The big debate about cats and dogs has been going on longer than most people can remember, reaching generations back. Unsurprisingly, it’s been a common theme in many forms of pop culture, including The Far Side. If there’s one thing readers can count on with Larson, it’s that he’ll have a new, wild, or imaginative take on an otherwise over-discussed debate.
Dogs vs cats, cats vs dogs. It’s an age-old take, with popular series like Tom and Jerry making the whole fiasco more entertaining, not to mention cartoonish. No matter what side people take, there’s a comic for everyone when it comes to cats and dogs.
10
The Far Side Reveals the Face of a Cat Killer
First Published: Sep. 28, 1985
“A cat killer? Is that the face of a cat killer? Cat chaser maybe. But hey-who isn’t?”
They say that everybody should get the chance to have a trial with a jury of their peers. Does this apply to dogs and cats? If so, things are probably not going to go well for the dog on trial, given that every juror appears to be a cat, with the presumed victim also being a cat. Also, the judge is a cat. So things aren’t looking too good for this sweet face.
The more one looks at this Far Side comic, the darker it gets. Would Dexter be proud of this pooch, or would he be disappointed that he got caught? On the bright side, Larson did portray a very sweet and silly-looking dog, though one could argue that the face was carefully crafted to look that way.
9
The Far Side Gives Lessons in Cat Defense
First Published: May 2, 1985
Image via The Far Side
“Now, in this slide we can see how the cornered cat has seemed to suddenly grow bigger. … Trickery! Trickery! Trickery!”
The art of war calls to know thy enemy, and that is a lesson these dogs have taken to heart. Here, Far Side readers see a class of dogs studying the most vicious of enemies: the feline. Apparently, cats have many defensive tricks, including their ability to seem bigger by fluffing up and turning to their side. It’s a classic look for startled cats, not to mention a popular design for Halloween.
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If the dogs in this comic are made about how fluffed up a cat can get, the odds are good that they won’t be thrilled to learn about how a cat lands on their feet. They’ll likewise be terrified to hear the superstition about a black cat crossing one’s path (unless they started that vicious rumor).
8
Dog Surveillance Truck Visit The Far Side
First Published: Jan. 10, 1988
Image via The Far Side
The surveillance truck or van is a common occurrence in pop culture, a means to tell an audience that somebody is being watched or observed. Sometimes it’s for comedic effect, while other times it’s meant to showcase how serious a situation is. In many instances, the van in question will be carefully crafted to look perfectly bland or ordinary on the outside, while housing a bunch of tech inside.
That’s where this Far Side comic comes into play, as a group of dogs has taken it upon themselves to watch the neighborhood cats. Talk about a dangerous job with high stakes. The cat in question can be seen on several screens, and he may or may not be looking at one of the camera lenses, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of this operation.
7
There’s Doggy Peer Pressure in The Far Side
First Published Nov. 28, 1994
Image via The Far Side
“Dogs and alcohol: the tragic untold story.”
Alcohol and peer pressure can be a fatal combination. Many high school warning stories are made from this foundation. Apparently, in Gary Larson’s world, dogs should also be getting a lecture or two about consuming alcohol responsibly. The comic begins with a group of dogs (young dogs? Who can say?) consuming far too much alcohol while at the zoo.
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The zoo is already not the greatest place for anybody, dogs included, to get drunk. However, in the doggy world, the temptation to start a fight with a cat is just too much, which is a problem when said cat is likely three times the size of an average dog. Readers can guess how things went from here, thanks to the inclusion of “tragic” in the title. Poor puppy.
6
The Far Side Shows One Way to Trick the Cat
First Published: July 8, 1994
“Scene from Dog Invaders from Mars”
The 1953 film Invaders from Mars is a classic, portraying a man who witnesses a UFO landing. It doesn’t take long for these aliens to begin taking over the town, but not in the stereotypical violent and destructive way. No, the aliens begin controlling the residents from a distance, but nobody will believe the witness, that would be too easy. Gary Larson’s 1994 comic wonders how this story would have gone down with cats and dogs.
