10 Far Side Comics That Will Make You Irrationally Suspicious of Animals

While the various animals of The Far Side have given us plenty of laughs over the years, they’ve also suggested that we might need to be a little more cautious about their true intentions. Because, as it turns out, these animals may very well be plotting the downfall of the human race.

Whether it’s goldfish setting traps, dogs pulling guns on their owners, or deranged chickens escaping their fate as dinner and turning the family dog into the main course, Larson’s comics are as unhinged as they are hilarious. These 10 Far Side comics will undoubtedly change how you see animals, and maybe even your own lovable pets. So beware: you might finish this article with a newfound paranoia toward the creatures we share this blue planet with.

10

Man’s Best Friend? More Like Man’s Murderer

Poodles Plotting in Plain Sight

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the mind of your furry companion or what they might think of you? According to this Far Side comic, your lovable pets might actually hate you and be plotting your murder. The only thing stopping them is the fear that their pampering would come to an end. Larson takes a really dark turn with this look at the owner-pet relationship, but the visual of three pristine poodles scheming to kill their owner makes the comic exceptionally humorous. So beware, pet owners. Your pampering might not be enough to keep you in your pets’ good graces, so you might want to sleep with one eye open.

9

Animals Were Plotting the Downfall of Humanity from the Very Beginning

Eden’s Fall Wasn’t Just the Snake’s Idea

Even those who aren’t of the Christian faith are likely familiar with the story of the Fall of Eden, where Lucifer, disguised as a snake, convinced Eve to eat the Lord’s forbidden fruit. She then shared it with Adam, which ultimately led to “The Fall of Man,” meaning the loss of humanity’s innocence, separation from God, and expulsion from Eden. Larson puts a funny twist on this story by showing that it wasn’t just the snake trying to tempt Eve. Instead, multiple animals, from cows to porcupines, were also trying to get the couple to eat their fruits. Apparently, Earth’s animals were all in on humanity’s downfall from the very beginning.

8

Does This Chicken Taste Weird to You?

RIP Fifi: We Are Forever Scarred

This is perhaps one of Larson’s most unhinged comic strips. It shows a family seated at the dinner table eating what they believe is a roasted chicken. In the plot twist of the century, the chicken they thought they were eating reveals itself to still be alive. It is parading around disguised as the family’s pet dog, Fifi, by wearing the dog’s skin like a suit. The chicken then asks, “Would you like to know where your little Fifi is?” Given the chicken’s mad cackling and the fact that the family is eating a small animal, it’s clear they were unknowingly eating their pet dog. This makes it one of Larson’s most disturbing strips.

7

Your Dog Is Sick of the Tricks & Games

The Last Straw for a Trained Pet

A good majority of dog owners love teaching their pets tricks and usually use a treat-reward system. But no one ever stops to ask dogs how they feel about it, or at least no one has gotten an answer. Larson shows us what one dog is thinking during training, revealing a thought bubble that reads, “This is it… I’m going to kill him.” Apparently, this pet has finally reached his breaking point. So maybe take a break before the next round of sit, stay, and roll over.

6

Spoiler: Cows Caused the Great Chicago Fire

Larson’s Take on a Historical Legend

History buffs will likely recognize this comic as Larson’s absurd spin on the infamous Great Chicago Fire. The fire started on the night of October 8, 1871, and while the true cause remains uncertain, the most popular legend blames a cow that supposedly kicked over a lantern in the barn of Patrick and Catherine O’Leary. Larson embraces the myth and takes it further by suggesting that the cow wasn’t clumsy at all, but was actually an agent sent to start the fire on purpose. Maybe cows aren’t as innocent as they seem.

5

Forget Biting, This Dog’s Got a Loaded Gun

A New Kind of Beggar at the Table

Pet owners often get frustrated when their dog constantly begs for scraps at the table, but how often do we stop to think about how the dog feels? In classic Far Side fashion, Larson gives us that answer by showing a dog holding a gun to his owner’s head and declaring, “Hey, bucko. I’m through begging.” It’s absurd, dark, and hilarious all at once. So next time your dog stares you down at dinner, maybe offer a little more sympathy. Or at the very least, don’t underestimate how serious they are about those table scraps.

4

An Elephant Never Forgets

Beware Poachers: This Elephants Got a Grudge & Gun

Everyone knows the saying, “memory of an elephant,” which refers to someone with an extraordinary memory. This phrase exists for a reason, as elephants truly are known for their incredible recall. What animal lovers may not know is that elephants can also hold serious grudges, at least in The Far Side. In this strip, an elephant corners a would-be poacher in the style of an old detective movie and calls him out for trying to shoot him. Based on the fact that the elephant appears to have a gun in his trench coat, it is safe to say he has not forgotten or forgiven.

3

Dogs Are Actually Aliens, And They’re Done Rolling Over

When the Mothership Comes Back for Rover

While dogs are obviously a different species from humans, most people don’t stop to wonder whether our beloved companions are actually aliens who have been stranded here. That is exactly what this Far Side comic implies. Larson shows multiple UFOs filled with dogs arriving on Earth to retrieve their long-lost comrades. It becomes clear, however, that they are not happy with how their fellow dogs have been treated. The aliens demand that their former owners perform the same humiliating tricks they once had to do. Their first order: “Roll over.”

2

Fish Who Swim Together Also Plot Together

Goldfish With a Taste for Revenge

Many animals have proven to be dangerous, but goldfish are generally considered one of the safest pets. This Far Side comic challenges that assumption, showing two goldfish celebrating after their trap successfully captures their owner. The humor lies in the absurdity of it all. Where did they get the rope? How did they set the trap by the dry door when they supposedly live in a water-filled bowl? These are questions we’ll never get answers to, but the goldfish seem pleased with their work.

1

Does Anyone Else Feel Like a Duck Is Watching Them?

A New Kind of Paranoia

This is perhaps one of Larson’s most iconic comics, perfectly capturing his absurd, unpredictable, and wonderfully bizarre sense of humor. The caption reads, “Anatidaephobia: The fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you.” The premise alone is hilarious, but the comic becomes even funnier (and weirder) when you notice the subtle duck silhouette lurking in the window of a distant building, clearly keeping an eye on the unsuspecting human. While it may seem ridiculous, this Far Side comic might just leave readers feeling slightly more paranoid than usual, especially the next time they catch a duck staring just a little too long.