Comic History Lesson - The Far Side

Entrance exam for politics

Last week I showcased Calvin & Hobbes - equally as good and an equal favourite of mine is the wacky and demented world (or worlds) of Gary Larson.

Who at one point or another has sat in a library, had the desktop calendar, or been in a book store (not Whitcoulls I guess anymore) flicking through a few pages of these classics and had either a) a good old laugh, and/or b) not quite understood it?

Larson is the genius behind the double-entendre, the "what we're thinking but won't say", the absurdly ludicrous...pure and utter brilliance! He would be the cartoon equivalent of Zucker, Zucker and Abrahams.

Here is just a snippet - go out and treat yourself a couple of albums of his work instead of sitting in front of the goggle box one night. You won't regret it.

Comic History Lesson - Calvin & Hobbes

I was once compared to Calvin, the little rascal in the cartoons by Bill Watterson. I adore these cartoons, and used to cut them from the paper every day and kept them in envelopes. I now buy the books and read them over and over again...no one has understood my love for it, yet have never read them. I think because maybe I am like Calvin (although I tend to talk to myself, not a stuffed tiger) and love the innocence and naivety (but ultimately his cynicism) he has...

Some people like Peanuts, others Footrot Flats - to each his own, but here are a few of my favourite samples from the endless laughs of a young boy and his toy...

If you haven't read it, please go out and get one of the books (Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons and Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat are classics). There is now a complete anthology showcasing every strip made...hmmm, $300 well spent on my birthday??? Katie?