A 10 Hilarious Far Side Comics That Show Gary Larson’s Obsession with… Bananas?!
Every clown knows the value of a well-timed banana peel, but Gary Larson’s Far Side takes it a step further by using the whole banana for laughs. In these classic comics, Larson creatively finds ways to make the yellow fruit funny, featuring strips with penguins, Tarzan, and, of course, plenty of gorillas.
Check out some of the funniest Far Side comics where bananas steal the show!
Credit: Gary Larson
1. Delicious Banana Daiquiris: A Tropical Treat
In this classic Far Side strip, Tarzan and his ape friends are causing a ruckus in a bar, with the punchline highlighting that, naturally, the primates are sipping on banana-themed drinks. Tarzan makes frequent appearances in The Far Side, but he’s not the only one. Animals enjoying a drink alongside humans is a recurring theme, with kangaroos, peacocks, and snakes all making appearances as heavy drinkers in Larson’s quirky world. It’s just another example of the unexpected humor that makes The Far Side so iconic.
One of the few consistent rules in The Far Side is that animals often possess human-level intelligence, which is why it makes sense they’d enjoy the same amenities. The humor typically comes from animals experiencing human-like problems, such as a rabbit complaining about child support or a kangaroo arguing with a know-it-all drinker. However, every so often, the joke flips, with nature interrupting a human situation like two zebras being stalked by lions at their “watering hole.” This clever blending of human and animal worlds is part of what makes Larson’s work so uniquely funny.
2. I Know You’re Nervous, Ramone
The Far Side is renowned for its surreal and often dark humor, but a big part of its success lies in Gary Larson’s love for language. In one memorable strip, Larson sets up the scenario of a bunch of bananas planning a bank robbery, all leading to a clever pun that links their yellow color to cowardly behavior. What makes Larson’s style so brilliant is his ability to add small details that enhance the joke without overcomplicating it. In this case, the bananas are decked out in comically excessive disguises, including bandanas and shades, adding extra layers of humor to an already witty punchline.
3. Just a Bunch of Peelings
This Far Side comic plays on the unsettling fact that tarantulas sometimes nestle inside bunches of bananas, with Larson humorously imagining the inconvenience this causes to the apes just trying to grab a snack. In The Complete Far Side, Larson shares that he comes from a family of pranksters, highlighting their “deep, sincere appreciation for the many uses of a good gorilla mask.” His brother, in particular, was a master at pranks, often trapping Larson in the basement and claiming a monster was coming to get him. It’s no surprise, then, that when it comes to gorillas, Larson would imagine them pranking each other. Perhaps inspired by the gorilla mask that hung in the Larson family’s pantry, great apes make frequent appearances in The Far Side, often in amusing or absurd situations that only Larson’s unique sense of humor can bring to life.
4. Another Pun Makes an Appearance
The puns make a comeback in this classic Far Side strip, where a grumpy banana denies a mango entry to “Club Citrus,” all to set up a clever wordplay on the idea of “forbidden fruit”—which, in this case, is actually meant to be more desirable, not less. Bananas aren’t the only fruit Larson uses in his comics; The Far Side also features everything from grapefruit that blinds cyclops to the apple that inspired Newton’s laws of motion. Larson’s ability to weave humor into everyday objects, like fruit, continues to make his comics both hilarious and thought-provoking.
A recurring theme in The Far Side is the Garden of Eden, where Gary Larson humorously explores the crucial role of a single apple. In one comic, Larson imagines Eden teeming with various animals, each offering its own type of fruit. Other Far Side strips revisit the iconic image of Eve and the Serpent, often with clever twists that add Larson’s signature surreal humor to this well-known biblical story. Whether it’s animals or puns, Larson’s take on the Garden of Eden is always uniquely funny and thought-provoking.
5. Big Bob’s Ball Bearings, Bananas, Roller Skates, and Floor Wax Co.
One of Gary Larson’s best tricks is setting up a situation that makes readers pause for a moment to fully grasp what’s going on. In this Far Side strip, a bunch of people are sliding uncontrollably around their workplace. The punchline comes from the sign on the boss’ office door, revealing they all work for Big Bob’s Ballbearings, Bananas, Roller Skates & Floor Wax Inc. The company’s various products have created a chaotic Rube Goldberg machine of slippiness, with floor wax causing employees to drop ball bearings, bananas, and more, leading to even more mayhem. It’s the kind of absurd scenario that could easily fit into Tim Robinson’s I Think You Should Leave.
The funniest part of the comic, though, is one that doesn’t immediately stand out. In the bottom right corner, we see an incredibly nervous intern, gritting his teeth while precariously carrying a tray full of steaming hot coffee. Despite knowing the risks, the intern is still struggling to navigate the slippery situation, and the coffee is almost certainly not making it to its intended destination. It’s a brilliant, hilarious detail that adds to the chaos Larson captures so perfectly.
