The Far Side could be said to be obsessed with many things like fishing, desert islands, monsters, and everyone’s favorite members of the animal kingdom: bugs. While insects can be polarizing, Gary Larson knew how to present his buggie-centric comics in a way that would make readers laugh even if they had deathly fears of creepy crawlies. From roaches to dung beetles to ants, any insect imaginable was featured in The Far Side, with no pests left out.

Insects are not the first creatures to be featured front and center in The Far Side by a long shot, but it could be argued that they are one of the most common. With many hilarious and clever comics to choose from, The Far Side strips that utilize insects as their characters all have Gary Larson’s trademark dark and surreal tilt, being endlessly enjoyable and ultimately timeless.

10

“Get It Off Me!”

Published in 1981

It’s a dreaded moment when it feels like a bug is on you. That feeling turns out to be mutual as shown in this Far Side comic. Given that The Far Side always shows the world in a topsy-turvy sort of way, an alternate universe where bugs are the humans and humans are the bugs seems par for the course.

The old saying of “they’re more scared of you than you are of them” applies to this comic where a scared beetle-like insect freaks out at the idea of a human on his back, desperate to get it off them. Gary Larson shows his unique ability to make comics that are relatable, yet feature the most surreal setting and with the most surreal characters. Everyone is able to relate to the bug in the comic, despite the featured character being the feared creature itself.

9

“Daddy Long-Leg Jerks”

Published in 1988

Most can agree that cat-callers fall among the biggest jerks of the population. This appears to be a sentiment that Gary Larson agrees with, as seen in this comic, with even spiders not being innocent. When daddy long-leg spiders yell out lines at a lady spider, they comment on her long gams, making her species name appropriate and the species name that Gary Larson gives the rude spiders more than apt.

Daddy long-legs are very easy to recognize, courtesy of their mile-long legs and small bodies, something Gary Larson utilizes in this comic. The recognition of the kind of spiders in the strip is necessary to get the caption and the ensuing joke, making it something that bug enthusiasts and the layperson alike could easily understand. While spiders are typically something most people try to avoid, these specific jerky spiders are doubly ones to keep away from with a 10-foot pole.

8

“The Ant Who Cried Aardvark”

Published in 1993

“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is a famous and enduring fable that warns children against lying. In The Far Side, ants have a version of the Aesop Fable, except their iteration is called “The Ant Who Cried Aardvark.” Evidently, this version of the story has been terrifying young ants as long as the human version has. For those who do not have any sort of zoological interest, aardvarks have a diet that consists mainly of ants, which they obtain through using their sharp claws to dig the insects out of their ant holes.

No wonder the little ants look petrified in their beds hearing the story. It’s perfectly normal for any creature to be scared of their natural predator, making the ants’ version of the classic fable a wise choice. Based on the appearance of the child ants, it’s safe to say they won’t tell a lie for a very long time.

7

“Buzz Off”

Published in 1988

The dating scene can be a real bummer for humans and bugs alike, as noted by this silly Far Side work. Pick-up lines can range from the cheesy to the creepy. Here, one insect sitting at a bar interprets a nearby butterfly’s very real concern as an abysmal pick-up line instead.

Despite the cynical bug’s view that the butterfly is lying, the butterfly’s claim is actually based in science. Once a caterpillar has turned into a butterfly, their most important goal (other than staying alive) is securing a mate that they will spend the rest of their life with, short as it is. The Far Side loved to blend science and humor, with this bug-centered strip just one example. Using the mating habits of a butterfly as the set-up for a joke taking place in an insect bar, a clever and otherworldly comic is created.

6

“Holey Moley, Loretta!”

Published in 1984

The sensation of a creepy crawly on someone’s back is something that’s perfectly natural to loathe and fear. One never knows if the bug in question is a harmless little thing or if it’s a huge, dangerous threat. The former would be pretty inconsequential, but the latter would be something to write about, especially if Gary Larson is the author.

