The Complete Far Side

This review is for the hard cover edition.I won't critique the quality of the individual cartoons contained in this book as anyone looking to purchase it will have an idea of the genius that is Gary Larson.Despite their age, the humour in the single panel comic strips still holds up well today and this collection is great for dipping in and out of when you need to have a break from the mundane and take a trip to the far-side.The books are very comprehensive containing all the cartoons published under the far side name and is printed on high quality stock.The cartoons are well presented and coloured sensitively or left in their original monochrome.If you can get it at the right price, then this 2-book edition is a nice object to own.I have a few issues with the books that should reduce my rating slightly, but won't because the collection is so comprehensive.Each of the 2 hardback books are heavy. Carrying round both books in the solid slip-case make things worse. For those of you with a bad back, the 3 book paperback version should be a little more user friendly.Although billed as "the complete", it is missing a few things such as- The "Weiner dog art" insert from the small book/collection with the same name.- The "curse of Madame C" strip from the small book with the same name.- The Lightbulb/music stand gag (dedication to the authors father) from "last chapter and worse"- The dedication to the artists brother from "The Far Side Gallery 5"- Images of the covers and unique artwork from the original paperback books (such as the cover from "Night of the crash test dummies" or the "Portrait" artwork from the "far-side gallery 3"I also noticed that one or two captions have been changed. For example, the "Orangutan in the guitar shop" cartoon in this collection is different to the one used in the UK edition of "last chapter and worse".None of these issues are the end of the world as the missing content is easily available in the original paperback collections. These books can be easily and inexpensively obtained on the second hand market.It would also have been nice to include some non-syndicated but very far-side content such as- The time magazine cover- The complete "Natures Way" comics (the pre-cursor to the far-side)- The "doggin around" LP coverSo overall this is a very nice object to own with a comprehensive set of great content and despite some minor complaints about what could have been included I would thoroughly recommend.One word of caution is that the 3 book paperback re-issue is more user friendly and will fit most peoples budgets now that the hard back version is out of print and getting expensive.

A formal description of this book saying that it contains all the published Far Side cartoons, published chronologically, with inserted essays from the author and more than a few letters of complaint (or bemusement ) from the public , seems a little inadequate. I feel it needs a little more pep than that. So here goes ........This is a monster of a book. Its huge. And its very likely to eat up many hours of the day after you purchase it. While not fitting the normal format of a "page turner" this is exactly what it is - you can't help but just turn over and check out another page: you may come upon a classic "The Holsteins Visit the Grand Canyon" or "The Real Reason Dinosaurs Died Out" - you may come upon gems you have never seem before (so I can't describe them to you!). But what you will do is be amazed at the strange and wonderful world that Gary Larson created.Yes the book is heavy, no I don't think you will be able to read it in bed, yes the pictures could have been larger - but that would have only compounded the first two issues, and yes the price is attached to the box - but when you see the look at the cows faces, or you encounter a crocodile being pushed out of a maternity ward with a broom, do you really care about such things.This is a wonderful collection of warped and splendid humour - and at the time of writing its half price! Do yourself a favour - buy it.As you may have guessed - it comes highly recommended.

I received at least 3 copies of The Far Side Calendar as Xmas Gifts for about 8 years. I was already giggling in anticipation of getting this Monster (Heavyweight) Collection delivered.People who buy this are probably devout Larson fans, and know (or think they do) how Larson's mind works. For most people, I'd say THEIR minds work just like my own and Gary's as well. For those who AREN'T familiar with it, you had better beware ! Little shakes of the head - in response to Gary's lunacy, suppressed giggles at the sudden realisation of what the Cartoon is portraying, and great guffaws when his well-known characters present a still-life image of a moment in time, a well-known phrase or a situation in life that perhaps you'd never even considered. The pictures say it all, and if there IS a caption to go with it, it is usually unnecessary.It is pure genius... loaded with sarcasm, severe intelligence and something for everyone !! Gary is a Cartoon Master of Human (and Monster) expressions. It adds the subtle touch that sets off your chuckle muscles.I don't have ONE favourite... but the Lady with a Basket of Eggs looking oddly at..... (no I won't spoil it)

these went down a treat

As a big fan of Gary Larson's creative output, I have considered buying these books for a very long time, but was waiting for the right price/occasion to justify the expenditure. That price (in fact a very good price indeed) arrived upon my retirement; how on earth could I resist? Well clearly I couldn't and I am very glad I didn't.To have the Farside chronologically laid out on quality paper, some in colour, is a delight. The individual paperback volumes of the Farside that were produced before the Complete Far Side are black & white and on low(er) quality paper, which never did justice to the Far Side. That injustice is now resolved in my home with the arrival of these hardback volumes. Delighted with this purchase, which will provide many hours of enjoyment in the future. There is only one negative, they are very, very heavy.