10 Funniest Far Side Comics About Love And Relationships

Gary Larson’s The Far Side features not only cavemen and aliens, but also demonstrates the cartoonist’s grasp of the world of romance, as he creates comic strips that reveal both the ugly and the cute sides of relationships. The fun part is that in The Far Side, it’s not just humans who experience the ups and downs of romantic relationships, animals do too, engaging in all sorts of amusing situations where laughter and love are in the air.

The challenges of maintaining relationships, lovers' quarrels, and the moment when love blossoms are some of the themes explored in the Far Side comics. The result is a collection of parodies, puns, and hilarious strips that remain highly relevant even decades later, reflecting love-related situations that many people have experienced in their own lives, all delivered with The Far Side's signature style.

Caught Sharing a Romantic Moment

Published on March 9, 1992

While some The Far Side comics may highlight the lovely side of relationships, they can also poke fun at those that end badly, and this one offers a perfect example, showing a man with all his sheep in one place. In the comic, a man on a romantic dinner date with a sheep is caught in the act by another sheep named Yvonne.

Although it might be better to think Yvonne may be an ex-partner, rather than being a case of infidelity, the man’s awkwardness and the ewe’s annoyed posture upon witnessing the scene suggest otherwise. The funny thing, however, is that the man seems to have maintained his preferences, as he ended up with another ewe. Even so, the fact that he recognized Yvonne immediately makes it difficult for him to claim that he simply mistook her for someone else, or that they both happen to have similar-looking wool.

A Reptilian Confession

Published on December 24, 1984

A relationship can be built not only on a foundation of false pretenses, but also on lies regarding one’s very species. This Far Side comic features a dramatic confession, though, rather than involving a partner’s hidden past or a dishonest account of their profession, it reveals that a Komodo dragon has been masquerading as an ordinary man to get close to a woman named Monica.

The weight of the lies seems to be taking its toll on the Komodo dragon, but the most absurd part is that he mentions that he's the "largest member of the lizard family," a detail that doesn't seem particularly relevant to the confession. It’s unclear whether the Komodo dragon included this because he rehearsed his words too much, but Monica doesn’t seem the least bit impressed by the revelation. Perhaps she knew all along, which is hardly surprising, given that he didn't exactly make much of an effort to hide his tail that's clearly visible from beneath his trench coat.

A Convenient Date Location Goes Wrong

Published on January 28, 1993

A walk on the beach might be considered a low-effort romantic date, but things can go wrong if ulterior motives come to light. In this Far Side strip, a pair of pelicans argue on the beach because the male, Ned, tries to pass off his choice of location as a thoughtful gesture when, in reality, he isn’t thinking about his partner at all but rather about scoring some food, like a crustacean or two.

Ned might genuinely want a date and a meal, but his partner assumes he isn’t being sincere, which reveals a lack of trust and could point to communication issues in the relationship. Either way, the comic showcases Gary Larson’s brilliance as he incorporates the fact that pelicans are opportunistic feeders to illustrate that courtship in a relationship, even in the animal kingdom, should never be taken for granted.

The Physical Signs When a Relationship Isn't Right

Published on August 12, 1980

Some couples are simply incompatible, and the signs are written all over their bodies. In this Far Side strip, a woman tries to break up with her porcupine partner, using the classic line that she doesn’t think their relationship is working. This is more than evident, given that his face is covered with swollen marks after being repeatedly punctured by the porcupine’s quills.

A relationship that "isn't working" is usually due to differing expectations or tastes, not because of a "spiky" boyfriend to the point where a simple hug could cause physical harm. Even so, the woman says it quite calmly while sitting in a restaurant booth with a glass of wine, suggesting there are no hard feelings. In the style of The Far Side, it serves as a brilliant visual punchline, illustrating when someone is clearly forcing a relationship.

Ostriches Have Trouble Facing Relationship Insecurities

Published on January 18, 1985

The Far Side succeeds in anthropomorphizing animals to highlight hilarious relationship clichés and here it uses one of the largest birds: the ostrich. Being attracted to another person’s intelligence is a common human preference, but in this comic, an ostrich assures his partner, Wendy, that he finds her mind attractive, showing that he's interested in more than just her appearance.

