Twenty-five years after the original The Far Side concluded its syndicated newspaper run, Gary Larson made a quiet digital return in 2020, publishing new cartoons on his official website. Five years later, he delivered what many consider one of the greatest strips from his entire career—both hilarious and deeply moving.
January 1, 1995, marked the bittersweet end of The Far Side as fans knew it, with Larson’s final original strip appearing in newspapers nationwide. Yet in June 2020, the beloved comic made an unexpected comeback online, debuting three brand-new strips—the first new Far Side content in over two decades.
Rather than resuming a traditional publishing schedule, Larson introduced a new approach. In a message to fans, he explained that he would be sharing his work sporadically under a section titled “New Stuff,” continuing to create whenever inspiration struck. He described it as an experimental journey into digital art, prompted by a clogged pen that led him to explore new tools and techniques.
His most recent upload, published on October 15, 2025, showcases both his signature wit and evolving artistry. The strip features a group of chimpanzees enjoying themselves at a nightclub called “Club Gombe”—a nod to Gombe National Park in Tanzania, where famed primatologist Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking research in 1960. Notably, one table carries a reserved sign reading “Jane Goodall,” subtly weaving together humor and homage.
This latest piece echoes one of Larson’s most iconic strips from his original run, published on August 26, 1987. That classic gag showed a female chimpanzee discovering a blonde hair on her partner and quipping, “Well, well—another blonde hair. Conducting a little more ‘research’ with that Jane Goodall tramp?”
Though the Jane Goodall Institute expressed disapproval at the time, Goodall herself appreciated the humor and even signed a copy of the strip. Nearly four decades later, Larson’s new comic serves as a touching callback—not just to that earlier joke, but to Goodall herself, who passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025.
What begins as a typical Far Side scenario transforms into something far more meaningful when viewed through the lens of Larson’s long-standing relationship with the legendary scientist. Published just two weeks after her passing, the timing suggests a deliberate tribute—one that honors both her legacy and their shared place in pop culture history.