This Far Side comic shows two dogs, who are presumably from Mars, trying to get their hands on a happy housecat. Their methods are familiar, as they take control over the neighborhood kid to try and talk the cat owner into letting the cat out for playtime. Big mistake, ma’am.
5
The Far Side Shows Why You Gotta Read the Instructions First
First Published: Dec. 28, 1985
“You have to prime it, you know.”
Who here hasn’t heard of the stereotype of a dog chasing a cat up a tree? It may not happen as often these days, but the image is still firmly rooted in pop culture, with many cartoon parodies happening all the time. It’s a classic portrayal of the whole battle of dogs and cats, and it’s likely to stick around for generations to come.
Naturally, Gary Larson couldn’t resist playing around with the dogs vs. cat trope. In his comic, the dogs have successfully chased the cat up the tree, but rather than bark for hours before giving up, these dogs have a plan. Granted, that plan is dependent on them figuring out how to work a chainsaw, which is apparently easier said than done. Best of luck, cat!
4
Time to Let this Far Side Cat Outside for the Night
First Published: Oct. 17, 1985
Image via The Far Side
“Puuuuut the caaaaat ouuuuuuuut. … Puuuuut the caaaaat ouuuuuuut. …”
There used to be a tradition that people would let their cats out at night, at least in cartoons like The Flintstones. Whether that commonly happened or not is still up for debate, but this dog is clearly hoping to get under the skin of at least one cat owner. In this Far Side comic, Larson is portraying a dog at the window, desperately whispering to the owner’s subconsciousness.
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The goal is clear: get the cat sent outside so the battle may continue. The cat just so happens to be at the foot of the bed, raising questions about how aware he is of the whole situation. Is he unworried? Or is a counterstrike about to occur? It’s one of those stories best left to the imagination, as the potential is limitless.
3
Tricking the Cat Isn’t Easy in The Far Side
First Published: Mar. 30, 1985
Image via The Far Side
Fun fact: the unedited version of Lilo and Stitch shows Lilo hiding in a washing machine. They took that out because they were afraid little children would mimic Lilo’s hiding spot. It makes one wonder about how this comic would have been received if it had come out a bit later.
While there’s no way this Far Side dog was inspired by the Disney film, one has to admit that the plan is pretty evil. Genius, but evil. He has carefully laid out tracks to imply where the cat food is stored, with the goal of winning this longstanding war of cats and dogs. Admittedly, his writing and grammar leaves something to be desired, but as far as early traps go, it isn’t bad.
2
The Far Side Proves That the Dog Had the Motive
First Published: Dec. 21, 1994
Image via The Far Side
“Your dog had both motive and opportunity, ma’am: He hated the cat and he’s had training in operating heavy machinery. … Your husband, we feel, was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
There’s something magical about watching a crime show detective as they put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Famously, these detectives are concerned about two major details – motive and opportunity. Unfortunately for the dog in this The Far Side comic, he had both. Readers can assume that alibies were likewise checked and busted, as that’s another popular trope. It would have been interesting to see the mounting pile of evidence go up on a board somewhere.
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It’s clear who the target was in this Far Side comic, as the cat has been steamrolled on the front lawn. As for the woman’s husband, well, as the detective said, wrong place, wrong time. It happens. Sadly, that means this woman lost her cat, husband, and dog in one fell swoop.
1
The Far Side Reveals What Dog Heaven Looks Like
First Published: Mar. 20, 1988
“Dog heaven”
Films like All Dogs Go to Heaven have primed generations of people to imagine what a doggy heaven would look like. In truth, there’s something appealing about assuming there’s a better place for humanity’s best friend. Clearly, Gary Larson agrees, as this The Far Side comic imagines what doggy heaven would look like. In this case, that means a few stereotypical elements, such as angel dogs and clouds.
However, there are a few key differences in Larson’s version of Dog Heaven. For example, there’s a naked mailman running in the background, complete with two dogs hot on his heels. Meanwhile, a kind-looking woman is serving up bones and other delectables, while sweet little dog houses provide the perfect napping spot. The icing on the cake would be the cat-themed fire hydrants.
The Far Side
Writer
Gary Larson
Publisher
Universal Press Syndicate
Artist
gary larson
