Dating isn't easy, and The Far Side's characters have been through the wringer just as much as we have in the real world. The dating pool may be large and intimidating, but it seems that many people stumble upon the worst possible options all too frequently. While most single folks out there want to find their true love, it isn't easy to sift through the terrible options in that process.

In his work on The Far Side, Gary Larson chronicled the ups and downs - mostly downs - of dating. From men with major turn-offs that ruin the experience to overprotective parents who kill the mood, these comics cover all the bases and highlight the many ways that dates can go terribly wrong. Love awaits everyone in search of it, though finding that love is certainly not for the faint of heart. Without further ado, here are 10 Far Side comics that chronicle the horrors of the dating world.

10 "And Always Just Before a Big Date!"

First Published: May 4th, 1983

Sometimes, when it comes to dating, the worst part comes before the date even begins. Preparing for a date can be utterly nerve-wracking, and no one knows that better than the poor man in this Far Side cartoon. He stares at his reflection in dismay as he sees what appears to be a tree growing out of his head, and he says, "Wouldn't you know it! ... And always just before a big date!"

Like it or not, everyone has been in this gentleman's position before when the time comes for a date. Whether it's a gruesome zit or a bad hair day, there's always some unexpected complication that threatens to ruin the first impression - and as many are well aware, a first impression can make or break a potential relationship.

9 "Bobby Got Sheared Today, Luanne"

First Published: April 26th, 1986

As mentioned previously, first impressions matter when getting ready for a, and making the wrong impression can jeopardize the future of a relationship. In this cartoon, a sheep shows up to escort Luanne for a night out, but his appearance isn't what she'd expected. Luanne's mother points out his changed appearance by saying, "Bobby just got sheared today."

Luanne may have expected the Bobby she knew to be standing in her doorway, only to now be surprised with a naked and bandaged date. While looks definitely aren't everything, they still do matter to a degree, and Bobby losing his wool could be a big enough turn-off to change Luanne's mind about this date altogether. Next time, Bobby should try not to get sheared right before a big date with a girl.

8 "This May Not Be Wise on a First Date..."

First Published: January 22nd, 1988

First dates can be very hit or miss, and anything can go wrong at any moment. This date between snakes doesn't seem to be going too badly by the looks of it, but that changes when they decide to order their food at the fancy restaurant they're dining in. The male snake says, "This may not be wise on a first date, but I just gotta try your garlic wharf rats."

Through this Far Side cartoon, Larson is poking fun at people who eat foods on a date that make their breath smell foul. The stench of garlic can ruin a kiss, so this snake may be throwing away his chance at furthering this relationship - and for garlic wharf rats, no less.

7 "You Get My Daughter Home Before Sunrise"

First Published: May 6th, 1985

The partner one ends up with can make or break a date, but parents can also be a factor in souring a romantic experience. In this Far Side comic, a boy takes a vampire girl out while her parents watch disapprovingly. The vampire's father shouts, "You get my daughter home before sunrise - I don't want you coming back here with a pile of dried bones!"

There are two major issues with this date already. For starters, the vampire's parents not being the young man's biggest fans sets them up for failure from the get-go. Furthermore, the two of them seeing each other at all has potentially endangered the girl. If this date does last until sunrise, then this man will have some explaining to do with these vampires.

6 "I Just Don't Feel The Relationship Is Working Out"

First Published: August 12th, 1980

Unfortunately, even when a first date succeeds, that doesn't guarantee a long-term relationship. This particular couple demonstrates this as their latest date culminates in a break-up. A human woman sits across from a porcupine, and her face is covered in wounds - presumably from kissing her partner. She then says, "Look, I just don't feel the relationship is working out."

It's tough to end a relationship before it has had the opportunity to truly flourish, but this romance is clearly causing harm, so it's good that they know to let go. At the end of the day, this break-up may be for the best; after all, even in The Far Side, a relationship between a human and a porcupine can't be sustainable.

5 "He Felt Himself Turning Even Redder"

First Published: February 19th, 1991

The Far Side comics featured in this list thus far have included humans and animals, but this one takes the unrealistic dynamics further by portraying two apples on a date. All appears to be going swimmingly, as far as dates between apples go, but a sudden shift in apple Andy's visage shifts the tone of the evening. A worm squirms out of a hole in Andy's forehead to peer at his date, and the caption states that he "felt himself turning even redder".

While it's obviously not normal for a worm to pop out of someone's skull at the end of a romantic outing, there's a familiarity to Andy's feeling of embarrassing himself on a date. Having a crush can be seriously nerve-wracking, and the tiniest slip-up can cause immense humiliation.

4 "Not On Our First Date, You Don't!"

First Published: February 15th, 1984

Some people are fine with kissing on a first date, while others are more hesitant to move too fast. Then there are The Far Side's clowns, who have an entirely different set of customs, according to Gary Larson. These two clowns seem to be closing out their date, and the male clown decides to finish the night by smashing a pie in his partner's face.

She stops him in her tracks, exclaiming, "Not on our first date, you don't!" This pie-smashing ritual can be interpreted as a wacky metaphor for kissing on a first date, which this female clown is opposed to by the looks of it. The Far Side has never shied away from presenting absurd twists on real-life situations, and this clown date is no different.

3 "If I Just to Act Shy and Vulnerable..."

First Published: December 9th, 1982

The dating scene is rough, and though most of these list entries have covered dates themselves, the act of landing one is just as challenging. The man in this comic certainly understands this idea. He has a comically small stature, and he looks especially tiny as he gazes up at the normal-sized woman sitting beside him at a bar. He thinks to himself, "Well, here goes...If I just to act shy and vulnerable...."

Larson's commentary here is intended to mock men who put on a shy act to win the affection of women. Rather than being himself, this man is so insecure - reflected in his size - that he feels the need to pretend to be something he isn't in order to attract romantic attention.

2 "Date Rejection Lines"

First Published: April 3rd, 1992

What's more painful than a date going wrong? Try this: a date not taking place at all. Nothing stings quite as much as rejection when asking someone out, but these ladies in The Far Side rub salt into the wound by making flimsy excuses for their refusal. The top features a woman who tells a man over the phone, "Oh, I'm sorry, Bob, but I have to wash my hair tonight."

That excuse is bad enough, but the woman beneath her offers an even worse one: "Tonight I have to write my favorite detergent company and tell them how much I love their product." Honestly, it's better to tell the truth and let someone down easily when the alternative is an elaborate lie that doesn't even sound believable.

1 "Oh, Wonderful - You're Early"

First Published: November 18th, 1986

This couple may seem sweeter than most of the other entries on this list, but even green flags can turn into red flags. Here, a porcupine shows up for a date, and his romantic interest clearly isn't ready. Her quills are wrapped up in curlers, and she says with what seems to be a note of sarcasm, "Oh, wonderful - you're early."

There's a difference between arriving on time and arriving way too early for a date. It'd be embarrassing to be caught in a disheveled state by someone you're interested in, though that doesn't mean this relationship is a lost cause. As long as these porcupines arrive at the agreed-upon time moving forward, then this Far Side romance just might fare better than the rest.