Summary
- Far Side creator Gary Larson's unique take on squids, which he seemed to consider particularly as humorous creatures, provides a way of gaining insight into his creative mind.
- The recurring adventures of squids in Far Side comics may not have been among the most frequent animal species depicted by writer/artist Gary Larson, but they are certainly among the most memorable.
- Larson's obsession with giant squids is evident in the absurd and hilarious scenarios depicted in his strips, from giant squids being kept as pets, to "medium-sized" squids and how they are just not as intimidating.
One of the most recurring memorable bits from use of giant squid. Though they didn't appear as frequently as some of the other animals Gary Larson' liked to use in his comic strip, squids were featured in some of the stand-out absurd Far Side installments.
Gary Larson's fascination with wildlife extended from the household pet, to the deepest reaches of the rain forest, and the darkest depths of the ocean floor. Squids – along with the occasional octopus – were treated by Larson as among the silliest creatures in his idiosyncratic version of the animal kingdom, though at times they could be as dangerous as any other creature, from gorillas to humans themselves. The Far Side's recurring use of squids for humor offers a unique insight into Gary Larson's creative mind, making it worthwhile to collect and revisit them.
Gary Larson's Far Side ran from 1980 to 1995. These strips are selected from the years 1981 through 1986.
10 Funniest Far Side Comics Starring Apes
The Far Side's absurd world depicted a thriving animal kingdom, with apes & gorillas of all sizes appearing in many of Gary Larson's funniest strips.
10 Science Thanks You, Mr. Farnsworth
First Published: May 1, 1981
This Far Side squid is anchored by the humorous image of a man with a giant squid coiled around him, but the true comedy comes from the context, as this "Mr. Farnsworth" has been rescued by a group of marine biologists, whose primary motivation is to study the squid, rather than liberate the shell-shocked diver. While the squid squints in consternation, the scientists measure it, hose it down, and excitedly prepare for the "rare opportunity" to study the deep sea creature afforded by Farnsworth's haphazard encounter.
9 The Far Side Mines The Depths Of Relationship Drama
First Published: May 13, 1981
Technically, yes, the animal depicted here is an octopus, rather than a squid. Given the frequency with which squid appeared in Far Side strips, it is interesting that octopi were seldom featured. In any event, this is funny enough to warrant inclusion, as it depicts an octopus smiling penitently, covered in suction marks, as his wife angrily remarks: "I suppose you got those...at the meeting too!" What makes this particularly funny is the stray fish floating overhead as they argue, with a look of pure neutral sympathy on its face for both parties involved in the conflict.
8 Gary Larson Has A "Medium-Sized" Obsession With Squids
First Published: November 11, 1983
The Far Side often featured giant squid, as Gary Larson rightly assessed it to be the funniest type of squid in the sea. This stand-out lampoons its own tendency, and the results are hilarious.
The Far Side often featured giant squid, as Gary Larson rightly assessed it to be the funniest type of squid in the sea. This stand-out lampoons its own tendency, and the results are hilarious. Here, a fisherman leans over the side of his boat and exclaims: "Look out everyone, we're being attacked by a giant sq...well, no...I'd say a medium squid!" Though the humor comes from the idea that the fishermen in the boat immediately perceive this squid as less threatening than its giant cousins, knowing The Far Side, they are still likely in for trouble.
7 Jumping The Fence
First Published: February 17, 1984
Giant squids were depicted as erstwhile pets in multiple Far Side strips – though here, author Gary Larson's out-of-context use of this giant amphibious creature evokes as much sympathy as it does humor. Here, a concerned-looking squid hides in an alley, as around the corner its irate owner stomps closer, looking for it, a sharp stick in hand. "Jump the fence again, will he?" the owner angrily mutters to himself, taking a situation familiar to countless dog owners and highlighting the absurdity of getting with a pet for escaping, rather than displaying paramount concern for its safety.
6 Squid Kids on The Block
First Published: May 25, 1984
As with many of the best Far Side strips, human behavior is artfully satirized through the use of animals.
This arch-silly Far Side squid takes the familiar squabbles of adolescent siblings sharing a bedroom, and transposes the slippery, tentacled sea-creatures on to the situation. "Just to keep your tentacles on your own side," one young squid shouts at his brother Jerry, who returns a look of consternation. As with many of the best Far Side strips, human behavior is artfully satirized through the use of animals. Notably, the simple caption – "the squid kids at home" – accentuates the joke here, underlining its absurdist punchline just as the one squid kid's dialogue is underlined, for emphasis.
5 One Of The Far Side's Weirdest Pets
First Published: July 13, 1984
Perhaps Far Side strip featuring a giant squid, this one focuses on a man ushering a guest into his apartment, most of which is occupied by a large, angry-looking deep sea creature. "Oh no, he's quite harmless," the homeowner assures his visitor, before immediately undermining any comfort by adding: "Just don't show any fear. Squids can sense fear." The squid's expression, of course, is what makes this so funny, as the erstwhile pet is clearly agitated by this intrusion, while the new arrival is almost certainly afraid.
4 It's A Busy Day At The Shelter When Two Squids Come In
First Published: September 20, 1984
This Far Side is amusing on several levels. On the surface, the idea of not one, but two giant squids in pens at the dog pound is certainly supremely absurd, but Gary Larson doubles down by having one of these evidently domesticated creatures being retrieved by its owner – who even has a hard time telling the squids apart himself, as the caption features him exclaiming: "Oh! Wait! Wait! My mistake! That's him down there!" While readers can feel relieved that one pet squid has been reunited with its owner, they must feel sympathy for the other squid.
3 Unfortunately, Harry's Is The Only Game In Town
First Published: January 28, 1985
Certainly one of Gary Larson's most absurd Far Side strips featuring a squid, this is also one of the most blatantly funny. For whatever reason, a giant squid has invaded a couple's living room, and ensnared the husband in its grip. The wife promptly calls "Harry's squid-be-gone," only to receive no answer. In a rare Far Side depicting multiple locations, the delightfully split-image reveals a sign hanging on the front doorknob to Harry's shop, proclaiming "back in a jiffy," though perhaps too late to save the unfortunate homeowner here.
2 It Took Gary Larson A Surprisingly Long Time To Tell This Joke
First Published: June 21, 1985
Of course, [Gary] Larson could only have depicted an animal with multiple appendages for so long without drawing it checking its watch at least once.
Here, the destructive nature of Far Side's giant squid is offset by one of Gary Larson's silliest jokes. Of course, Larson could only have depicted an animal with multiple appendages for so long without drawing it checking its watch at least once, as is the case here. In the midst of enveloping and sinking a ship, the giant squid happens to catch sight of the watch on one of its tentacles, thinking: "Whoa! 6:30? I'm in trouble now!" Where the squid needs to get to, or what it is late for, is hilariously left up to Far Side's readers to imagine.
1 The Most Incredible Journey Of All: To The Far Side
First Published: February 19, 1986
Gary Larson's Far Side was famous for regularly using animals as its focal characters, most notably as a result of his fixation on snakes. This pokes self-aware fun at his recurring creatures, as a squid, a snake, and a cow team up for some kind of epic quest. What makes this great is the way Larson frames this trio in the distance, as viewed by an elderly human couple on their front porch, as one of them notes, with Far Side's familiar biting wit: "Looks like another one of those stupid Incredible Journey things."
- Writer
- Gary Larson
- Colorist
- Gary Larson
The Far Side is a humorous comic series developed by Gary Larson. The series has been in production since 1979 and features a wide array of comic collections, calendars, art, and other miscellaneous items.
