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More often than not, The Far Sidepanels come from the deepest depths of Gary Larson's imagination. He drew ideas from random catchy quips, proverbs, puns, and anything else that could possibly catch his eye. As the strip ran for decades, it was only natural that he would draw comedy from everything.
Movies, of course, became a significant source for Larson's ideas. As Westerns have been a Hollywood staple for over a century, Larson did have many strips that appealed directly to anyone who loves the Western genre. While The Far Side itself is not part of that genre, it still appeals to Western audiences.
Runaway Stages Aren't Like Trains
You Can Just Shoot the Engines
One of the most exciting parts of any Western movie comes with the practically inevitable chase scene. Characters leap atop a train, stage, or horse and desperately attempt to put a stop to the chase before it goes on too long. At times, it can mean that characters are forced to leap from horse to horse while trying to safely stop a stage.
In The Far Side's version of history, however, horses have fewer rights. Rather than attempting to save the horses, a bandit simply shoots them all, bringing the stage to an unfortunate stop. It's a surer way to rob his victim, but it makes for a difficult escape opportunity, given that there are no more horses to steal. Either way, it's a particularly dark strip.
You Can Always Cut Them Off at the Pass
It's a Common Western Trope
Because chase scenes are so important in Westerns, there are tropes entirely dedicated to Western chases. After all, a viewer can always expect that one rider will be followed from an entire horde. Though they appear to have a lead over their pursuers, there is always a way to "cut 'em off at the pass".
In The Far Side, that reality is even more literal, as there are physical signs instructing pursuers to cut off victims at "the pass." It's a wonder that the original rider still chose the more difficult path, but it could very well be an attempt to prove themselves. That, or they lack the ability to read. Either option is possible.
Cowboys Learn the Magic Word
Always Say Please
Every culture has its own beliefs about politeness, but it is a generally enduring concept. While it might be polite to turn down food in some cultures, others might demand that guests partake in every refreshment. In Gary Larson's portrayal of the Wild West, cowboys are polite to a fault, but they generally default to words.
Even while preparing for shootouts, cowboys demand that their rivals draw their guns before they raise their own. In doing so, however, they must say "the magic word", which is likely nothing more than "Please." It's a ridiculous concept when they are about to be firing at their opposition, but no one ever said that The Far Side's humans are especially logical.
Cowboys Don't Always Understand Their Jobs
The Horses Are Very Important
While Western movies generally portray cowboys as gun-toting warriors who will do anything to defend their herd, they were not always competent when it came to other tasks. After all, asking cowboys to torture everyday people would likely end with some confused cowboys.
In The Far Side, when asked to drag a victim, the cowboys neglect to realize that they are supposed to be carrying him behind their horses. It should have been a torturous death, but it instead is a nice journey through the desert. It's somewhat ridiculous, but that's what makes this strip so fun.
Cowboys and Aliens Work Well Together
Aliens Even Make Good Cowboys
Cowboys and aliens have been an enduring concept for decades, though the two could not be more distinct. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford even starred in Cowboys & Aliens in 2011, blending two genres into one baffling movie. Unfortunately for them, Larson thought of the idea first.
The Far Side's aliens live much like humans do. While they might have gigantic eyes, green skin, and buck teeth, the aliens had a Wild West of their own, complete with a saloon, drinks, and cowboy hats. Unfortunately, their enormous eyes mean that they are always looking at everyone around them, prompting the classic Western line, "What are you looking at?" at the bar.
Indigenous Americans Had an Advantage
Sometimes, Just Light Stages on Fire
In the fight between the American settlers and the Indigenous Americans, pilgrims and cowboys generally had one major advantage: Guns. While they had little knowledge of the land and its inhabitants, they had rifles that could shoot further, cause more death, and were generally easier to master. Unfortunately for them, they lacked one trait: Fire.
The Indigenous people, who sometimes used arrows, could set their shafts alight and burn through entire carriages. Fire arrows were used in real life, and they could cause massive damage, though they were harder to control than ordinary shots. It's funny to imagine Western travelers realizing that their supposedly superior weapons could not out-burn a bow.
Every Cowboy Needs a Good Sidekick
Who Else Is There To Teach?
In Westerns, the protagonist sometimes has a loyal follower to trail behind and tend to their every need. Sometimes, they are apprentices, hoping to learn the tricks of the trade from an accomplished cowboy or sheriff. Sometimes, however, they simply existed to provide some comedic relief.
In The Far Side, cowboys could recruit their sidekicks at the local General Store. These sidekicks ranged from old men to Indigenous people, who yearned to be selected by the protagonist. While this comic is rightfully controversial, given the Indigenous man's coloring, it does poke fun at an absurd Western trope.
There Are Always Harmonicas, Unfortunately
It's Just Like in the Wild West
In Western movies, it seems that every trip to the Wild West is accompanied by a man with a harmonica. The musician, who always performs perfectly without any hesitation, will entertain the camp through the night. Sometimes, harmonica music plays even without a performer nearby, though the characters never notice it.
In The Far Side, musicians do not always need to appear to torment the cast. One group of pilgrims were forced to listen to strange harmonica noises every time they settled down to go to bed. It's a haunting thought, especially since they heard the music and were never sure where it was coming from.
Some Towns Were Deadlier Than Others
You Didn't Want To Get Caught in This Town
Like it was in the Middle Ages, life in the Wild West often left everyday people in life-or-death situations. In Westerns, there is always a strict police force, but many characters disregard the law entirely. They choose to live a life of crime, never minding how many people they kill along the way. When caught, they could be imprisoned or executed, depending on the whims of the local sheriff.
In Larson's world, however, there is an even greater punishment for criminals to fear: Tickling. Every criminal is strung up along a tree, while the sheriff's deputy tickles their armpits relentlessly. While absurd, it is difficult to imagine anyone wanting to commit crimes knowing that such a fate could await them. With this strip, Larson might be onto something.
Never Ride Off Into the Sunset
It Gets Very Hot Very Fast
Many Westerns end with the protagonists bidding farewell to a town in the Wild West and riding off into the sunset. They leave behind an embattled town, never to return as the sun rises or sets in front of them. It represents the dawn of a new era, the end of an old conflict, and a period of renewal for people who desperately need it.
In The Far Side, however, the sun is much closer to Earth than it seems. When cowboys ride off into the sunset, they return with burning clothes, melting skin, and a wounded pride. It's one of the most absurd concepts from The Far Side, making an off-hand phrase extremely literal, but it is undoubtedly extremely funny.
