# What's the funniest single panel cartoon you've ever seen?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 14, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531 "2016-10-14T17:48:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 13

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**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/241 "2016-11-05T20:29:55Z")

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> [@Bullitt](#):
>
> Can someone explain this one? Seriously, I don’t get it. Thanks.

I think it’s absurdist - the humor is in the ridiculous situation.

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**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/242 "2016-11-05T20:49:39Z")

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> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#):
>
> I think it’s absurdist - the humor is in the ridiculous situation.

Right, it’s funny because it’s so ludicrous. Just what memory is being evoked? The mind boggles!

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/243 "2016-11-05T21:02:34Z")

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> [@EinsteinsHund](#):
>
> You’re not alone. Only thing I can think of is maybe “kangaroo court”, but that’s not really funny.

Thurber’s cartoons were never exactly knee-slappers…

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**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/244 "2016-11-05T22:40:12Z")

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Thanks, folks.

This has been a great thread, I am enjoying all the good ones. Haven’t seen my favorite yet. I’ll include it when I’m caught up.

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**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/245 "2016-11-06T00:39:48Z")

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> [@Evin](#):
>
> The [shoe salesman](https://tedconfblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/shoe-salesman1.jpg?w=900&h=698)
> 
> I could not open some links so I am not 100% sure this has not been posted.:smack:

I liked this one, too. My wife looks at _ **every option** _ when shopping. She liked this too.

Alright, all caught up. Great thread, some real gems!  
Here’s mine. Background: working in a regulated industry where many SOPs are too verbose,  
this Far Side captures the essence of brevity: [Cow Branding](https://www.google.com/search?q=far+side+smoking+dinosaurs&biw=1024&bih=679&tbm=isch&imgil=TOWRzbtg4b-G9M%253A%253BHGs2-OsfcYKxDM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%25252Fpin%25252F133700682661213227%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=TOWRzbtg4b-G9M%253A%252CHGs2-OsfcYKxDM%252C_&usg=__ChVPaU7z8p62OhNMylocBf7ri2U%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjszqbErdvPAhWF4yYKHeLMADMQyjcIKw&ei=vF0BWOyAD4XHmwHimYOYAw#tbm=isch&q=far+side+branding+cattle&imgrc=FVV6glT8S1txcM%3A).

One of my all-time favorites.

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**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/246 "2016-11-06T00:41:51Z")

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I don’t know who did either one or where they first appeared but ------

one was a single panel showing an alien in front of a spaceship saying “You are all modeled on an average human we captured in 1945 ---- now go out and mingle”. And a pack of say 20 Hitler clones.

The other was a multi-panel showing a couple hunters in a boat making gestures into the air. One hunter said “I wonder why we aren’t getting any ducks” and the other replies “Maybe we aren’t throwing the dog high enough” and ends with a cartoon-balloon over their heads saying “Aaarf!”

Anything B Kliben or Farside is good but those two I can still picture in my brain 40 years or more removed.

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**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/247 "2016-11-06T03:47:16Z")

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This is corny as hell, but after maybe 40 years, I still think it’s funny. A guy walks into a shop called “Kal’s Kwality Korner”, to return a faulty product. He says “You call this kwality?”

Another one shows a goofy harmless guy lying in bed. Underneath are two monsters. One says “There it is again. I keep thinking there is someone on top of the bed.”

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**Author:** ![ChickenLegs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@ChickenLegs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChickenLegs)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/248 "2016-11-06T13:58:17Z")

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[![](http://www.funnyfidos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/funny-dog-cartoon-lost-puppy.jpg) ](http://www.funnyfidos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/funny-dog-cartoon-lost-puppy.jpg)

[![](https://www.slowrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/cdn.slowrobot.com/12232012171668.jpeg) ](https://www.slowrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/cdn.slowrobot.com/12232012171668.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/249 "2016-11-06T16:01:05Z")

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> [@jtur88](#):
>
> Another one shows a goofy harmless guy lying in bed. Underneath are two monsters. One says “There it is again. I keep thinking there is someone on top of the bed.”