As a couple of tourists (or explorers) trek through the jungle, the man gets an unfortunate up close view of a gigantic fly that rivals King Kong on his companion Loretta’s back. Not only is the fly a behemoth with wings, it is also capable of wreaking some serious damage as seen by what the mega-fly has done to the guy’s stick. The comic is darkly funny with an ominous outcome seemingly imminent for the pair, but presented in such an outrageous way that it is too funny to take seriously.

5

“Plain Dangerous”

Published in 1986

Magnifying glasses are an ant’s worst enemy, posing a huge threat, especially on a sunny day. Therefore, it is an absolutely terrible decision for an ant to keep a magnifying glass in their house; a disaster is just waiting to happen. It’s easy to understand where the ant who is against the glass is coming from. Who wants a piece of furniture in their house that could kill them?

Gary Larson paints a domestic picture, but instead of humans as the subjects, it’s the insect everyone knows and somewhat tolerates: ants. Comparing the magnifying glass to a work of art or a piece of furniture that couples disagree on in the human world, the otherwise surreal comic becomes more relatable, albeit in typical Far Side fashion. Given the danger of the magnifying glass, the numerous ant kids roaming around decrease if the household fixture stays with the ant family.

4

“Shoe”

Published in 1991

To be a bug is not an easy life. There are constant threats from all directions and just about everything is bigger than them. There have no doubt been a number of close calls for bugs all over the world. Gary Larson recognizes this dangerous fact of insect existence and gives it its own comic strip.

At some sort of presentation, a public speaker is announced as being the squashed author of the autobiography titled, Shoe. This hilarious comic leaves little to the imagination of why the buggie author has named his autobiography Shoe. The poor author has survived the near-death experience of being stomped on, using his traumatic experience in a harrowing autobiography. What the smooshed bug has gone through has captured the attention of roach and beetle creatures, commanding an auditorium of eager listeners. It’s another classic example of Larson showing a normal occurrence but with outlandish characters and world.

3

“Dungarees”

Published in 1993

Dung beetles have a bad reputation among the bug kingdom; they’re like the insect equivalent of people who never shower. At least, that’s the case in The Far Side. This comic sees two dung beetles walk into a fancy party where everyone is dressed up in evening wear, while the dung beetles are dressed in casual clothes and jeans, also known as dungarees. Apparently, the other guests expected that the dung beetles would show up in their dirty dungarees. Who would’ve thought that bugs could be so snooty and judgmental?

Regardless, the comic serves as an example of Gary Larson’s love of wordplay, using the common ground words of dung beetle and dungarees to describe a madcap scene. The insects in fancy clothes present images straight out of a weird dream, or a nightmare for those with Entomophobia. The dung beetles being cast as pariahs only adds to the kooky vibe.

2

“That’s The Insecticide!”

Published in 1985

Flies are called pests for a reason; they’re super annoying! As a result, humans have created a vast number of insect killers that range from the chemical to the physical like the fly swatter or the good old fashioned rolled up magazine. While those innovations help reduce irritation on the human side, they increase tensions for bugs (understandbly).

With insecticide nearby in The Far Side, danger is close at hand with one unobservant fly thinking that they are getting air freshener when in reality it is bug killer. Confusing insecticide for air refresher is not a mistake a fly wants to make, as seen by the angry fly’s reaction to the mixup. Based on the image, it may be too late for these flies, as evidenced by some of the flies looking keeled over or on their backs like a dead insect typically looks.

1

“Even We Lice Have Parasites”

Published in 1988

In-laws can be contentious, even becoming the bane of existence for some unlucky folks. Gary Larson posits that bugs have this same disdain for their in-laws. When a lice remarks to her husband that his relatives are about to stop by, she makes the biting yet likely accurate comment that even they — who are actual, literal parasites — can have parasites, in the figurative sense (i.e., in-laws). The irony of the whole situation is not lost on the lice who makes the stinging burn, who sees the ridiculousness of it all.

Obsessed with multiple species of the animal kingdom, Larson truly enjoyed postioning insects in domestic situations and settings. By doing this, he was able to make humdrum places and scenarios nightmarish while maintaining a humorous outlook, with this comic being a perfect example. The Far Side is renowned and adored for its nutty sense of humor, and its obsession with insects is yet another off-kilter but funny component of the comic strip.