The Far Side is a single-panel
comic created by
Gary Larson and
syndicated by
Universal Press Syndicate, which ran from January 1, 1980, to January 1, 1995. Its
surrealistic humor is often based on uncomfortable social situations, improbable events, an
anthropomorphic view of the world, logical fallacies, impending bizarre disasters, (often twisted) references to
proverbs, or the search for meaning in life. Larson's frequent use of animals and nature in the comic is popularly attributed to his background in
biology. Reruns are still printed in many newspapers.