[![](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/41/62/f5/4162f56a3ffcc864380387b04d5bb3b5.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/41/62/f5/4162f56a3ffcc864380387b04d5bb3b5.jpg)

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**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/250 "2016-11-06T19:10:42Z")

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> [@Bullitt](#):
>
> Can someone explain this one? Seriously, I don’t get it. Thanks.

I laughed. I assume any event “in my world” that involved a kangaroo would be memorable. It would be hard to be sit in front of a judge and say "I don’t remember ".

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**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/251 "2016-11-06T19:15:46Z")

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I’ve loved this one for decades (took me ages to find on line … though that probably says more about me).

Top of the page …

[http://www.mrboffo.com/b\_archives/1987/archive18.html](http://www.mrboffo.com/b_archives/1987/archive18.html)

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**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/252 "2016-11-06T20:03:34Z")

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This one is too true to be funny…

> **[Duty Calls](https://xkcd.com/386/)**
>
> What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!

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**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/253 "2016-11-06T20:25:40Z")

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> [@ChickenLegs](#):
>
> [http://www.funnyfidos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/funny-dog-cartoon-lost-puppy.jpg](http://www.funnyfidos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/funny-dog-cartoon-lost-puppy.jpg)
> 
> [http://cdn.slowrobot.com/12232012171668.jpeg](http://cdn.slowrobot.com/12232012171668.jpeg)

Thanks so much! My favorite lost puppy cartoon and a new-to-me christmas one. Wonderful.

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**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/254 "2016-11-07T19:44:54Z")

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> [@Folly](#):
>
> I see the big horse in the comic, but I’m not sure I get it.

It’s a big horse, how fast it must gallop.

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**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/255 "2016-11-07T23:23:02Z")

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> [@DCnDC](#):
>
> “[Midvale School for the Gifted](http://s.mlkshk-cdn.com/r/54DT)”
> 
> Brilliant.

Yup, same here. Our kids are in the gifted program at their school, so whenever they (or we) do anything boneheaded, my husband and I say “gifted,” referring to this cartoon. 😃

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**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/256 "2016-11-08T04:00:33Z")

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This one from the far side always gets me:

[“Well, There it goes again… And here we sit without opposable thumbs.”](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LY-9PTRzghw/R7raEIbxBXI/AAAAAAAAB44/QRDErqjUrY4/s400/opposable_thumbs.gif)

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/257 "2016-11-08T04:18:36Z")

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[The bear’s little tongue when he’s drinking the water really makes this comic great.](http://i.imgur.com/e6PUDK3.gif)

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**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/258 "2016-11-08T14:49:57Z")

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> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> [This Far Side](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ed/f5/e1/edf5e128722640d8cadc6fdd2b2e3fd7.jpg), which is in keeping with the Halloween season.

While it is difficult to choose a single Far Side, this one has always been my favorite.

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**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/259 "2016-11-08T15:34:40Z")

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> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> [The bear’s little tongue when he’s drinking the water really makes this comic great.](http://i.imgur.com/e6PUDK3.gif)

I don’t get this.

Is this thread “my favorite Far Sides” or funniest cartoons ever? Those two things are light years apart. Sorry I don’t see Larson-love.

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**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-funniest-single-panel-cartoon-youve-ever-seen/768531/260 "2016-11-08T21:45:38Z")

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> [@drad\_dog](#):
>
> I don’t get this.
> 
> Is this thread “my favorite Far Sides” or funniest cartoons ever? Those two things are light years apart. Sorry I don’t see Larson-love.

The hunter ambushes a peaceful bear, but has the taxidermist set it up as if he had faced an angry, attacking bear.

For a lot of us, the Larson cartoons ARE the funniest cartoons ever. I love Chas Adams, and enjoy Booth and Gahan Wilson cartoons, and Bizarro by Piraro. But Larson makes me laugh the loudest more consistently than anyone else.

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