The Complete Far Side: 1980-1994

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.

Brilliant collection from a brilliant cartoonist. Love it!

Complete collection of Larsen cartoons. You will need to study some of them to "get it".

OK

There are people who do not like Gary Larson. . . . . . (?!!!).Yeah, I know. Don't understand that either.To my way of thinking he is the greatest cartoonist that ever walked the earth. Unlikely ever to be another to rival him.I discovered his work 30 years ago, and those same drawings still make me laugh out loud. What really amazes me is that there are hundreds of them, and only a very few of them that I do not "get". How does he do that? What I do know is that I take great comfort in the fact that this guy, who has the Same sense of humour I do, is worshiped the world over.I love that the collection is so totally complete, love that it is substantial, so beautifully bound and published.I dislike that it is impractical to read in bed, but with cooperation my wife and I do manage to do so.So, what are you waiting for, you're reading this, so you know Gary Larson. Just buy the thing already!(I did, and I'm still OK. Really, I am).

For over five and a half years, I have the Complete Edition of the Far Side by Gary Larson.These big and heavy books (I think they have a weight of more the twenty kilogram together) are filled with all the funny cartoons of Gary Larson from 1980 until 1994. Mostly drew in black & white, but sometimes in grey shades and also in FULL COLOUR!!! The slipcase that holds the two books together is very beautiful too! Two full-coloured sides! I love the humour of Gary Larson. My parents had years ago every year the 365 -days tear-off calendar of the Far Side. Each page of it gave us a bunch of laughter. Most of the pages are kept for saving. And I have some old comic books of the Far Side. But this two big booked Complete Edition of the Far Side is my most possessed bunch of comics after all. I really love Gary Larson and his Far Side Cartoons! When I looked at it and reading the text below each cartoon, you can wipe me up! Every time I'm laughing about it! Gary Larson, you are a legend!!! The Far Side rocks!!!!!!! Every fan of Gary Larson must have this two booked Complete Edition! Cows, insects, grandparents, parents-in law and other animals and human people, watch out! Here comes the Far Side!!!!!

Humour holds up and the collection is really solid.

Wer Gary Larson mag, kommt an dieser Edition nicht vorbei. Es wird nicht besser.

Fun to re-read these old cartoons. The cases are durable which is good for paperback books.

Snabb leverans och en bra produkt

Better late than never - good quality