Many of The Far Side's characters had warped senses of humor that reflected that of their creator, Gary Larson, something best exhibited by the many s Larson produced over the years which starred a wild variety of merry pranksters, both human and animal, pulling practical jokes for their own amusement.

The Far Side's pranks weren't exactly always lighthearted; like the cartoon's overall comedic style itself, some of its practical jokers took thinks in an unexpectedly dark direction, while others did take a sillier, less dangerous approach.

In any case, from unpleasant to possibly deadly, each of these gags conjured by Gary Larson is the kind of thing readers will be entirely grateful they won't find themselves on the receiving end of, but rather can enjoy from afar, thanks to The Far Side's warped sense of humor.

12 The Far Side's Alien Pranksters Interrupt A Perfect Picnic For This Earthling Pair

First Published: December 13, 1994

"Zzz" reads the flag that pops out of the end of an extraterrestrial ray gun in this late-stage Far Side alien cartoon, as a group of space "invaders" pull a hysterically cruel prank on a pair of humans trying to have a nice picnic on an otherwise idyllic day.

This punchline is perfectly situated between an ensuing moment of relief for its human characters, and a preceding few seconds of abject terror, as they presumably believe themselves to be the first casualties in a war for human survival. Instead, it turns out they have made first with some space jokesters, making it clear their sense of dark humor is light years ahead of most humans, though not Gary Larson.

11 The Far Side's Smallest Prankster Gets In Big Trouble Chasing A Laugh

First Published: February 17, 1994

In this classic Far Side cartoon, an ant with an oversized sense of humor goes to great lengths to get one over on the rest of his colony, even ordering an "A-1 Fake Picnickers" set to pull a cruel trick, the result of which this comic's caption explains is that "Wally was finally booted off the hill."

It is a memorable Far Side joke, one that anthropomorphizes insect characters in a charming way, while also delivering one of Gary Larson's out-there fake products. For most readers, the lingering question here is precisely what purpose this toy might have outside of this very specific instance. The answer is none, and this is precisely what makes it Far Side gold.

10 The Far Side Reveals What Really Goes On In Operating Rooms

First Published: January 26, 1993​​​​​​​

In this Far Side cartoon lampooning doctors, a group of surgeons gathered around the operating table burst out laughing as "Carlton falls for the old rubber scalpel gag," having gotten a surprise when he went to cut into the patient on the table.

With jokes like this, Gary Larson played into the general fear of medical malpractice, the idea that doctors, particularly surgeons, don't take their patients' well-being as seriously as they should, and successfully converted this anxiety into humor. Here, these concerns are actualized, but in a way that is patently farcical; though, in the context of the cartoon, the joke is, unfortunately, squarely on the man going under the (fake) knife.

9 The Far Side Reveals The Lengths Cowboys Would Go To Amuse Themselves

First Published: August 14, 1990

"In the Old West," the caption to this Far Side cowboy comic explains, "cowboy show-offs often fell victim to the old whoopee saddle gag," as the illustration features a man elaborately jumping onto his horse, about to unleash an epic fake fart noise, as his fellow cattle rustlers look on from the Saloon window, ready to ruthlessly mock him.

This cartoon is funny in its own right, but for those who appreciate a good whoopee cushion in real life, it is elevated to true hilarity, as they imagine the gold standard of pranks transported back in time to the American West, a time period, and genre of story, which is generally known for its gravity, except when it came to The Far Side.

8 The Far Side's Farm Animals Resort To Prank Calls To The Time

First Published: June 13, 1990

"Your barn door's open," a horse whispers into the receiver of a pay phone, prank-calling "Farmer Bob," with the rest of the bewildered farmer's barnyard animals gathered around. Once again, the joke here is funny, but what really makes it great is the relatable quality to this Far Side 's premise, as it will evoke fond memories of childhood prank calls for many readers.

Over the years, The Far Side often depicted the relationship between farm animals and farmers as significantly more contentious than in this comic, as rather than violent insurrection, these animals settle for a lighthearted practical joke to get a dig in at "Farmer Bob," who should consider himself lucky this prank isn't more perilous.

7 This Little Piggy Is Going To Be In Big Trouble With Mom After Playing Dead

First Published: October 30, 1987

Captioned "piglet practical jokes," this Far Side cartoon features a young pig, "Billy," playing dead when his mom tries to wake him up in the morning, even going so far as to lay perfectly still with an apple sticking in him mouth so as to freak his parent out when she flips on the light.

Here, Gary Larson effectively uses multiple s to build up to the punchline, as the lack of response from Billy in the first three s builds up a degree of suspense, leading to the reader to feel a degree of empathy for the mother pig when she turns on the light to find seemingly her worst nightmare. Thankfully, readers know what she doesn't, in this moment, that this is only a prank, albeit a crass one on the part of "Billy."

6 The Far Side's "Animal Joke Gifts" Comic Reminds Readers Gary Larson Thinks Humans Stink

First Published: October 8, 1987

Captioned "animal joke gifts," this Far Side cartoon captures the hilarious moment that a deer opens and tries a gag present, in the form of a perfume bottle containing "scent de la human," which it laughingly sprays into the air, as the other deer at its birthday party recoil.

The joke, of course, is on humankind itself, whom the dismayed and disturbed reactions of the deer in the illustration make clear do not smell pleasant, at least by the standards of wild animals. It is a simple Far Side punchline, but one that contains some layers of further comedic meaning that astute readers can pull back and examine in more detail.

5 Far Side Readers Are On The Outside Looking In With This Scientist Prank

First Published: August 15, 1987

This captionless Far Side cartoon is deliberately slightly obscure; in a way, it actually invites readers to overthink it, when really the joke isn't particularly deep. In the , a group of scientists snicker amongst themselves, having just stuck a note with a complex equation to the backside of one of their colleagues, who is minding his own business working on another equation on a chalkboard.

The fact that this formula equates to a "dig" or a "burn" for these scientists, while being esoteric to the reader, is the point of the punchline. Readers aren't missing something by not understanding why they find this funny; in fact, that is the essence of the joke here in itself.

4 The Far Side's Darkest Practical Joke Belongs To The Bears

First Published: January 15, 1986

In this low-key dark Far Side cartoon, Gary Larson offers some insight into "practical jokes of the wild," which turn out to be as deadly as a bear attack in its own right. Here, a trio of bears stand in the woods, and the one with its back to the reader has a "shoot me" sign taped to it.

It is one of The Far Side's most straightforward jokes, yet it is also one of its most charged, as Larson depicts these bears as outright cruel in the extent of their humor. Some readers might conflate this with The Far Side's style of comedy, but in fact, while this doesn't reflect the author's attitude toward animals, it does make clear the extent he is willing to go to shock and surprise Far Side fans.

3 Hope Is The Cruelest Joke In This Far Side Desert Island Cartoon

First Published: October 4, 1984

As far as human characters are concerned, this arguably stands as The Far Side's cruelest practical joke, as one half of a duo of shipwreck survivors shakes the other awake, claiming to see a ship approaching, having secretly painted a boat on "Bob's" glasses, presumably having reached a breaking point of boredom and being willing to crush the other man's spirit to bring himself some amusement.

The character's motivations here remain open to speculation, but what is definitive is the fact that this also ranks high up on the list of The Far Side's funniest desert island jokes, as harsh as it might be for "Bob."