10 Unforgettable 'far Side' Comics About Dinosaurs

Gary Larson's iconic comic strip, The Far Side, which ran from 1980 to 1995, frequently featured prehistoric creatures in absurd scenarios. Among his thousands of published panels, his dinosaur-themed illustrations stand out as some of his most memorable work. Larson often relied on two primary comedic themes when drawing these ancient beasts: placing them in mundane, human-like situations and highlighting their complete ignorance regarding their impending extinction.

The most historically significant of these comics was published on May 27, 1982. The panel depicts a caveman instructor pointing to the spiked tail of a Stegosaurus, labeling it a "thagomizer" after a fictional casualty named Thag Simmons. At the time of publication, the anatomical structure had no official scientific name. Paleontologists began using Larson's term as an inside joke, but the label eventually gained formal recognition from major scientific institutions, including the Smithsonian, securing the cartoonist's place in paleontological history.

Beyond the famous thagomizer comic, Larson produced numerous other memorable dinosaur strips. One common comedic device was depicting massive predators engaging in ordinary human habits. For instance, one strip features a Tyrannosaurus rex casually discussing the importance of flossing, while another shows a juvenile T-rex searching for a toy prize inside a cereal box labeled "Free kid inside!" The humor in these panels relies on the stark contrast between fearsome prehistoric monsters and mundane daily routines.

Larson also frequently used dark humor to mock the inevitable demise of the dinosaurs. In one panel, a dinosaur holds a press conference to announce changing climates and the rise of mammals, illustrating Larson's fondness for portraying the creatures as doomed. Another wordless comic features dinosaurs acting like schoolyard bullies, teasing a small, furry mammal. The joke operates on multiple levels, as a dinosaur in the background notices falling snow, signaling the onset of the ice age that will soon wipe them out.

The cartoonist occasionally played with scientific classifications and the public's understanding of prehistoric animals. While some of his strips featured flying pterosaurs, these creatures are technically classified as a separate group of reptiles rather than actual dinosaurs. Conversely, modern scientific consensus recognizes birds as avian dinosaurs. Larson leaned into this connection by frequently featuring chickens in his work, including one panel that humorously bridges the gap between modern poultry and their fierce ancestors.

In addition to the animals themselves, Larson frequently targeted the scientific community in his work. Rather than portraying paleontologists as serious, academic figures, The Far Side often depicted them as childish and mischievous. One such comic shows researchers behaving ridiculously, subverting the public's expectation of sober scientific inquiry. This playful skepticism toward authority figures and experts was a recurring motif throughout the strip's fifteen-year run.

Among Larson's most famous dinosaur panels is a December 15, 1982 cartoon that attributes the extinction of the species to cigarette smoking. The image shows a group of dinosaurs gathered together, puffing on cigarettes, accompanied by a caption declaring it "the real reason" they died out. This particular comic perfectly encapsulates Larson's signature style, blending dark historical themes with absurd, human-like behaviors to create a enduring piece of graphic humor.