Gary Larson Releases First New FAR SIDE Comics in 25 Years

Even under normal circumstances this would qualify as amazing news, but in 2020 when everything is being cancelled it feels like a downright miracle: The Far Side is back. Gary Larson has released original strips of the iconic comic for the first time in 25 years.

While Larson might be using modern technology to draw the comics, it’s like he never left.

FarWorks, Inc.

Last year, without warning, The Far Side‘s official received an update. It featured an image of an explorer melting a block of ice with a blowtorch. That image unveiled some of Larson’s most iconic characters. The caption below read, “Uncommon, unreal, and (soon-to-be) unfrozen. A new online era of The Far Side is coming!” That new era officially began this week with three original comics, listed under “New Stuff.”

Larson wrote about why, after all these years, he’s finally excited about drawing again. He still drew the personal Christmas card he and his wife sent out every holiday. But each time he went for his trusty old pen he’d find that he’d forgotten to unclog it the year before. That led him to try a digital tablet for the first time, and it rekindled his passion for drawing.

“I got one, fired it up, and lo and behold, something totally unexpected happened: within moments, I was having fun drawing again. I was stunned at all the tools the thing offered, all the creative potential it contained. “

He ended his syndicated strip on January 1, 1995, so these are his first new releases. And while he says he’s “just exploring, experimenting, and trying stuff,” and this is decidedly not a “resurrection” of his daily strip, it’s only going to make fans crave even more new work.

It’s as funny, silly, sharp, and twisted as ever.

Taxidermist

Zorky Goes Hunting

Bears Eating Cub Scouts

I’ve read every Far Side strip ever. These are just as good as his original work. And they’re just as funny and dark, especially the last one—which is also the best.

This news is also one of the best things about 2020 so far. So while we know Larson isn’t planning on bringing back his daily comic strip, maybe he could do it every other day? We’ve never wanted to see a woman with a beehive hairdo more.

Featured Image: FarWorks, Inc.