During the 1980s and 1990s, the comic strip section of daily newspapers offered a stark contrast in tone. While strips like Peanuts and Garfield relied on mild, domestic squabbles, The Far Side introduced a much darker sensibility. Death and the afterlife were not just background elements but central punchlines. Gary Larson found particular amusement in depicting the underworld, making Satan a recurring character in his work.
Unlike most characters in the strip who appeared only once, the Devil returned often. Larson’s version of Satan was rarely benevolent, often portrayed as annoyed, bureaucratic, or simply unimpressed by earthly visitors. Below are six notable strips that highlight this specific aspect of the comic.
Pizza Delivery in Hell
One of the most famous instances of Satan appearing in The Far Side occurred in a strip published on June 11, 1988. The scene depicts a pizza delivery driver arriving at the gates of Hell. Satan is visibly irritated by the intrusion. He tells the driver that the order is going straight back and that he will have a “little chat” with whoever placed it.
The humor in this strip relies on the absurdity of the situation. The pizza box bears the slogan “Jerry’s Pizza: We Deliver Anywhere.” The detail underscores the idea that even in the afterlife, earthly conveniences can cause problems. For a place defined by eternal suffering, a mediocre pizza is a surprisingly effective source of frustration.
Literal Interpretations of Idioms
Larson frequently took common phrases and interpreted them literally. In a 1982 strip, he tackled the expression “to hell and back.” The comic shows a man displaying vacation slides from a trip to the underworld. One slide features his wife standing next to the Devil. The Devil appears happy to be photographed, while the wife looks bored by the encounter.
This approach to language was a staple of the strip. Other examples include a cowboy who literally rode into the sun and sharks dressed in evening wear to “dress to kill.” These visual puns required the reader to understand the idiom before appreciating the literal twist.
Specific Versions of Hell
Not all depictions of Hell in The Far Side were identical. Larson often created specific circles of torment tailored to the sins or annoyances of the damned. A 1990 strip titled “Bowler’s Hell” shows a bowler facing an impossible split. The Devil comments on the bummer of the situation, implying that endless, frustrating strikes are the ultimate punishment for a bowling enthusiast.
Musical instruments also served as tools for specific tortures. In one strip, a classical conductor is horrified to find his orchestra filled only with banjos. In another, the strip contrasts Heaven and Hell based on the instruments given to the dead. Those who go to Heaven receive harps, while those sent to Hell are given accordions. Larson’s repeated jabs at banjos and accordions suggest a strong personal distaste for these instruments.
Another specific hell involves dogs. In a 1986 strip, dogs sentenced to eternal damnation are forced to work as mailmen. This role reverses their usual status as victims of postal workers, turning them into the arch-nemesis of their own kind. The strip predates the animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven, suggesting the idea was not a direct parody of that movie.
These strips demonstrate Larson’s ability to find humor in the mundane and the macabre. By placing everyday frustrations in an eternal context, he created a unique brand of dark comedy that remains distinct in the history of newspaper comics.
Source: Polygon
