For over a decade, Gary Larson's The Far Side delighted readers with its surreal, single-panel humor. The strip ran from 1980 to 1995, producing more than 4,000 cartoons that appeared in newspapers, books, and calendars. Larson had a knack for finding humor in the mundane and the bizarre, and one of his favorite targets was the world of science. Whether depicting scientists as overgrown children or showing the absurd side of scientific discovery, these comics remain timelessly funny.
Here are the funniest Far Side strips about scientists, ranked for your amusement.
5. 'The First Rubber Band' (1983)
Larson loved to portray scientists as immature, and this strip takes that to the extreme. It imagines the invention of the rubber band, but not for any practical purpose—no, the first rubber band was clearly created for the sole purpose of flicking at a colleague. The joke is simple: scientists, despite their intellect, are just as prone to childish pranks as anyone else. It's a classic example of Larson's ability to find humor in the unexpected.
4. 'Scientist Hell' (1998)
Even after the strip's original run ended, Larson continued to produce occasional Far Side comics, and this one from 1998 is a gem. It depicts a special hell for scientists: an eternal discussion group. The humor lies in the contrast between the stereotypical image of scientists as serious, focused individuals and the idea that they'd be tormented by endless, pointless conversation. The strip also subtly suggests that this hell might actually be heaven for psychics and astrologers, who are shown enjoying the gathering.
3. 'Early Microscope' (1983)
This strip blends two of Larson's favorite subjects: cavemen and science. It shows a caveman peering through a crude, early microscope—only to reveal that the microscope is so primitive it's just a hollow tube, and the caveman is looking at a mammoth on the other side. The absurdity of the situation is what makes it so funny. It's a perfect example of Larson's ability to take a simple concept and twist it into something delightfully ridiculous.
2. 'You're Being Facetious, Andrews' (1982)
This strip features two scientists (or possibly paleontologists) arguing over who gets to ride a dinosaur skeleton. The caption, "You're being facetious, Andrews," suggests that one scientist is mocking the other's request. The humor comes from the juxtaposition of serious scientific work with childish bickering. It's a reminder that even the most intelligent people can be petty, and Larson captures that perfectly.
1. 'The First Rubber Band' (1983) – Revisited
Wait, we already covered that one. But it's so good it deserves another mention. Actually, the top spot goes to a strip that perfectly encapsulates Larson's view of scientists: a group of them standing around a blackboard covered in complex equations, with one scientist pointing to a simple error that reads, "Oops." It's a simple joke, but it's one that resonates with anyone who has ever made a silly mistake. It shows that even the most brilliant minds are human, and that's what makes The Far Side so relatable.
These are just a few of the many hilarious scientist-themed Far Side comics. Larson's unique perspective on the scientific community continues to entertain and amuse, proving that even the most serious subjects can be a source of laughter. For more laughs, check out our list of the best animated shorts or fun sci-fi movies from the 90s.
