Gary Larson

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. The Far Side was ultimately carried by more than 1,900 daily newspapers, translated into 17 languages, and collected into calendars and 23 compilation books. - Wikipedia.

The Far Side® is back in this much-anticipated three-volume slipcased paperback edition of The Complete Far Side! “Every one of these cartoons is just something that drifted into my head when I was alone with my thoughts. And, for better or worse, I ‘jotted’ them down. It was only later, when perhaps I received an angry letter from someone, that it struck me: Hey! Someone’s been reading my diary!” --Gary Larson, from the preface to The Complete Far Side Originally published in hardcover in 2003, The Complete Far Side was a New York Times bestseller. Now it’s back as a paperback set with a newly designed slipcase that will delight Far Side fans. Revered by its fans as the funniest, most original, most “What the ... ?”-inspiring cartoon ever, The Far Side® debuted in January 1980 and enjoyed an illustrious 14 years on the world’s comics pages until Gary Larson’s retirement in 1994. The Complete Far Side celebrates Larson’s twisted, irreverent genius in this ultimate Far Side book. A masterpiece of comic brilliance, The Complete Far Side contains every Far Side cartoon ever syndicated--over 4,000 if you must know--presented in (more or less) chronological order by year of publication, with more than 1,100 that had never before appeared in a book. Also included are additional Far Side cartoons Larson created after his retirement: 13 that appeared in the last Far Side book, Last Chapter and Worse, and six cartoons that periodically ran as a special feature in the New York Times Science Times section as The Far Side® of Science. Creator Gary Larson offers a rare glimpse into the mind of The Far Side® in quirky and thoughtful introductions to each of the 14 chapters. Complaint letters, fan letters, and queries from puzzled readers appear alongside some of the more provocative or elusive panels. Actor, author, and comedian Steve Martin offers his sagacious thoughts in a foreword, and Larson’s former editor describes what it was like to be “the guy who could explain every Far Side cartoon.” During its 14-year run, The Far Side® was syndicated internationally to over 1,900 daily newspapers. It spawned 23 books and has been translated into 17 different languages. Copyright © 2014, 2003 FarWorks, Inc. All rights reserved. The Far Side®, FarWorks, Inc.®, and the Larson® signature are registered trademarks of FarWorks, Inc. in certain countries.

This is a collection of all the originally published newspaper comics, from the series 'The Far Side'. According to the 'Library of Congress Cataloging--in-Publication Data' on the books Copyright page it; "Presents every Far side cartoon ever syndicated. More than 4000 cartoons, 1100 of which have never been published in a book, are included in this two-volume, slipcased treasure trove"--CIP text" Each year has a introduction by Gary Larson, some of which tell the story of how he created the series and how it progressed from year to year. There are also a 'Foreword' by Steve Martin, and an Introduction, by is longtime editor Jake Morrissey, letters and commentary from fans and complaints that were received about the series. According to the top coverpaper on the slipcase, there are also included 19 "additional Far Side cartoons Larson created after his retirement." The covers of each book, as well as the slip covers, and a painting titled "The Complete Far Side, Under Construction" page xxi of Volume One, are all painted by Jerry Tiritilli. (Source: Copyright page.) The majority of the panels are in their original black and white format, with the occasional water colored or colored pencils cartoon, and the lesser common stained grey shadowed panels. The 'Appendix' features 13 cartoons made for the book 'The Far Side: Last Chapter and Worse', and six more panels from 'The New York Times' "The Far Side of Science" column. "Contains nearly every Far Side comic ever published (except for a few cartoons written for Christmas cards and also missing parody art pieces from Wiener Dog Art, some material from The Prehistory of The Far Side, and a panel run for a caption writing contest in the Telegram-Tribune newspaper." (Source: Wikipedia) A Limited Leather Bound Edition was released as ISBN: 0740743619.

Collection of cartoons based on the enormously popular, syndicated series, which ran in daily newspapers until 1995, features thirteen new cartoons along with more than 140 cartoons that have never appeared in a book form.