I'm sorry, but I'm a Ding Fries Are Done purist.

 

Never heard of Ding fries...

 

 

 

A single image (frame) cartoon with a one line caption that forever stays imprinted in ones mind reflects the work of a genius and master of the understatement. For example, Charles Schultz with "Peanuts", or IMO, the artist who retired much too soon leaving a vacuum that likely will never be filled by another, Gary Larson and his "The Far Side".

For example...

 

You think Gary heard?

 

 

I actually like the song but I think Gary wouldn't give a flying f--k about it.

 

So, here's a glimpse into my twisted psyche. My favorite Gary Larson / The Far Side cartoon wasn't actually penned by Gary Larson. It comes from a parody of his work and, though I don't recall exactly where I found it, I'm guessing the source was National Lampoon. It was an examination of the author's decent into darkness after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. His work went from The Far Side to The Dying Side and then, his final cartoon was simply a solid black field entitled The Dead Side as I recall. My favorite panel, found in this charming expose, featured a cancer cell that looked like a travelling salesman dressed in a suit & tie with brimmed hat pushed back on its brow, one arm resting on the steering wheel while leaning out of the window of his Oldsmobuick, interacting with another cell dressed as a farmer in coveralls, holding a pitchfork while scratching its chin. The caption read, "Spleen? Nah, can't get there from here."

 

Except Gary is alive and well in Tacoma. WA and retired only because he had done all he wanted and was happy to live off his royalties and not have people like me post his work on the internet...

 

Parody.

 

National Lampoon.