9 Near-Perfect 'Far Side' Comics Starring the Nerdy Kid

The Far Side, created by Gary Larson, is a comic strip known for its non-recurring characters and single-panel jokes. One of the most consistent characters in the strip is the Nerdy Kid, a heavy child with short red hair, glasses, and a super-punchable face. He is often portrayed as a victim in the comics, which Larson seems to enjoy doing. The Nerdy Kid first appeared in the strip in 1985 and remained a recurring character until the end of Larson's 15-year run on The Far Side in 1989.

Over the course of the strip's run, the Nerdy Kid appeared in numerous comics, each showcasing a different aspect of his "nerdiness." Some of these comics depict him as the perfect victim, such as when he is bitten by two animal cookies or suffers from a phobia called "Luposlipaphobia," which is defined as the fear of being pursued by timber wolves around a kitchen table while wearing socks on a newly waxed floor.

In another comic, the Nerdy Kid uses a "Monster Snorkel" to sleep at night, which allows him to breathe comfortably without exposing vulnerable parts to an attack.

The Nerdy Kid is not a single character but rather a common way Larson drew kids. This is evident in the fact that there are essentially two Nerdy Kids in the strip, as each one is drawn with slightly different features. For example, one comic shows the Nerdy Kid pushing a door that he is supposed to pull, while in another, he is portrayed as a funny observer, such as when he is caught with bugs in a jar in his room, and other bugs protest outside his window with signs demanding the release of the mayonnaise jar's contents.

In addition to being a victim or observer, the Nerdy Kid is also sometimes portrayed as a little weirdo or even a troublemaker. In one comic, he is shown branding ants in an ant farm, which is a rare instance where he is not the victim. In another comic, the Nerdy Kid has built a giant killer robot to attack his metal shop teacher, who has been unkind to him in the past. This comic, which appeared in 1988, demonstrates the Nerdy Kid's ability to turn the tables and even have the upper hand in a situation.