The Far Side became legendary for its out-of-this-world perspective on the foibles of human existence, with Gary Larson’s comics often carrying the underlying message that life on Earth was a big cosmic joke. Time and again, Larson’s punchlines reminded readers that the universe was laughing at them, not with them.
The humor of The Far Side often involved a degree of alienation – an effect Larson achieved repeatedly throughout the years by using actual aliens in Far Side panels, as well as monsters, anthropomorphized animals, and other recurring character types and elements that upended readers’ conception of things.
At times, this included taking an extraterrestrial view of Earth itself, or otherwise, crafting panels that prompted readers to ruminate on the truly startling scope and grandeur of existence in comparison to themselves.
10 From The Start Of The Far Side, Gary Larson Was Interested In Asking The Big Questions
First Published: July 9, 1980
Before Gary Larson ventured into outer space itself with The Far Side, he had already established that the comic’s cosmology was one in which the beings of Earth playe just a small – some would say insignificant – role in the grand scheme of things. Here, two ants sit on a mushroom, staring up at the stars, as one notes that the vastness of space leads them to
10 Hilarious Far Side Comics That Remind Readers the Universe Is Laughing At Us (Definitely Not With Us)
