comics still resonate with modern audiences, thanks to their timeless wit and absurdity. However, there’s a special group of comics that will likely strike a deeper chord with those who lived through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. These comics capture the trends, fads, pop culture moments, and humor of those decades. Here are some of Gary Larson’s best and most hilariousFar Sidecomics that feel like little time capsules from the past.
10This Is Your Egg on Bugs
A Parody of the Classic 80s Anti-Drug PSA
Beyond the clashing color scheme and box-set TV, this chicken-starringFar Sidecomic will undoubtedly be especially funnyto 80s kids who remember being bombarded with the“Partnership for a Drug-Free America”commercial. This anti-drug ad attempted to demonstrate the harmful effects on the human brain using an egg metaphor. A man in the commercial held up a pristine chicken egg to represent a healthy brain, then cracked it into a hot frying pan to represent the brain on drugs.As the egg sizzled, he announced,“This is your brain on drugs.”
Modern audiences have criticized this PSA as a bizarre relic of the past, and Larson seems to find humor in it as well. His chickens watch a similar commercial that says,“This is your egg. This is your egg covered in bugs.”The absurdity of the comic mirrors the original commercial’s intensity in a way that’s both mocking and memorable.
9The Far Side Captures the True Horror of 70s Shag Carpets
A Retro Design Nightmare That Swallowed a Generation
This Far Sidecomicmay trigger PTSD flashbacks for readers who lived through the era of 70s shag carpet.Once considered trendy, shag carpeting has aged poorly and is now seen as a major design misstep. It was known for its long, loose fibers that formed a thick, shaggy texture. Today, it is considered outdated, difficult to clean, and often viewed as tacky. Most interior designers would be horrified by it. That is why Bob and Francine being devoured by the“La Brea Carpets”in the comic works so well as a metaphor. It captures the danger of leaning too hard into design trends that don’t stand the test of time.
8Darkrooms: A Flashback to Photography’s Past
UFO Evidence Lost to Cookies and a Ruined Roll
The punchline of thisFar Sidecomicmight be lost on younger readers who know photography only as tapping a phone screen.This comic takes place in a darkroom, a space once essential for developing photographs from film. In the strip, a man is processing a roll that appears to contain photographic proof of a UFO. Unfortunately, his mom opens the door to offer him cookies, ruining the evidence by letting in light. Larson uses this nostalgic setup to show how something as monumental as alien life can be undone by a mother’s well-meaning interruption.
7The Dating GameGets aFar SideTwist
A Slithering Parody of a Classic TV Matchmaking Show
Larson offers a clever spin onThe Dating Gamein this snake-themed comic. For those who don’t remember, the original show ran from 1965 through the late 80s and featured a single contestant choosing between three hidden suitors based solely on their answers to silly or flirtatious questions. In Larson’s version, all the characters are snakes. The contestant asks questions like which fictional rodent the suitors would rather eat.The comic manages to parody both the structure of the show and the absurdity of dating, all while giving readers a funny look into what courtship might be like in the reptile world.
6All 80s Kids Will Remember the Mania ofSuper Mario Bros
A Comic That Predicted the Video Game Boom
Larson rarely touched on video games, but one of his most iconic comics captures a very 80s moment and somehow predicts the future. A young boy is hunched over playingSuper Mario Bros. while his parents look on and imagine him landing a lucrative job as a professional gamer. At the time, this was pure fantasy, but today, playing video games professionally is a real and profitable career.The comic’s connection to the 1985Super Mario Bros.game for the original Nintendo console makes it feel dated,but also surprisingly forward-thinking.
5Remember When“Tacky Christmas”Was Just Regular Christmas?
A Look Back at Colorful Holiday Chaos
Today’s holiday decorating trends often focus on clean lines, neutral palettes, and stylish coordination. But in decades past,Christmas looked very different. The term“Tacky Christmas”has been adopted to describe the vibrant, mismatched decor of earlier generations, butfor kids growing up in the 20th century, that was just called Christmas.ThisFar Sidestrip shows a holiday scene filled with loud ornaments, worn stockings, and a classic Santa. It acts as a reminder that the chaos of past Christmases now lives on as a fashion trend with a new name.
4JAWSWas a Staple of the 70s and 80s
The Shark, the Suspense, and the Soundtrack That Haunts
Anyone who grew up during the 70s or 80s likely remembers the fear thatJawsbrought into their lives.After watching a shark feast on beachgoers, going for a swim was never the same.In thisFar Sidecomic,a massive shark lurks beneath a fishing boat. One of the fishermen says,“There it goes again… that eerie music,”referencing the unforgettableJawstheme song. This small line captures the widespread cultural impact the film had. Larson’s comic manages to take that memory and turn it into something both hilarious and nostalgic.
390s Kids Will Remember the Panic of Chinese Handcuffs
RIP Houdini
Chinese handcuffs were around long before the 90s, but that is when they reached their peak as a childhood fad. They could be found in party favor bags, prize displays, and junk drawers everywhere.Nearly every kid from that era knows the panic of getting their fingers stuck.Larson’s joke that Houdini died from the trap is obviously absurd, but also deeply relatable. Many readers will remember the feeling of thinking they might never get free without a parent’s help. It is a perfect example of how Larson elevates simple childhood memories into brilliant absurdity.
2ForgetGorillas in the Mist:What AboutChickens in the Mist?
A Feathered Twist on a Dramatic Documentary
Larson takes a soft jab at pop culture by referencingGorillas in the Mist, the 1988 biographical film about Dian Fossey and her work with mountain gorillas. In this comic, a rooster and chicken are surrounded by fog as a narrator dramatically observes them, concluding,“They were beautiful, these Chickens in the Mist.”It’s a well-intentioned parody that turns a powerful documentary into something hilariously mundane.As always, Larson’s choice of swapping the gorillasfor his comic-defining chickensshows his talent for taking serious topics and adding just the right amount of silly.
1Is Anything More Nostalgic Than Superman in a Phone Booth?
Even the Man of Steel Checks for Spare Change
While Superman is inarguablystill a modern-day pop culture icon, thisFar Sidestrip screams nostalgia, with the Man of Steel sporting an“S”shield more similar to his 1938Action Comics#1 debut than any recent or modern character design. Furthermore,the fact that Superman is in a telephone booth instantly dates this stripand gives it a distinctly retro feel.
What makes the comic funny, though, is that Larson subverts expectations. Rather than using the booth for its iconic association as a place for Clark Kent to quickly change into Superman, Larson instead shows Superman checking for change in the coin return slot. It seems that in the world ofThe Far Side, not evenSupermancan resist the hope of finding a little spare change.
