See the Far Side Comic That Represents Your US State (Gary Larson's Hilarious Tour of America)

Though his work is popular around the world, Far Side's Gary Larson is an American cartoonist, with a lot of his work referencing his home country. Indeed, Far Side has so much affection for America that most US states are referenced somewhere in Larson's body of work. In recognition, we're collecting 50 Far Side comics - one to represent each US state.

From Alabama to Wyoming, here are the Far Side comics we think represent each US state, including explicit namechecks, impressive landmarks, and even local legends.

Alabama

This Isn't the List's Last Cowboy

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

FAR SIDE ALABAMA COMIC

Starting strong with a direct namecheck, Larson's comic references Stephen Foster's Oh! Susanna, which includes the lyric "I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee." In context, the lyrics suggest the singer is busking to get by, but in Gary Larson's world, it's transformed into a very literal medical condition.

Alaska

Far Side Has Its Own Version of Alaska's Fishing Bears

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

FAR SIDE FISHING BEAR COMIC

Alaska is known for its bountiful population of salmon, with a May to October salmon run that attracts grizzly bears to fish for their supper. Of course, in the world of Far Side, bears don't simply reach for the fish - they have custom devices made for the purpose.

Arizona

Arizona's Iconic Landmark Gets the Far Side Treatment

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

far side comic acme fills in the grand canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of America's most iconic landmarks... or at least it was until this Far Side character accidentally filled it in. Stretching over 277 miles and over a mile deep, the idea of one person filling in the Grand Canyon - let alone by accident - is a great visual gag from Larson.

Arkansas

Far Side's Iconic Cows Star in This Comic

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

FAR SIDE COWS OF OUR PLANET 2

In his 1992 Far Side collection Cows of Our Planet, Larson includes a guide to unusual and exotic cows from all around the world. Arkansans will recognize the fiendish 'Arkansas Baby Stomper' - a malevolent breed of bovine that seemingly lives only to grind the state's young under its gigantic hooves.

California

Far Side Always Had an Environmentalist Streak

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

FAR SIDE CUTTING DOWN A TREE COMIC

California is known for its redwoods and sequoias, with the strip above lamenting how humans undervalue the natural world around them. In this strip, two lumberjacks study the rings in a tree trunk, admiring how long the tree has lasted... while remaining blissfully ignorant of the fact that after such a long life, they're the ones who ended up thoughtlessly killing it. California's redwoods and sequoias are the tallest trees on Earth, making even the unfortunate specimen above look small.

Colorado

Far Side Warns Fans About the Perils of the Rocky Mountains

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

FAR SIDE MOUNTAIN GOATS COMIC

Colorado's Rocky Mountains include over 4000 named mountains, with more than 58 peaks over 14,000 feet. Sadly, in the world of The Far Side, those mountains are home to inconsiderate mountain goats whose constant littering makes potentially dangerous terrain even more hazardous.

Connecticut

Dinosaurs Are a Huge Part of Far Side's Humor

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

Custom Image by Robert Wood (from Gary Larson)

The Connecticut River Valley is famous the world over for its fossilized dinosaur footprints, including the state fossil Eubrontes. Far Side's scientists would be thrilled to visit Connecticut, even without the evidence of crushed hominids shown in the strip.

Delaware

An Iconic Painting Warped by The Far Side

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

Custom Image by Robert Wood (from Gary Larson)

George Washington crossing the Delaware was a major moment of American history, immortalized in Emanuel Leutze's 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. Larson draws his own, slightly more revealing, version of the painting, where it's revealed that the Father of His Country made the trip in a small rental boat.

Florida

Gary Larson Takes on the Home of Walt Disney World

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

far side disney comic

Florida is famous for its huge alligator population and being the home of uber-theme park Walt Disney World. Larson has a comic for both occasions, as a kid wearing (safely off-brand) Mickey ears confuses two snakes, who think they've found the ultimate prey, and an old woman feeds a group of alligators, not quite realizing the trouble she's inviting.

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

far side alligators

Georgia

Larson Unleashes His Favorite Trick: Overly Literal Song Lyrics

Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia

FAR SIDE DEVIL GOES DOWN TO GEORGIA

In this not-quite-a-namecheck comic, Gary Larson reimagines the lyrics to Charlie Daniels Band's The Devil Went Down to Georgia. While the song itself is a dark fable where young fiddle player Johnny manages to win a wager against Lucifer, reimagines it as more of a traditional business trip, including a custom carrying case for the Devil's pitchfork.

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