Comics like
The Far Side
are enjoyable and relatable, partly because they explore a broad range of subjects. Developed by Gary Larson,
The Far Side
depicts all sorts of scenes ranging from everyday occurrences to outlandish extraterrestrial adventures, and much more. This naturally encompasses a wide array of topics, including comic strips about cuisine. It seems challenging to find humor in produce like fruits and veggies, yet Larson manages to do so with flair.
A lot of individuals experience a mix of affection and aversion towards fruits and vegetables. Even though there are usually some they enjoy, others can be quite off-putting visually, or even more unpleasant when consumed. This explains why numerous readers find such jokes familiar and potentially deserving of a hearty laugh or two.
The Far Side Features Children Swearing Over Asparagus
First Published: May 24, 1993
“Failed marketing ploys”
Most people probably know at least one variation of the ice cream song (or is it a chant?). The one that calls for kids to scream for ice cream. It rhymes, it’s funny, and people of all ages love it. Here, Larson imagines a different sort of marketing campaign, one that is probably better left to the drawing board because this one would cause many problems.
As this
Far Side
TV comedies; the issue with depending on rhyming promotional tactics is that
They won’t always be successful.
For instance, try your luck coming up with an organic rhyme for “banana.” Similarly, this unsuccessful marketing attempt struggled immensely to find a rhyme for “asparagus,” which might amuse some but certainly wouldn’t be appreciated by most parents, to put it mildly.
This Far Side comic presents horror tales about carrots.
Initially Released: January 21, 1980
And next, they pulled him from the earth, removed his skin while he was still breathing, cooked him, and consumed him. That’s all. Now it’s time for bed!
It’s funny how telling horror stories before bed became a thing. At some point, one would think that most parents realized these spooky stories only further wake their children up. While the goal may be to scare them into behaving, no level of fear will help a child fall asleep on command. Yet the trend lives on in comics and stories, if nowhere else.
In this
Far Side
comic, a very frustrated carrot parent is telling the horrible story of a farmer
It starts with the farmer pulling out a carrot from the soil, cleansing it, and peeling it. Afterward, the farmer proceeds to consume the carrot. Sounds like an ordinary tale, doesn’t it? However, one can imagine that the young carrots might have quite different feelings about this narrative since none of them look forward to the prospect of maturing only to end up as food.
The Far Side’s Club Citrus Has Strict Membership
Originally Released: January 2, 1991
“Forbidden fruit”
Many people enjoy tales about elite groups and similar scenarios. This concept serves as an ideal basis for various genres of storytelling, spanning from dramatic narratives all the way to horror, with plenty of room for comedies too. It can easily set the stage for humorous situations as well.
The Far Side
swiftly alerts readers. In this section, readers will encounter an entirely distinct kind of club, one that caters exclusively to particular varieties of fruit. Indeed, fruit.
Club Citrus stands as the premier club in town.
The Far Side
universe
However, everyone must adhere to one main rule: no green fruits are permitted. While ripe bananas, grapes, apples, and pineapples are all welcomed members of this group, an unripe mango simply won’t do. It’s not accepted into this circle and will have to mature a bit more before being considered for inclusion again.
Even Apples Have Embarrassing Moments in The Far Side
Originally Released: February 19, 1991
Andy glanced up in terror. Directly before Sally, a worm was poking out of his forehead—and he could feel his face growing even hotter with embarrassment.
This might strike pretty close to home for anyone who has navigated their teen years. Many individuals recall at least one awkward instance involving an ill-timed zit. These skin imperfections tend to show up precisely when they seem designed to spoil significant moments in a teenager’s existence—be it a romantic encounter, a social event like a prom, or even a theatrical production. There’s always some kind of unfortunate timing involved.
To some extent, it’s reassuring to understand that fruits would essentially experience the same process.
Larson’s cartoon featuring apples narrates the tale of an exceedingly unfortunate chap who suddenly had a worm emerge from his head.
right in front of his companion
! Oh, the timing of it all. What a shame. Is it possible for a red apple to blush?
Newton’s Apples Make an Appearance in The Far Side
Initially Released: June 23, 1981
Still nothing. … What about you, Newton?
Many individuals are familiar with the tale of how Isaac Newton developed his ideas about the law of gravitation. One day, as the scientist sat outdoors, an apple dropped from a tree and hit him on the head! Nonetheless,
The Far Side
opted to play around with this concept by gathering a group of physicists beneath the shade of trees to observe how events unfold.
Unfortunately for Newton, the apple hanging over his head is unusually large and quite concerning.
It raises an interesting question: what would Newton’s theory have looked like if he had been struck with a bigger piece of fruit? Would the story or theory have changed at all? Regardless, this comic is light and funny, worthy of a chuckle.
