The first The Far Side comic strip ever created by cartoonist Gary Larson set the tone for the humorous series right from the very beginning. A recovered interview reveals how Larson's first strip informed the direction of his iconic comic.
The Far Side it's distinct and iconic voice. Though Larson retired in 1995, the comic strip's popularity has never waned, with The Far Side merchandise such as calendars and greeting cards, as well as compilation books, continuing to sell quite well.
The First Far Side Comic Introduced Its Iconic Caveman Humor
With literally thousands of comics in The Far Side property, some fans may be surprised to discover the strip's best elements were there from the beginning. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote a retrospective on Gary Larson, whose cartooning career had its start at the illustrious paper. The Chronicle dug into its archives and found the very first comic strip Larson submitted to the paper. The strip, which ran on New Year's Eve 1979, shows two cavemen standing next to wheel made out of a rock. The caveman closest to the rock proclaims that the new invention will change the world, though he's actually referring to the hammer and chisel rather than the expected wheel.
Right from the start, it looks like Larson knew exactly the sort of tone he wanted for his strip. Anyone familiar with The Far Side's brand of humor can see the same sort of magic found in his later works is also present here. The misdirection. The offbeat humor. Even the caveman setting, something that Larson would wind up getting a lot of mileage out of. It's hard to imagine that any cartoonist would find their voice with their very first outing. And yet, The Far Side's irreverent themes and nuances are all here. Looking back on Larson's first strip, it's understandable why The Far Side is so beloved: It's got a consistency that few comic strips can match.
The Far Side's First Strip Proves its Consistency
Early projects from artists don't always capture the feel of a work as it can take years for any kind of creative to find their voice. But the first Far Side strip shows that Larson had the identity of his cartoon figured out right from the start. That's not to say that The Far Side didn't evolve over its decade-and-a-half-long existence. Larson did, however, have an idea of what worked with the strip and hit the ground running hard, creating one of the most beloved and hysterical comic strips around. Larson's cartoon has always been good for a chuckle due to its strange and charming nature. And that's a truth that stretches back to the very first Far Side comic.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
