Halloween brings classic monsters back into the spotlight: vampires leave their coffins, mummies return from ancient tombs, witches take to the sky and old monster films find their way into horror marathons. Gary Larson’s The Far Side offers a particularly strange take on that seasonal tradition.
These nine cartoons turn familiar horror figures into the punchline, from a vampire cow and a nightclub mummy to a werewolf who would rather stay furry. The strips were not created exclusively for Halloween, but their sideways humour makes October an ideal time to revisit them.
9. A vampire cow meets its match
Starting with a cow feels appropriate for Larson. He once said that he found the word “cow” funny and saw cows as tragic figures balanced between sadness and humour. That interest led to many unusual bovine jokes, including dinosaur cows, cannibal cows and, naturally, a vampire cow.
The joke turns vampire lore on its head: instead of being defeated by a stake through the heart, this unfortunate creature is brought down by a steak.
8. A dangerous gift for a vampire
Vampire stories traditionally treat sunlight as deadly, but this cartoon asks whether a sun lamp might have the same result. The cheerful expressions of the people presenting the gift suggest they are hoping the answer is yes.
7. A mummy takes the stage
Vampires are often presented as the seductive monsters, yet Larson gives a mummy the starring role in a strip about an exotic dancer unwrapping her bandages. The image raises an entertaining question: does the routine end with a heap of dust, or do the strips continue without end?
6. Witchcraft and beauty standards
Two witches discuss a neighbour’s cosmetic enhancement, but the gag depends on a distinctly witchy idea of appearance. In their world, a larger wart seems to be the feature that defines beauty and self-image.
5. The ammunition salesman has a secret
A man fires silver bullets at a werewolf before discovering that they are not actually silver. The second layer of the joke is even better: the salesman who supplied them is the werewolf himself, identifiable by the same rather conspicuous tie.
4. The werewolf’s preferred form
Werewolf stories usually focus on a person suffering through a transformation. This cartoon reverses that perspective. Here, the werewolf is unhappy about becoming a frail human, making the supposedly monstrous form seem like the desirable one.
3. Frankenstein’s monster needs a repair
This wordless visual gag shows an elderly woman using a sewing machine to mend Frankenstein’s monster. The precision of the ordinary domestic task, applied to such an extraordinary patient, carries the entire joke.
2. Monster relationship counselling
The Bride of Frankenstein, the 1935 Universal horror film, builds towards the Bride meeting Frankenstein’s monster. She screams when she sees him and the film ends soon afterwards. Larson’s version imagines the pair sitting together on a couch, apparently unhappy but at least sharing a quieter moment.
1. The Creature gets a happy ending
The Creature from the Black Lagoon is often overlooked beside vampires, werewolves, witches, mummies and Frankenstein’s monster. That makes this final cartoon especially appealing: the Creature looks delighted as he enjoys a wagon ride, finally receiving the cheerful moment he deserves.
More strange ways to enjoy classic arcade culture
Larson’s cartoons work because each one takes a familiar idea and shifts its point of view. That same instinct for reimagining familiar entertainment can be found in RETROCADE’s arcade blog, from unusual gaming history to practical advice for choosing a home setup.
If these monster-themed panels have you thinking about your own games room, explore the arcade machine collection, compare options in the arcade machine buying guide, or consider a space-saving bartop arcade. For a hands-on project, DIY arcade kits provide another route into the hobby.
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