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Entertainment • Comic Strip

The Far Side

The Far Side is a single-panel comic strip created by Gary Larson.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Far Side is a single-panel comic strip created by American cartoonist Gary Larson. It debuted on January 1, 1980, and became known for its surreal, offbeat humour, strong use of animals and science themes, and wide newspaper syndication. The strip was widely read in Canadian newspapers and book collections, making it part of North American comic-strip culture, including Canadian English-language readership.

History

The Far Side began in 1980 and ran for 15 years in newspapers before Larson retired from daily cartooning in 1995. It was first syndicated by Chronicle Features and later by Universal Press Syndicate.

Style and themes

The strip is best known for one-panel gags built around surreal logic, science jokes, animals, and uncomfortable or absurd situations. Its style was widely seen as unusual compared with conventional newspaper comics.

Reception and influence

The comic became highly popular despite its reputation for being odd or provocative. It was widely syndicated, translated into multiple languages, and collected in many bestselling book editions.

Later publications

After Larson stopped the original run, The Far Side continued to appear in reprints and collections. New Far Side material was also posted online beginning in 2020.

Key facts

  • The Far Side was created by American cartoonist Gary Larson and first appeared in 1980.
  • It is a single-panel comic known for surreal, awkward, and sometimes dark humour.
  • The strip was syndicated in more than 1,900 newspapers and translated into 17 languages.
  • Its subject matter often included animals, nature, science, and bizarre social situations.
  • Larson ended the original newspaper run in 1995; new material later appeared online.
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Canadian context

The Far Side was widely read in Canadian newspapers and book collections, and its syndicated format made it part of North American comic-strip culture, including Canadian English-language readership.

Frequently asked questions

Who created The Far Side?
The Far Side was created by Gary Larson.
When did The Far Side first appear?
It debuted on January 1, 1980.
When did the original run end?
The original newspaper run ended in 1995.
What is The Far Side known for?
It is known for surreal, often science-related humour, with frequent use of animals and bizarre everyday situations.
How widely was it syndicated?
It appeared in more than 1,900 newspapers and was translated into 17 languages.
Did new Far Side strips appear after 1995?
Yes. Larson began offering new Far Side strips online in 2020 after a long hiatus.

References

  1. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/far-side
    Supports: Debut year, creator, single-panel format, popularity, syndication, translations, and collections.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Far-Side
    Supports: Gary Larson as creator and the original 15-year run from 1980 to 1995.
  3. Lambiek Comiclopedia — https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/larson_gary.htm
    Supports: Creator, debut date, syndication history, and the strip's absurd, black humour.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Far_Side
    Supports: Additional details on themes, syndication, original run, and the return of new strips online in 2020.