It is particularly interesting to chart the evolution of Larsons ice cream truck gag over the years.

Two things contribute to making this a “successful"Far Sidejoke.

Scientists from The Far Side.

Gary Larson (foreground, b/w) with a Far Side comic in the background featuring a green monster in a purple room.

Far Side grinning man (foreground, left) and miners digging underground (right, background.)

Far Side grinning man (foreground, right) and a Liver & Onions truck (background, right.)

Far Side, October 14, 1981, an ice cream man radios for help as he melts in the driver’s seat of his truck

Far Side, scientists running outside to catch ice cream truck

Far Side, ice cream man is out of everything, to dismay of customer wandering desert

Far Side, July 15, 1983, kids looking side-eyed at the ‘liver and onions’ truck

The Far Side Complete Collection Book Set

Far Side, October 17, 1987, the ‘vaccination man’ drives around the suburbs hoping people will mistake him for an ice cream truck

Far Side, asparagus truck, captioned ‘failed marketing ploys’

The Far Side Comic Poster

Comics

The Far Side