When I was growing up in Oklahoma, April Fool’s was basically about lying, i.t. getting someone to believe something that wasn’t true, like in this strip. But here in Iceland, it’s different. April Fool’s is about tricking people into doing something, i.e. practical jokes. For example, there is a “news” item in one of today’s papers that claims that one store in the capital area is selling chocolate Easter eggs filled with fresh vegetables rather than candy. Included in the eggs are broccoli, bell pepper slices, kohlrabi pieces and baby carrots, among other things. They say there is a limited number of these eggs, so I expect a lot of people will be waiting when the store opens in about an hour.
And now you have learned the hard, bitter truth that I learned writing comic books: you’re never fully in charge (and with internal lobbying by the characters, you can be replaced).
Deal with it, Cartoon-Boy! The reality is, your characters are smarter than you, more popular than you, and wittier…well, no, you do put words in their mouths
The Far Side got me through the stress of middle management in the ’80s. First procedure when arriving in my office mornings was to flip the FS calendar. Second was Nectar of the gods, coffee.
My family got me a Far Side day-to-day calendar. They said that I would enjoy the humor of it. Now, after three months, I see why people like it so much. It’s amazing.
It must be rough having characters fooling around inside your head like that. My sympathies, Mr. Pastis. No, not really. Yes, I really mean it. Oh, come on… Shut up!, No, YOU shut up! Let me… no… arrghghaaf ahffoa;fha [due to technical difficulties, this comment will be discontinued]
BE THIS GUY almost 2 years ago
Too bad. I was hoping for Larson-Pastis collaboration. Stephan can use all the help he can get.
BasilBruce almost 2 years ago
Who is April, and why does she want to fool people?
ronaldspence almost 2 years ago
Poisson D’Avril! way to be humbly Pastis and pay tribute to a legend! Well done!
sirbadger almost 2 years ago
Maybe I’ll start a new scam today. If I get arrested, I’ll tell the police that my scam was an April Fools joke.
Alexander the Good Enough almost 2 years ago
Well, let’s just go over to www.thefarside.com and see… Hmmm… I’m not sure…
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The Far Side is timeless, and you can catch reruns of 3-4 of them every day at thefarside.com.
Sanspareil almost 2 years ago
Pastis’s self humility on this one is brilliant!
Robin Harwood almost 2 years ago
“April fool” , not “April fool’s”. It’s short for “You are an April fool.” Arlo and Janis gets it right.
DennisinSeattle almost 2 years ago
Appreciate the nod to Larson.
jmolay161 almost 2 years ago
I get dozens of Far Side cartoons on FB every day—-loaded with chickens, cows, gun toting dogs, cavemen, aliens, giant bugs, and insufferable nerds.
jmolay161 almost 2 years ago
Pearls is good. No, I didn’t say April Fools. The Zeeba and Crocs part is closer to Far Side.
jmolay161 almost 2 years ago
Rat would make a good Far Side villain, and Pig would be a good nerdy victim.
Purple People Eater almost 2 years ago
When I was growing up in Oklahoma, April Fool’s was basically about lying, i.t. getting someone to believe something that wasn’t true, like in this strip. But here in Iceland, it’s different. April Fool’s is about tricking people into doing something, i.e. practical jokes. For example, there is a “news” item in one of today’s papers that claims that one store in the capital area is selling chocolate Easter eggs filled with fresh vegetables rather than candy. Included in the eggs are broccoli, bell pepper slices, kohlrabi pieces and baby carrots, among other things. They say there is a limited number of these eggs, so I expect a lot of people will be waiting when the store opens in about an hour.
iggyman almost 2 years ago
No Fool like an April Fool!
Katje almost 2 years ago
Finally, this comic now has a funny element. :)
James Wolfenstein almost 2 years ago
Stephan is the best comic artist ever!!!
Count Olaf Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The Count is visualizing Pig pushing on a door that says “Pull” at The School for the Gifted.
Stephen Runnels almost 2 years ago
Pastis is bringing back the Crocs on a regular basis!!
April Fools.
lakita_lover almost 2 years ago
Personally, I like Pearls better than I ever liked Far Side.
Ellis97 almost 2 years ago
That sneaky little rat.
Zebrastripes almost 2 years ago
PBS is the greatest! KEEP it going! ❤️☺️
grocks almost 2 years ago
Brilliant!
Skippy the Magnificent almost 2 years ago
“The Far Side” is in a league of its own.
figuratively speaking almost 2 years ago
Poor, Stephan. His own characters disrespecting him like that.
Is like a melody Premium Member almost 2 years ago
That was funny!
RussHeim almost 2 years ago
Well, today’s strip came close, Stephan!
syzygy47 almost 2 years ago
Stephan Pastis won a medal for his comic strip.p
It’s gold.
Oh wait…tinfoil….(the chocolate’s not too bad)…
April Fools!
milokraegel Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I still have my Far Side calendar, and the complete Far Side. Those were rly good.
Wichita1.0 almost 2 years ago
And now you have learned the hard, bitter truth that I learned writing comic books: you’re never fully in charge (and with internal lobbying by the characters, you can be replaced).
Radish... almost 2 years ago
April Fish!
Sisyphos almost 2 years ago
Deal with it, Cartoon-Boy! The reality is, your characters are smarter than you, more popular than you, and wittier…well, no, you do put words in their mouths
Ha! April Fool’s, Stephan. We love you….
hooglah almost 2 years ago
Close, but no cigar. I would say The Far Side, Tumbleweeds, and then Pearls. All are very close together with just a hair separation.
rossevrymn almost 2 years ago
cute
jimboklein almost 2 years ago
In the strip “For Better or For Worse” the youngest daughter, April, was born on April 1 and was named such due to that reason.
LaughterIsJoyMuliplied almost 2 years ago
One of your best ever Steph.
KEA almost 2 years ago
it’s “April Fool” not “April Fool’s”
zeexenon almost 2 years ago
The Far Side got me through the stress of middle management in the ’80s. First procedure when arriving in my office mornings was to flip the FS calendar. Second was Nectar of the gods, coffee.
Goat from PBS almost 2 years ago
My family got me a Far Side day-to-day calendar. They said that I would enjoy the humor of it. Now, after three months, I see why people like it so much. It’s amazing.
TomO' almost 2 years ago
Great job, Stephan! Rat was right in the 2nd panel.
russef almost 2 years ago
Don’t worry Stephan. Your strip is as Huge, make that HUGER, than far side……..bwaaaa ha ha ha haha ha ha hahahaaaahhhhhaaasa. I
dipierro Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Why the apostrophe in April Fools?
Otis Rufus Driftwood almost 2 years ago
Rat’s sickest burn yet.
Ammosexual is loving #47 in Office again. Premium Member almost 2 years ago
From “Bummer of a Birthmark” to “Midvale School for the Gifted” Larson always delivered.
Ukko wilko almost 2 years ago
The Far Side is still available daily.
Ron Bauerle almost 2 years ago
I thought one of the criticisms of FS was that people didn’t get it (thus it wasn’t funny to them), so maybe PBS is better off in comparison?
I'm Sad almost 2 years ago
This comic is the best!
DaBump Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I come from a region so backwards, we celebrate loof lirpa!
DaBump Premium Member almost 2 years ago
It must be rough having characters fooling around inside your head like that. My sympathies, Mr. Pastis. No, not really. Yes, I really mean it. Oh, come on… Shut up!, No, YOU shut up! Let me… no… arrghghaaf ahffoa;fha [due to technical difficulties, this comment will be discontinued]
Swirls Before Pine almost 2 years ago
In much the same way that March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb, April comes in like a Fool and goes out like a much poorer Fool.