10 Far Side Comics That Make Office Jobs Seem Anything But Boring

The Far Side is known for finding absurdity in just about any situation, and even the bland world of office jobs can be exciting when Gary Larson is the one portraying it. Being a cog in a capitalist machine understandably weighs people down, but in Larson’s delightfully weird reality, the daily grind can take unprecedented turns at any given moment.

These Far Side cartoons depict the ups and downs of corporate jobs, putting a fun spin on the agonizingly mundane and providing perfect escapism for anyone who’s ever been stuck working in a cubicle. From clown coworkers to ridiculous re-inventions of everyday workplace occurrences, the entries on this list showcase the many ways that a regular workplace can descend into chaos. Here are 10 Far Side comics that highlight the funnier side of office jobs.

10

“Trying to Decide Between a Career in Pirating or Massage Therapy”

First Published: July 15th, 1992

Going to work can be tough enough, but finding a job to begin with is another matter entirely. As grueling as it can be, though, there are some who have a harder time hunting for jobs. In this Far Side cartoon, Captain Hook schedules a job counseling appointment to help decide between pirating and massage therapy. Right away, the counselor says, “Maybe we can help you narrow it down.”

The joke that Gary Larson has presented, of course, is that Captain Hook would be better off as a pirate than a massage therapist due to his iconic hook hand. Seeking out a career is a soul-crushing process, as anyone can attest, but having wacky characters like Hook join the hunt does liven it up.

9

“Punk Accountants”

First Published: May 21st, 1990

Even in The Far Side, office jobs tend to have strict dress codes that prevent employees from fully expressing themselves, but the two men in this comic find a way to unleash their individuality despite such limitations. The accountants arrive at work in their usual business attire, but they add new accessories from around the office to spice up their looks.

One man shoves pencils through his ear and nose to emulate facial piercings, while the other wears a calculator as an earring. Moreover, on his arm, he’s written “Add, Subtract, and Die!” as a hardcore tattoo. Even though they can’t properly dress down at work, these surprisingly cool nerds have cheated the system in order to display their punk-rock side.

8

“Cheap Pocket Octopus”

First Published: September 16th, 1993

As mentioned before, there are standard staples of business attire that employees don’t typically stray from in the workplace. A dress shirt and tie are a must, and many carry pens in their pockets so that they can have something to write with at all times. However, this comic puts a twist on that idea as each employee carries around pocket octopus rather than pens. Only The Far Side could turn something so ordinary into something utterly absurd.

One worker in this comic discovers that his pocket octopus has squirted ink all over his shirt, mimicking how a pen can explode and get ink all over fabric. Vernon really should have splurged on a more expensive pocket octopus rather than playing it safe with a cheap one.

7

“We’ll Let Your People and My People Work Out the Details”

First Published: June 6th, 1990

Striking a business deal requires a lot of hands on deck, as there are plenty of employees who are involved in the process of negotiating and laying out the paperwork. This Far Side cartoon plays with that idea in a comical way, as two men shake hands and agree on a deal with one another – though this deal is anything but normal.

One man says to the other, “We’ve got a deal. We’ll let your people and my people work out the details.” Surrounding them are the people in question, who are all unrealistically small. A tiny man sticks his tongue out at the others, showing that this deal may not be settled as peacefully as their larger counterparts hope.

6

“There Goes Binky With the Boss Again…”

First Published: August 5th, 1992

Face it, every office has that one employee who kisses up to the boss to an irritating degree. Even in this comic’s clown office, there’s a clown who earns the ire of his coworkers in this way. Gary Larson features clowns in many of his cartoons as a sure-fire way to turn any situation, no matter how mundane, into a laugh-out-loud circus performance. For more hilarious Far Side comics starring clowns, check out the gallery below!

As one clown impresses his boss with his fake gun, the others call him out for being a “red-noser”. This term is a play on the phrase “brown-noser”, which refers to someone who uses flattery to climb the ranks, thus proving that clowns aren’t immune to schmoozing their way to the top.

5

“If You Miss, I’m Comin’ After Your Big Hazel”

First Published: October 2nd, 1986

Office jobs can be unbearably dull, but employees are always seeking out innovative ways to liven up the experience and help the time between clocking in and clocking out pass more quickly. These particular employees spice up their day at Glasseye Co. by testing their glass eye products…via a game of marbles, despite the fact that it would earn them their employers’ disdain.

The two men play marbles with the very glass eyes they presumably sell as a company, turning their daily grind into a game that takes their minds off their corporate woes. Hopefully, they won’t end up breaking a few in the process of playing their game, otherwise they may be subjected to their boss’ ire or even lose their jobs entirely.

4

“Mr. Sparky Has Found Something More Engrossing Than This Meeting”

First Published: May 4th, 1994

Animals frequently take on the roles of humans in The Far Side as a means of poking fun at real-life customs and behaviors, and this cartoon brings dogs into the workplace as a fun subversion of a standard conference. These dogs are shown discussing important business matters such as chasing cats and dumping out garbage, but one of the attendees at this meeting has shifted his focus elsewhere.

As one dog gets caught cleaning his private parts the way many dogs tend to, the boss says, “Seems Mr. Sparky has found something more engrossing than this meeting.” If all businesses were run by dogs, then the workplace would certainly be a lot more lively – but also, it seems, a bit more unsanitary.

3

“Man, I Hate Elevator Music”

First Published: November 26th, 1990

As grating as the day-to-day toil in the office itself can be, elevators can also test the patience of employees on their way to and from work. Elevator music drives many folks up the wall, though this Far Side office building offers a new approach that both improves and worsens the experience. As a man steps into the elevator with his briefcase, he thinks about how much he despises elevator music, with the “elevator music” in question being played by a full orchestra.

On the one hand, the music must be more enjoyable when it’s played live as opposed to streaming from an overhead speaker. On the other hand, being surrounded by the musicians themselves must make the experience of riding an elevator increasingly awkward for all parties involved.

2

“Scene From a Corporate Fairy Tale”

First Published: October 3rd, 1987

The Far Side is never afraid to take things too far with violence and dark themes, and this cartoon throws realism out the window to depict a scenario that’s so haunting that it circles back to being hilarious. A group of employees discusses fluctuations in the market via a chart, only to be stunned when a wolf arrives at the door, his mouth open as he gazes upon his next meal.

The caption doesn’t offer much in the way of context, but it seems that the employees recognize the wolf as a threat to them, so it doesn’t take much thought to piece together what comes next. The juxtaposition between the unassuming workers and the monstrous wolf is stark, turning an everyday meeting into a potential massacre.

1

“You Apparently Forgot This Is A Cartoon”

First Published: April 2nd, 1990

Through his work on The Far Side, Gary Larson enjoyed breaking the fourth wall by utilizing meta humor, and this comic shatters it to pieces. A man sits at work as his boss approaches and, like any employee, he thinks unkind thoughts about his employer. However, in a shocking twist, his boss manages to read his mind – literally.

The man’s boss declares, “Lewis, you’re fired! You apparently forgot this is a cartoon, and I can read every word you think!” Working a corporate job is definitely not boring when you have to keep your inner monologue in check. As miserable as office jobs can be for those subjected to them, there’s solace in the fact that real bosses can’t overhear thoughts the way The Far Side‘s can.