The Far Side Uncovers Deep Musings of Bananas
Originally Released: January 12, 1984
You know, Sid, I genuinely enjoy bananas. … It might sound simple enough. … Sure thing! Most of us do. … However, with me, I believe it’s more than just that.
For generations, humanity has fixated on the notion that all primates have an affinity for bananas. Several theories explain this fixation; one of them being that monkeys consume bananas in their natural habitat along with numerous other types of fruit. As humans began housing these creatures in zoos more frequently, this belief intensified—likely due to the affordability of bananas coupled with the entertainment derived from observing monkeys skillfully peeling them.
In this comic,
Gary Larson envisions a monkey addressing the great banana controversy, admitting that he was quite fond of bananas.
. He knows that, realistically, there doesn’t need to be a profound reason to like bananas, yet it feels like an important part of his story. It’s almost as if the primate had some secret commentary about humanity’s obsession with the subject.
Picking Fights With Bananas in The Far Side
Originally Released: June 1, 1983
Oh, is that so? …. Well, if there’s anything I hate worse than a big, stupid carrot, it’s a big, stupid banana!”
Bar fights feel like they happen all the time, at least in
comics and movies
. Usually, they start because somebody said something stupid, resulting in somebody else taking offense. A classic story, right? So, obviously, Larson had to take that classic story and flip it on its head. In this comic, the trope is alive and well, but the targets have changed.
Rather than a bunch of individuals starting arguments,
this
Far Side
The comic depicts an impending conflict between humans and fruits/vegetables.
A presumably intoxicated and irate individual has mockingly targeted both carrots and bananas, suggesting he’s heading for a difficult evening ahead. Let’s hope he won’t require any potassium shortly. Despite being a rather absurd cartoon, this scenario somehow manages to be amusingly peculiar.
The Far Side Illustrates How a Vegetarian Hunt Would Appear
Initially Released: May 8, 1984
Vegetarian hunters upon their return from the hunt
Every time individuals discover information regarding the early stages
human cultures
, there tends to be an extensive discussion regarding hunter-gatherer societies.
The Far Side
combines the two into one, sort of. In this comic, the gatherers have become the hunters, as a group of early vegetarians are successfully returning from their hunt, but there’s a twist. Instead of coming home with a slaughtered critter, they have a giant carrot in tow.
This
Far Side
comic has so many layers
Starting with premises centered around vegetarianism, we encounter the concept of a prehistoric carrot—did it genuinely resist being eaten, or was it just exceptionally difficult to extract from the soil? As you delve deeper into this comic, it becomes increasingly amusing and bizarre. This seems to have been Chuck Schumer’s aim all along, much like his usual approach.
(Note: There appears to be an error in your original sentence where “Larson” likely should not refer to someone named after a politician such as Chuck Schumer. I’ve kept names unchanged but please verify their appropriateness.)
A Hazardous Chase Unfolds on The Far Side
First Published: Sep. 4, 1988
Drenched in juice and whooping joyfully, Neanderthals slice into their preferred prey, the woolly watermelon.
A few years afterward, Gary Larson revisited the concept of the
ancient hunt for produce
In 1984, the cartoon showed vegetarians chasing after a carrot, yet in 1988, he depicted Neanderthals hunting and slaughtering a woolly melon. Give it a try—say that five times quickly. This comic strip is absurd, peculiar, and complex. For starters, why would anyone desire to consume a hairy watermelon?
Similar to the comic about hunting carrots,
this
The Far Side
The comic alters with each glance.
Initially, it might seem amusing but slightly unsettling due to the entire fuzzy fruit concept. However, when you think about how violently folks are hacking away at their meals from within, it becomes somewhat disturbing, particularly considering the enormity of those seeds.
In The Far Side World, Bananas Can Be Scared Yellow
First Published: Oct. 9, 1987
Okay. The bank’s open. … Now, I know you’re scared, Ramone. … Obviously, we’re all a little yellow.”
Throughout history, society has often explored the connection between fear and the color yellow. The term “yellow-bellied” emerged during the 1800s as a derogatory expression meant to suggest someone lacked courage. Similarly, another idiom like “lily-livered” conveys the same idea. These phrases lead us all to consider
this
Far Side
The comic illustrates yellow bananas on the verge of initiating a heist.
.
The mainbanana is conversing with another one called Ramone, who
apparently looks terrified
(He’s likely the one not wearing sunglasses.)
Ramone’s leader tries to lighten the mood by making a yellow banana joke, but given the rising tensions thanks to the crime they’re planning on committing, it’s safe to assume the joke fell flat.
Positively, readers can continue to relish the jest, recognizing the multi-layered critique it offers.