Gary Larson's Biggest Regret In The Far Side: Not Getting The 'Dogs Playing Poker' Artist Name Right!
The Far Side by Gary Larson is a beloved Comic Strip. What happens when an artist makes a small mistake? Well, sometimes, that little oversight might stick with them!
Why Did Gary Larson Feel So Bad About This Error?
This small but poignant error that bothered Larson occurred in a Far Side cartoon about Dogs Playing Poker, an iconic work of art that has stood the test of time. Larson had an idea to use Anthropomorphic Dogs for his cartoon, which turned out to be a clever choice given the long-lasting love of the "Dogs Playing Poker" image!
What Did Gary Larson Do In The Comic?
The mistake happened in his choice of the artist for Dogs Playing Poker. While it may have been a simple detail, getting the artist's name wrong bothered Larson. He gave the artist an alias name. But the original painter, Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, deserved the credit.
Who Was Cassius Marcellus Coolidge?
The painter, Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, who created this series known as "Dogs Playing Poker," was nearly forgotten before his work found a place in Pop Culture! While the most popular and iconic painting is often described as Dogs Playing Poker, the full title is A Friend In Need. While Gary Larson mislabeled this art work in his cartoon, it is still clear his admiration of the artist is genuine! It's more than just a casual reference, he was paying homage.
Was There Any Influence Between Coolidge and The Far Side?
When examining Gary Larson The Far Side it is fascinating how much Coolidge and The Far Side share. Both artists have made anthropomorphized animal characters! This theme appears in numerous Far Side Comics, making it a popular, memorable, and Far Side most beloved recurring element, and it is even referenced in The Complete Far Side Volume Two!
Can I Read More Of The Far Side?
Far Side Fans will always be enthralled! There are a huge number of Comics to explore, with Gary Larson having a Far Side Collection available in books and comics. Keep a lookout for The Complete Far Side Collection that has nearly every comic he created! You could also spend time delving into the Far Side themes and analyze these hilarious creations to get a better feel of Far Side Humor! There are even The Far Side Comic Books for your enjoyment!
What Did Gary Larson Learn From His Mistake?
It was more than just a simple misstep, he found a personal impact with this detail! Gary Larson Far Side Collection is known for it's Humor! Larson learned a huge lesson and noted that being meticulous about even the smallest detail could be important, even in humor. After all, he even found himself impacted by a missing word. It might sound odd, but those minute details are important for his art. It's a perfect example of why Far Side is so special and stands the test of time.
