One reason whyThe Far Sidecontinues to endure the test of time is because Gary Larson has always explored timeless themes. It doesn’t matter if it’s touched on in 1979 or 2079. Some themes in this world will forever be relatable, and certain feelings never grow old, and one of the most enduring is the sense of feeling lost.
To clarify, we’re not talking about feeling emotionally lost, thoughThe Far Sidehas explored that too.This refers to the very real and relatable experience of being literally lost, like being stranded in the middle of nowhere without a map, a watch, or any means of contact. Everyone’s been there at some point, whether it’s from misreading directions, taking a wrong turn, dealing with a broken GPS, or just ending up in the wrong place at the wrong time.The Far Sideoften taps into relatable moments, but on more than one occasion, the classic comic strip has used humor to capture the fear and embarrassment that come from getting lost.
11"Don’t Put Your Mouth On It!"
First Published: June 21, 2025
In times of being lost, to keep the situation from getting worse, it’s important to stay calm at all times and maintain decorum. These two gentlemen have the right idea. Despite being hot, tired, and dehydrated, they have enough decency not to push and shove in a line for two. Instead, they line up in an ordered fashion in front of the water fountain. Unfortunately,at least one of these gentlemen lacks the decency not to put their mouths on the fountainhead.
Stranded or not, there’s no need to spread germs to the fountain for the next unsuspecting person to swab with. That’s a rule they teach everyone in grade school when lining up in front of the fountain. Introducing your tongue to a fountainhead is just plain gross. That said, evengrosser things have happened inFar Sidecomics, but it’s still plain nasty.
10"…Probably Want to Borrow a Cup of Water."
First Published: July 17, 2025
Everyone has opinions about their neighbors.They can be helpful and welcoming, or flat-out annoying.The neighbors in this case fall squarely into the latter category. What sets this“neighborhood”apart, though, is that there isn’t much of a neighborhood at all (nor a home) when four people are stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Still, it goes to show that even in isolation, the wrong company can make a bad situation worse. Especially when the Andersons won’t stop asking for water.
9"We’ve Finally Been Spotted!"
First Published: July 30, 2025
The only true relief from being lost is to be found, but even that comes with its own disadvantages. There is a euphoric feeling that comes with being discovered after drifting alone for what feels like forever. However, if you are stranded in the middle of the ocean and your supposed savior turns out to be a massive ship heading straight toward you without noticing, you might start wishing you were still lost.
When the alternative is being cut in half by a ship,most people would rather bide their time in isolation. In the worst case scenario, and in this comic the only one, things quickly shift from a humorous take on being lost to a terrifyingly simple way tomeet the Grim Reaper.
8"LOST!"
First Published: Jun 04, 2025
As easily as people can get lost, so can their pets. Animals go missing just as frequently as people do. Walking through any local neighborhood, one is bound to find a missing poster for any breed of dog or cat. It’s not so much that these are the most common animals to go missing, but it is simply abnormal to see other pets listed as missing on such posters. Maybe it’s actually more unusual to own abnormal pets than it is for them to go missing. Either way,it’s not every day you see a missing snake poster.
How one goes about catching andreturning a missing 30-foot-long snaketo its owner, especially without a collar, is anyone’s guess. This is another example of how Gary Larsonhad his readers pondering tough questions.
7"I HAVEN’T GOT A QUARTER!"
First Published: July 15, 2025
When someone is lost or in distress, their first instinct is usually to reach out for help.In modern times, that might mean sending a text, hailing a cab, or calling an Uber or Lyft. Of course, all of those options become useless when you’re stranded on an island. Thankfully, in the digital age, the biggest obstacle to making a call when you’re lost is usually just a lack of Wi-Fi or a dead battery.
In the past,people relied on landlines and telephone booths to make calls before the invention of portable devices.In the case of phone booths, one couldn’t make a phone call without inserting a coin or two, and as evident here, not everyone’s lucky enough to have money andaccess to a phone.
First Published: July 21, 2025
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When someone finds themselves lost, it can feel like nothing could get worse. However,sometimes when it seems nothing can be worse, things still have a chance to worsenwithout you even realizing it. Take this trio ofunfortunate souls lost at sea, for example. They are already stranded in the middle of the ocean, so things look pretty grim. In theory, coming across a mysterious box might be resourceful enough to help get them out of this mess.
Of course, that is assuming this is not a scenario where themysterious box is filled with sharp objects destined to pop their rubbery raft at any moment.In fact, even the rough edge of a wooden box might be enough to do the trick. In short, things could get much, much worse for these unsuspecting individuals.
4"Venom Pushers"
First Published: August 01, 2025
The term pusher typically applies to a drug peddler of some kind, but in the context of this comic, it’s used to describe a snake trying to push their suspicious glass of ominous liquid onto an unassuming individual.That’s the thing about getting lost: be wary of strangers.Strangers in unfamiliar territory can be wolves in sheep’s clothing, appearing to be helpful only to take advantage of an unsuspecting victim when they are at their most vulnerable. This is no different.
ThisFar Sidecomicalso has biblical connotations, as a snake trying to lure an innocent soul with something temptingechoes the visual of a Luciferian snake offering Eve the apple.Hopefully, this Adam thinks twice about accepting any offer from a snake, or sipping a liquid that may or may not be poisonous.
3"And Now That’s the Last of That!"
First Published: August 15, 2025
It’s essential to prepare for the possibility of getting lost. No one hopes or even expects to get lost, but keeping resources and an emergency kit on one’s person or in the trunk of the car isn’t a bad way to prepare for the unexpected. One of these deserted fellows seems to haveprepared for the worst by having a bottle of Buzzard Begone sprayon their person whilein the middle of the desert. Great idea in theory, except he tosses his spray can away as buzzards are swarming from above them.
Whether it’s because he doesn’t think he needs it at the most inopportune time, or because he runs out of spray when he needs it most, that’s open to interpretation. One thing is for sure: if there were another panel,readers would see him wishing he had more spray.
2"We’ve Won! We’ve Won!"
First Published: June 26, 2025
This is a unique form of being lost, one that is layered with complexity. The man in question is the last survivor of what seems to be a violent war, a conflict where both sides perish, except for him. Yet,he still screams,“We won!“even though there is no longer a"we"to speak of.While this moment is undeniably funny, it is alsoone of Gary Larson’s darker, more bittersweet entries in his iconic series. In fact, it could even be considered oddly relevant to today’s world.
Some may interpret this as a commentary on how no one truly wins in war, leaving everyone either dead or stranded, with no sense of where they are anymore. Larson masterfully employs dramatic irony, prompting the reader to reflect on more than just the humor and engage in a deeper contemplation of the situation.
