Why Deer Were the Secret Stars of The Far Side: 8 Comics That Prove Gary Larson’s Genius

Gary Larson’s The Far Side is beloved for its absurd takes on cows, scientists, and aliens, but deer were arguably its unsung heroes. Across the strip’s 15-year run, Larson returned to deer again and again, mining their quiet, wide-eyed presence for surreal comedy. These 8 comics highlight why deer became a secret favorite—whether they’re plotting revenge on hunters, navigating office life, or revealing surprisingly human anxieties. Larson’s deer aren’t just forest backdrop; they’re fully realized characters with deadpan expressions and relatable neuroses. The strip’s genius was finding the funny in the mundane, and deer—often seen but not heard—were perfect vessels for that. From a buck at a cocktail party to a doe discovering her husband’s secret, Larson used deer to skewer human behavior with gentle absurdity. For fans and new readers alike, these panels show why The Far Side endures: it finds the extraordinary in the ordinary, one hoof at a time.