Andrews McMeel Publishing’s The Far Side Gallery 2 is a cartoon collection book that delivers exactly what fans of Gary Larson’s work expect. I picked up this book recently at $14.99 and spent the last few weeks working through it during downtime. After spending twenty-two years in the Marine Corps and now running my own business here in Houston, I don’t have much patience for products that don’t deliver solid value. The Far Side Gallery 2 does. It’s straightforward, funny, and worth the investment for anyone who appreciates intelligent humor that doesn’t rely on cheap tricks or outdated references.
Why the The Far Side® Gallery 2 Stands Out
The Far Side Gallery 2 contains some of Larson’s best work from the 1980s and 1990s. What makes this collection work so well is the range of subject matter. Larson moves from absurdist science humor to social commentary to animal-based gags without missing a beat. After reading through it, I’ve added it to my recommended products list because it’s the kind of book that genuinely rewards repeated reading. The first time you flip through The Far Side Gallery 2, you catch the obvious punchlines. The second time, you pick up the layered jokes and deeper commentary that elevate Larson’s work above standard newspaper comic fare.
The book’s physical quality is solid. The pages hold up to handling, the binding is tight, and the illustrations are clear and well-printed by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The cartoon reproductions maintain the original artwork’s impact without degradation. For $14.99, this represents fair value considering the production quality and the amount of content included. There’s no padding here, no fluff separating sketches or extended commentary that nobody asked for. Just cartoon after cartoon after cartoon.
One thing I appreciated as someone running a business is how The Far Side Gallery 2 demonstrates the value of consistent creative quality. Larson built his reputation on delivering sharp, original material day after day for over a decade. That kind of discipline and output translates regardless of medium. Opening this book randomly and reading three or four strips gives you the same quality experience every single time. That’s rare. That’s worth noting. Most collections feel uneven by comparison.
Would I Buy the The Far Side® Gallery 2 Again
Yes. I’d buy The Far Side Gallery 2 again without hesitation. I’ve already recommended it to two people since purchasing it. One person I know collects comic books and graphic novels. Another person works in healthcare and needed something to decompress with that didn’t require heavy thinking. Both situations called for this book. The Far Side Gallery 2 works as a gift, works as a personal purchase for longtime fans, and works as an entry point for people who haven’t experienced Larson’s style before.
If you appreciate sharp writing, original visual humor, and cartoons that respect your intelligence, this book delivers. The Far Side Gallery 2 sits on my shelf in a place I can actually reach it and pull it down, which I do when I need a mental break. That’s the highest compliment I can give a book like this. It’s not decoration. It gets used. It provides value beyond the initial purchase. That’s what separates good products from waste.
Grab The Far Side Gallery 2 if you want reliable, intelligent humor that holds up across multiple readings.