Movies News Talk
This conversation is interesting for whatever degree readers agree or disagree with Keefe's response since it reflects current conflicts over the use of provocative content in art and entertainment.
Periodically, newspapers all throughout the United States that carried The Far Side in their comics section complained about the strip's contents as long as it was being published. Among the pleasures of reading The Complete Far Side collection are the glimpses of letters opposing different drawings over the years. Early in Volume Two, dated 1987, one such well-known instance is found One horrified reader responded to their local newspaper:
Particularly in how Nancy Q. Keefe strove to provide background for The Far Side's artistic predecessors, her response to criticism of Gary Larson's work was noteworthy for its detail and eloquence. Keefe defended the cartoon's cultural worth by pointing out:
Doing so with deft humor – somewhat unlike that of The Far Side itself – this reaction reflects on the premise that many readers have difficulties detecting Satire – and that just as many are not ready to accept the usefulness of satire, even when they do perceive it.
Readers who "get" Gary Larson's comedy may understandably leap to his defense, but it's also worth recognizing the value some critics of his work might have had.
This is a relevant case even decades later; at least, it shows how someone may successfully bring up a complaint about a work of art or amusement they find objectionable.
As Nancy Q. Keefe noted, one very useful artistic tool is Satire. Said another way, satire is most acute when it is applied toward a more overall goal. Gary Larson's use of torture for the purpose of Humor worked in that it elicited either favorable or negative reaction from readers.
Even forty years later, this is another aspect in which Keefe's support of Larson and Larson's use of provocative material in his work throughout the history of The Far Side merit investigation. Particularly when addressing challenging topics, The Far Side presents a strong analysis of what qualifies as satire and how the method may be applied in several directions.
One especially divisive episode of The Far Side set off an emotional reaction from readers, which a newspaper editor responded to in turn with a defense of the comic currently in use in cultural debate. Examining it along with some other critical viewpoints on artist Gary Larson's work will help one better understand how contentious issues might be handled in entertainment.
From the beginning of the strip's tenure in publication, creator Gary Larson demonstrated more than ready to travel to dark places in order to provoke a reaction out of his readers. The Far Side frequently targeted taboos. This was absolutely essential for the comic's popularity, but it also drew a lot of unfavorable criticism.
The Far Side's humor often confused Gary Larson as his audience was; he once gave the ideal explanation of the comic strip.
Fans of the far side cannot miss this master set of Gary Larson's best creations.Originally printed in hardcopy in 2003, this paperback collection comes replete with a freshly designed slipcase that would look fantastic on any shelf. Every Far Side cartoon ever produced—more than 4,000, plus more than 1,100 never seen in a book and even those created after Larson retired—is contained in the Complete Far Side.