The Complete Far Side: Volume One, 1980-1986

by Gary Larson

Gary Larson cartoons.

Genres: Comics

664 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2003

About the author

Gary Larson was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. His parents were Vern, a car salesman, and Doris, a secretary. He attended Curtis High School before attending Washington State University and graduated in 1972 with a degree in communications. In 1987, Larson married Toni Carmichael, an archaeologist.
Larson credits his older brother Dan for his "paranoid" sense of humor. Dan would pull countless pranks on Gary, taking advantage of his phobia of monsters under the bed by, for example, waiting in the closet for the right moment to pounce out at Gary. Dan is also credited with giving Gary his love of science. They caught animals in Puget Sound and placed them in terrariums in the basement; even making a small desert ecosystem, which their parents apparently did not mind. His adept use of snakes in his cartoons stems from his long-standing interest in herpetology.
Since retiring from the Far Side, Larson has occasionally done some cartooning work, such as magazine illustrations and promotional artwork for Far Side merchandise.
In 1998, Larson published his first post-Far Side book, There's a Hair in My Dirt!: A Worm's Story, an illustrated story with the unmistakable Far Side mindset.

Reviews

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

Jesus H Christ! Whoever is responsible for attempting to put up some of these editions of "The Complete Far Side", has made a total mess of it, and cannot even spell the author's name correctly, its all over the place! This is a review of Volume One which runs from Jan 1980 to June 1984 with the cow hide cover (Mooo!).

Larson is good value and there are many laugh out loud entries in here and some really clever and of course random and confusing cartoons, including the controversial "cow tools" one. We also get some reproductions of the various letters and complaints written by fans and readers over the years. Oh and Steve Martin proves to be just as unfunny in print as he is on the screen, with his largely pointless introduction.

[Bryan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review because I read it. To be clear this is only for Volume 1 of the three volume collection. It goes from 1980 - 1984

I was surprised at how weak the first year was, but then again how quickly his form and art grew into what I remember. In fact starting in the second year I was stumbling across some of my all time favorites. I remember waiting anxiously for Dad to finish the section of newspaper with the comics so I could have a turn. The Far Side was one of the comics I eagerly devoured.

There are two more volumes and I've no doubt I'll be getting to those soon too. I've wanted this collection for years, ever since one of my sisters got it as a Christmas present one year. I was jealous then, but no longer. I now have my own set.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some naming issues, as there are at least two sets of The Complete Far Side.

I read Volume One (January 1980 to June 1984) and plan to read the other two volumes. They are all paperback in a boxed set, not the hardcover. I cannot imagine any of you care about that.

The bottom line is Gary Larson and the Far Side remain funny after all these years. It elicited at least a few audible chuckles from me.

[Cameron Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a great comic series... not only are there the first 1/3 of every Far Side panel ever, but a boatload of background and funny stories. 100% worth the read.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larsen is a stand-out as always!

[Jack Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Larson. 'Nuff said.