6. The Story Behind Poodles’ Origins
The tarantula/banana connection makes a return in this Far Side strip, and yes, we’re once again reminded that spiders have indeed traveled internationally as part of banana deliveries. This time, though, Larson replaces the tiny, often overlooked insects with poodles, turning the scenario into something inherently ridiculous before even adding his fantastic visual twist. While Larson knows poodles are a breed created through selective breeding, it’s far funnier to imagine them as a separate species that spread across the world due to their uncanny ability to blend in with fruit shipments.
Dogs are no strangers to The Far Side, but Larson doesn’t always portray them as man’s best friend. In fact, The Far Side dogs tend to be slow-witted, fixated on their most basic needs, and generally lacking in intellectual depth. However, on occasion, these dogs rebel in bizarre ways, leading to some of the strip’s most delightfully weird moments. It’s just another way Larson turns everyday animals into sources of absurdity and humor.
7. I’m Totally Into Bananas
The Far Side isn’t usually known for observational humor, but there’s something about this strip that perfectly captures those late-night, meandering conversations. In it, one gorilla passionately discusses their love of bananas, convinced their affection for the fruit is far superior to that of any other gorilla. While many of Larson’s comics are based on bizarre or extreme situations, this one is a glimpse into a quirky character engaging in a completely pointless chat, which Larson surely found amusing.
In The Prehistory of The Far Side, Larson explains that sometimes he begins drawing a comic without knowing exactly where the punchline will land, only to be inspired by a compelling image or situation. It’s easy to imagine that this scenario two gorillas casually hanging out in the jungle and having an oddly profound yet trivial discussion would spark the creation of this hilarious comic.
8. Penguin vs. Banana: The Ultimate Showdown
In one of The Far Side‘s most iconic comics, a penguin slips on a banana peel. In a series that typically relies on single-panel jokes, Larson has perfected the art of choosing the perfect “moment” to deliver a punchline. Many of his gags are funny because they capture a moment that either foreshadows or follows an absurd situation. In this case, the humor lies in the sheer impossibility of the scenario how on earth did a banana peel make it all the way to Antarctica, and how could the penguin fail to notice such a bright yellow hazard against all the snow? Larson presents this ridiculous situation wordlessly, showcasing his knack for creating killer visuals.
Penguins are a frequent feature in The Far Side, often portrayed as creatures who are acutely aware of their inhospitable environment and yearn to escape it. Larson also plays with their identical appearances in another classic gag, where a penguin murder investigation is hilariously stumped by the fact that all the suspects look exactly the same.
9. Inside the Primate Research Lab
This hilarious The Far Side strip humorously illustrates the aftermath of an experiment involving monkeys, where a banana is suspended from the ceiling. It’s the result of a scientific study that was likely conducted by a team of geniuses, eager to advance knowledge, but now, it’s created an irritating issue for the lab’s custodian. The comic seems to riff on the fictional “Monkey Ladder Experiment,” where a group of monkeys is placed in a room with a banana dangling above them and a ladder to reach it. Every time the monkeys try to climb the ladder, they’re sprayed with water, and eventually, they learn not to try.
The experiment continues until every monkey has been replaced by a new one, and despite having never been punished themselves, the new monkeys will refuse to climb the ladder. They will also stop any newcomers from attempting to do so, even though they haven’t experienced the punishment firsthand. The Far Side comic plays with this bizarre concept, rewarding readers who have some outside knowledge of the experiment. It’s a prime example of how Larson’s comics often ask for a little extra from their audience, mixing humor with intellectual curiosity.
10. Just Some Simple Peelings
In another classic Far Side gag, a group of gorillas puts their own spin on the song “Feelings” by Morris Albert. But instead of singing about a lost love, their version humorously laments that they’ve run out of bananas. The absurdity of gorillas in the jungle singing a love song with such a ridiculous twist is enhanced by Larson’s brilliant attention to detail. In the image, one of the gorillas is sitting at a piano, while the others sip cocktails and listen intently.
Larson’s ability to play with popular lyrics is a hallmark of his humor, and he frequently uses it in The Far Side comics. Whether he’s twisting meanings or simply having fun with the visual of animals belting out familiar songs, Larson brings a new layer of comedy by reimagining human experiences through animal behavior. This mix of wordplay and visual comedy makes Larson’s work timeless and universally loved.
The far side
Writer: Gary Larson
Colorist: Gary Larson
Summary
The Far Side, created by Gary Larson, is a comic strip series that originally ran from December 1979 to January 1995. Known for its surreal and absurd humor, the strip features a unique mix of human characters and anthropomorphic animals. The comics often delve into the bizarre, exploring the oddities of life in a way that’s both dark and humorous. After a long hiatus, Larson returned in 2020, reviving The Far Side by publishing new comics on his official website, delighting fans old and new with his iconic style.
