When talking about Gary Larson's beloved work is full of dark moments that are intended to shock readers. However, gruesome twists aren't all that can be found within his cartoons, and it can be argued that some of the best Far Side jokes are more traditionally silly.

The Far Side can be bleak when it wants to be, but the comics included in this list serve as definitive proof that Gary Larson has mastered more than one approach to comedy.

The Far Side can be bleak when it wants to be, but the comics included in this list serve as definitive proof that Gary Larson has mastered more than one approach to comedy. The "What-the?" reflex at the heart of Larson's work doesn't need to be achieved through underlying themes of violence or characters alluding to such unnerving themes. Sometimes, a lighthearted punchline is the better way to go. Now, here are the 10 funniest Far Side comics that lean into more innocent jokes for a change.

10 King Arthur's Knights Discuss Serious Matters

First Published: July 8th, 1980

This first comic directly combats heavier material with a lighter take that still manages to be just as - if not more - funny. King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table have convened for a discussion of some kind, and from the picture, one might assume that they're preparing for a perilous battle. The caption derails that theory, though, as Arthur offers a stern reminder for his allies: "No more stickin' your gum under the table."

It would have been easy to find a dark joke to tell with this cast of characters, yet Gary Larson makes the inspired choice to lean into lighthearted absurdity. King Arthur and his knights had plenty of fights to attend to, but the issue of the gum is evidently their most pressing dilemma.

9 Dogs Have Less On Their Minds Than You Think

First Published: March 25th, 1992

Gary Larson has given dogs a dangerous twist in some comics, but more often than not, these canine companions are at their most effective in a strip when they're bringing smiles to readers' faces. These dogs are no exception, as a scientist designs a device to understand the animals' speech and foster communication. As is expected from The Far Side, this plan doesn't play out as anticipated, as the dogs' barks simply translate to them greeting each other - over and over.

Dogs turning against their owners can certainly be fun to read. With that being said, there's also humor to be found in dogs' thoughts being limited to enthusiastic greetings. Sometimes, even in The Far Side, innocence can be more effective than violence.

8 The Far Side Takes Nursery Rhymes Literally

First Published: November 30th, 1987

Nursery rhymes are a childish concept by design, and Gary Larson uses that to his advantage to compose a comic that thrives on being unabashedly zany rather than veering into grim territory. A woman recites the familiar rhyme of "knick knack, paddy whack, give your dog a bone", then waits patiently. Moments later, an old man comes rolling home, finishing out the line in the original rhyme in a very literal fashion.

Many modern stories that implement nursery rhymes concern themselves with subverting the source material to render them needlessly dark for shock value. Larson, on the other hand, decides to present what a child might imagine from the rhyme. From that idea comes this lighthearted cartoon that readers of any age can love.

7 Even Cowboys Don't Mess With the Teapot Kid

First Published: October 2nd, 1992

Gary Larson's fascination with the Old West means that it's a recurring setting throughout The Far Side's run, though this cartoon is a strong contender for the goofiest comic to fall under that category. Hardened cowboys gather in a saloon, all of whom have seen their share of criminals during their travels, but there's one man they know not to get on the bad side of. That cowboy is Teapot Kid, named for his immature performance of the teapot song and dance.

While cowboys tend to engage in duels and other forms of violent activity within The Far Side, this particular bunch is clearly not meant to be as dark or serious. They simply stand by and watch Teapot Kid's wacky show without messing with him.

6 Clowns Get Self-Conscious Too, Believe It or Not

First Published: March 15th, 1985

Clowns are known for having cheery smiles on their faces at all times, but this clown is surprisingly grim. The caption in this comic explains that "Brian wondered if the other guys really listened to his ideas or regarded him only as comic relief." It doesn't take much inspection to deduce that Brian is the clown in the picture, side-eyeing the normal men as they all ride together in a car.

The image of a clown riding in a car and worrying that he's viewed as a joke is unreasonably funny, and the look on Brian's face alone can earn a laugh from just about anyone. Gary Larson has made clowns carry out dark deeds to serve as a punchline, but this clown's grounded insecurities are even sillier.

5 Twins Don't Get Along, Even in the Womb

First Published: August 10th, 1990

Anyone who has a sibling knows that it's common for them to butt heads at every turn. Here, The Far Side suggests that sibling rivalries can even begin in the womb prior to birth. A woman receives an ultrasound to see how her pregnancy is going, and the nurse shows her the image on a monitor of her twins. Surprisingly, they're wearing novelty t-shirts inside of her belly. One twin's shirt reads "stupid", whereas the other's reads "I'm with stupid".

These twins haven't been born yet, and they've somehow found a way to poke fun at one another against the odds. Sure, the imagery of two fetuses in matching shirts that mock each other isn't exactly highbrow comedy, but it's definitely hilarious.

4 Lice Aren't Immune to Poor Dining Experiences

First Published: March 3rd, 1992

We've all been forced to endure an unpleasant dining experience from time to time, but this Far Side cartoon pushes that to a comedic extreme by portraying it through the perspective of lice. These lice are partaking in a meal upon someone's scalp, but one of them has a complaint. It calls a waiter over and pointedly asks, "Is that a hair in my salad?"

Seeing as the lice are feeding on a person's head, they should all anticipate hair being present in their food, yet the lack of awareness makes this comic funny. Somehow, Gary Larson makes this bonkers premise work in a comic by embracing the ridiculousness at its core, thus creating something that can be enjoyed by readers who seek a harmless chuckle.

3 Farmer Dave Gets a Rude Awakening

First Published: December 11th, 1986

Most readers are likely aware of the trope in which roosters are up early in the morning and awaken sleeping humans with their loud "cock-a-doodle-doo" sounds. In The Far Side, though, that scenario plays out in a different way. Farmer Dave is seen trying to get a few more minutes of sleep once the sun has risen, but his chickens aren't letting him off that easily.

Rather than making incoherent sounds as usual, one chicken starts using words to yell at Dave and tell him to wake up. The Far Side is known to play around with the dynamics between humans and animals, and this comic feeds into that trope by making the chickens dominant over Farmer Dave as they hilariously order him around.

2 The Far Side's Vikings Really Do Mean Business

First Published: April 9th, 1990

As menacing as vikings can be on a surface level, they also have a goofy side, and this comic proves it. A king and his guards watch in horror as vikings prepare to storm their castle, and one of them exclaims, "My God! Vikings! And they mean business!" This phrase would typically suggest that they're prepared for a serious battle, but instead, the vikings all hold briefcases as they walk in an orderly fashion.

Gary Larson's love for wordplay is on full display here, as he takes a common phrase and once again presents it in the most literal way possible. These vikings do indeed mean business, but in a straightforward sense rather than a metaphorical one, culminating in a delightfully absurd take on a viking raid.

1 The Far Side Somehow Makes Aliens Relatable

First Published: December 28th, 1983

While much of Gary Larson's brand of humor in The Far Side consists of making the familiar feel unfamiliar, this last comic flips that trope on its head by making the unfamiliar hit close to home. An alien spaceship lands on Earth, which would normally be the setup for a frightening sci-fi film in which they try to overtake the planet. As the humans wait in suspense for this first encounter, one alien tumbles down the ship's stairs in a comical manner.

One of the other aliens complains, "So much for instilling them with a sense of awe." This awkward - yet undeniably relatable - moment has completely ruined the aliens' attempt at a dramatic entrance. Leave it to The Far Side to turn an alien invasion into a silly comic strip!