The Far Side, a beloved comic strip, thrives on its unique flexibility in character selection, allowing it to craft delightful and unexpected narratives without the constraints of recurring protagonists. This imaginative approach means that each comic can feature an entirely new set of characters, ranging from extraterrestrial beings to cowboys, and even objects like fruit and trees. It is this adaptability that enables the comic to deliver humor tailored specifically to individual jokes, contributing to its enduring legacy in the world of comics.
While The Far Side does not primarily rely on regular characters, it does showcase recurrent themes and archetypes throughout its illustrious history. Notably, scientists frequently grace the panels, mirrored by detectives and cavemen, among others. Yet, one standout recurring figure is the explorer. Many of these adventurous souls meet rather unfortunate ends in some of the comic’s most memorable scenes, proving that in the world of The Far Side, sometimes explorers would have been better off staying home. Here are ten comics that exemplify this idea.
10 T-Rex Eggs
Two Explorers Are About to Become Dino-Food
In this comic, two explorers believe they have stumbled upon an astonishing find: dinosaur eggs, presumably from a T-Rex. Their astonishment escalates as they realize these eggs have not fossilized and remain intact after millions of years. However, lurking just out of sight is a live T-Rex, ominously advancing towards them. Tragically, their groundbreaking discovery will go unheard, as both explorers will soon become T-Rex meals. This paints a classic picture of how their adventurous spirit ultimately leads them to an untimely end.
9 Piranha Food
Forewarned Explorers on the Brink of Becoming Fish Food
Three explorers are depicted wading through a rainforest river, blissfully unaware of the piranha lurking below. Through a humorous lens, the cartoon provides the fish’s perspective while simultaneously underscoring the grim fate awaiting the explorers. Despite the comedic presentation, the reality remains grim: these characters are poised to become the ultimate meal for predators, solidifying the idea that perhaps these explorers should have considered a safer pursuit.
8 Delusional Dead Men
Exemplifying Victims of Natural Selection
Two explorers approach a dark cave, though one hears peculiar heavy breathing within. Advisably, the other explorer reiterates that what he hears is merely a change in air density—not something sinister. Given the ominous presence of human bones in a trash can nearby, it’s clear someone (or something) has been feeding there. If these explorers meet a grim fate due to their lack of caution, they’ll serve as unfortunate examples of natural selection.
7 Knife-Wielding Elephant
Mistaken for Poachers by a Deadly Elephant
As two explorers traverse their surroundings, they encounter an elephant wielding a knife—a scene both absurd and terrifying. The elephant perceives them as poachers, even though the explorers are unarmed. Despite the ludicrousness of the situation, it illustrates that sometimes, danger can arise from the most unexpected encounters in nature, another compelling reason for these explorers to have stayed home.
6 Dangerous Territory
This Explorer Should Retreat While He Still Can
In this comic, an explorer finds himself in a jungle setting, only to be unexpectedly darted in the neck. The implications are that other jungle-dwellers, expert in poison-tipped darts, are lurking nearby. This unfortunate incident should serve as a wake-up call—danger surrounds him! It’s clear that this is a prime moment for the explorer to abandon his quest and head home before facing graver consequences.
5 Jungle Apparel
An Explorer Should Change His Attire Immediately
This comic serves as a humorous guide on what not to wear while on an expedition. One explorer is appropriately dressed, while his counterpart is draped in raw meat—a perilous choice that invites disaster from hungry predators as well as insects. Clearly, the explorer should not only rethink his attire but also consider retreating from the rainforest altogether.
4 Skull Puppets
An Insight into the Fate of Unfortunate Explorers AFTER Their Demise
In a macabre twist, this comic features a mother bear utilizing human skulls as puppets to narrate bedtime stories to her cubs. This chilling reminder of the fate that befell previous explorers serves as a darkly comedic commentary on the dangers faced by those unwise enough to wander into bear territory.
3 Mummy’s Curse
Explorers Encounter the Terrifying Reality of a Mummy’s Curse
Here, two inquisitive explorers delve into an Egyptian tomb, only to learn about the deadly curse that accompanies disturbing a mummy’s rest. As they commence translation, they soon find themselves melting—an exaggerated yet humorous interpretation of what could happen if one crosses a mystical line. A powerful cautionary tale that screams, “Stay home and leave the ancient secrets untapped!”
2 Headhunters’ Dream
Explorer Stumbles into a Tribe that Puts His Life at Risk
In this comic, an explorer with an exaggeratedly large head inadvertently wanders into a group of headhunters, creating a comedic yet grim scenario. The headhunters’ delight at spotting someone with a uniquely large head makes it clear that this explorer’s adventurous spirit might lead directly to his demise, and further illustrates how sometimes curiosity leads us into dangerous territories.