Top 10 Science-Related Far Side Comics

By August Tales

The Wacky World of Science in The Far Side Comics

Gary Larson’s “The Far Side” serves up a unique, often disconcerting perspective on life. The comic frequently utilizes common life elements. It douses them in absurdity. Interestingly, the scientific realm was a favorite theme.

Larson hilariously instrumentalizes science. Its professionals become some of the funniest recurring characters of all time. Not always needing to deride science entirely, these comics ultimately focus on making science the heart of their humour.

Even Scientists Scream for Ice Cream

With all human tech advancements, artificial refrigeration remains crucial yet underappreciated. It revolutionized food processing and preservation. It made seasonal foods readily available all year round.

Ice cream stands as a prime example. Its popularity has inspired countless songs internationally. Larson captures this in one of The Far Side comics: scientists enthralled by the call of an ice cream truck.

Probing Common Idioms

Over centuries medical science made enormous strides. Yet mysteries remain, requiring relentless study for discovery. In one comic, Larson showcases this principle creatively.

A team of medical professionals decides to test the saying “laughter is the best medicine”. It doesn’t seem successful. Yet the doctors forge on with their hilarious experiment.

The Absence of Rocket Scientists

“I’m not a rocket scientist” is a familiar saying when confronted with a complex problem. In Larson’s The Far Side, this phrase assumes a literal, comic connotation.

The comic depicts an absurd scenario. Professionals, clueless about rocket science, attempt launching a homemade rocket. The shallowness of their scientific understanding adds humor to the scene.

Stone Age Scientists and Tools

Long before modern technology, humanity made vital discoveries using simplistic tools. Larson’s Stone Age scientists in The Far Side put a hilarious spin on this.

These prehistoric humans have fashioned themselves a gigantic microscope. Or a mammoth-scope, considering what’s under scrutiny. It’s an unnecessary but humorously ambitious invention.

Scientific Pranks and Mathematicians

Mathematicians have a knack for expressing concepts in numerical functions. But not all translations are of noble intent or benign. Larson’s comic features mathematicians prone to mischief.

The pranksters convert the phrase “kick me” into a mathematical function. Although the joke may elude some, their peers will certainly appreciate the gag. Reader anticipation for the inevitable prank’s fallout adds comedic effect.

Dog Scientists and Door Handles

Domestic life offers dogs comfort and companionship. Yet challenges exist. The mystery of rounded door handles being one.

In Larson’s universe, dog scientists work determinedly to decipher the ‘Doorknob Principle’. Their attempts add an absurdly funny layer to domestic dog life.

Exact Ethics in Science

Scientists must consider the ethical aspects of their work. This goes beyond long-term effects towards permissible testing methods. Larson brings this complex issue to light humorously.

A comic features a scientist testing the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right”. His math reveals how to turn wrongs into a right. While comically depicted, the ethical dilemma therein is thought-provoking.

Silent Canine Companions

Dog owners often wish they could understand their pet. In one comic, a scientist offers a glimpse into a dog’s mind. The findings are hilariously unenlightening.

An Unforgettable Far Side Word – Thagomizer

Through his prehistoric characters, Larson leaves an indelible mark on academia. A comic strip humorously coins the term “Thagomizer”. It has since been accepted informally in paleontology, blurring the line between Larson’s comic universe and our real world.

A Misguided Prank and The Big Bang

Some Far Side scientists are notably ordinary. Bored by mundane work, they resort to silly antics. One comic illustrates this tragically comic scenario perfectly. A scientist’s ill-timed joke, popping a paper bag balloon, may trigger an unexpected catastrophic event.

A creation of writer Gary Larson and published by Universal Press Syndicate, The Far Side’s blend of absurdity and insight continues to captivate readers. The richly humorous lens it casts on science, among other themes, makes it an enduring genre standout.