Gary Larson chose ostriches precisely because these birds are known for having small brains, and, by extension, limited intellectual capacity. What makes it even funnier is that ostriches are also polygamous. So, perhaps the male is already used to this head-in-the-sand type of lovers' quarrel, and Wendy isn't the first one he’s said this to.

Marital Frustrations Begin to Show For Superman

Published on January 26, 1994

Gary Larson has created several comics featuring Superman, but in this instance, rather than focusing on heroic feats, he explores the character's marriage life. In the comic, Superman’s wife is mending his supersuit, but she takes advantage of the large "S" emblem on his chest to discreetly embroider the word "stupid" into it in small lettering.

This is likely a bit of petty revenge for something Ken, who is sitting nearby reading the Daily Planet, has done. Even superheroes are not immune to the unspoken frustrations that can arise in a marriage; yet, resolving these minor disagreements can help restore marital bliss. Even so, fortunately, Ken only has to worry about his super suit and not about his wife suddenly pulling out some kryptonite.

There’s a Match for Everyone

Published on August 30, 1984

The Far Side can take love in an optimistic way, reminding readers that there's a lid for every pot. In this comic, a large man with unconventional features enters a gathering, drawing the attention of the women, though in a negative way, as indicated by the question mark in the thought bubbles. What stands out is that one of the women has a heart, showing affection from the very first moment.

Sometimes, outcast people may take longer than expected to find that special someone, which can affect their self-esteem. However, this Far Side comic offers a hopeful perspective with the caption "someone for everyone," suggesting that, eventually, the right person might appear. While it's a somewhat atypical heartwarming strip by Gary Larson, it remains quite funny, as it still retains his signature absurd style, seen in the fact that all the women in the room are wearing glasses or that the man's shoes are enormous compared to everyone else's.

Everyone Experiences Love and Sleepless Nights Differently

Published on July 19, 1986

Many The Far Side comics can be painfully relatable, and here Gary Larson strikes a chord with anyone who has ever agonized over love. In the split panel, two characters are shown lying awake in bed, but for entirely different reasons. While a man lies there overthinking about his crush, wondering if she even knows he exists or if he should talk to her, the woman he’s pining for is also awake in her own bed, thinking about something completely trivial that has absolutely nothing to do with him.

With the caption "Same planet, different world," Gary Larson says it all: some people are in a state of mind that is inherently funny. There is a stark contrast between someone who might be caught in an anxious spiral, experiencing intense, overwhelming feelings, and someone else who is blissfully unaware, thinking about trivial nonsense. But the funny part of the strip is that, in the end, they both end up in the same boat, being unable to sleep.

Love at First Sight

Published on September 25, 1982

"Love at first sight" is a lovely concept, one that departs from the dark humor typically associated with Gary Larson, yet this comic adds a unique twist. At a party, two people smile upon seeing each other from opposite sides of the room, building anticipation for a grand, romantic encounter, with the caption, "From across the room, their eyes meet."

The amusing part is that both characters are of similar stature, so while it is framed as a romantic moment, Larson is also implying that their eyes meet simply because they are both quite small. Even so, given that they also share similar facial features and an equally peculiar sense of style, The Far Side suggests they might be true soulmates, conveying the message that you can indeed find their perfect match.

A Cow's Complicated Love Life is One of the Far Side's Best References

Published on November 28, 1984

The Far Side pokes fun at everyday life by crafting absurd and hilarious scenarios, and here it mixes romantic troubles with cows. In the comic, a sophisticated cow, adorned with pearl accessories and holding a martini, tells Wendell (who is drinking from a can while watching television) that she is "not content," a play on words suggesting she is dissatisfied with the current state of their relationship.

This clichéd breakup line is even more effective because the scene parodies the advertising slogan for the brand Carnation: "Milk from contented cows." While the joke works on its own, grasping Larson's underlying reference elevates it further as it showcases the ingenuity with which The Far Side can take mundane situations and transform them into classic comic strips.