Compiling a list of the top ten funniest comic strips of all time can be difficult. If you include web comics and indie comic strips on the roster of choices, then it's practically a dime a dozen. There are a lot to choose from! Sadly, not everything is funny. Well, I'm a big geek when it comes to comic strips. I actually live and breathe comics, so I like to assume that I'm a good judge of what's funny and what's not. Here's a list of of the top ten comic strips I really find funny:
10. Garfield by Jim Davis
Back when I was a kid, I will always check the newspaper for the new Garfield strip and ask myself: "Oh Garfield, what are you up to this time?" The antics of this gluttonous cat elicited a lot of hearty chuckles from me. It's true that Garfield's humor has hit highs as well as lows, but for me it's rarely corny. I'll always be a fan of Jim Davis and this classic comic strip.
9. Penny Arcade by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik
I discovered Penny Arcade when I was browsing the web for some cheat codes for a Playstation game. This web comic was highly recommended for video game fanatics, so I found myself clicking the link. What I discovered was a lot more than what I expected. What Mr. Holkins and Mr. Krahulik created here is not just a simple web comic about video games. It's actually a humorous and trendy introduction to geek culture.
8. Zits by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
Even if you're far from being a teenager, you will still find Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman's "Zits" funny. And no, I'm not talking about their acne. When I feel like reminiscing, this comic strip is such a joy to read. Join Jeremy, his old-fashioned and overbearing parents, his friends Hector and Pierce, and his girlfriend Sara as they embark on the wacky journey called adolescence.
7. Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis
A good indication that I find a comic strip funny is when I'm still laughing hours after I've read it. In this case, Stephan Pastis' "Pearls Before Swine" really deserves a spot on this list. You have to be really introduced to it so you can understand some of the more subtle humor though. Thankfully, there are already a lot of "Pearls Before Swine" compilation books for sale in bookstores.
6. Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
Just like in the case of Garfield, I've read Peanuts since I was a kid. I practically grew up with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and the rest of the gang. It's consistent when it comes to delivering laughter and its own brand of "Peanuts philosophy".
5. Questionable Content by J. Jacques
If Zits reminded me of my teenage years, Questionable Content took me straight back to my university days. The plot lines of this web comic centers around college life, pop culture, and the remnants of teenage angst. Although the humor shifts from snappy to sublime, it never fails to make me laugh. Oh, and I hope someday I get to build my own version of "Pintsize".
4. Dilbert by Scott Adams
I have to admit, I never really appreciated Dilbert the first time I read it. I was 9 years old, can you blame me? A few years later, I finally understood the concept behind Scott Adams' work. It's certainly not catered for everyone's taste. It doesn't rely on sight gags like other comic strips. Personally, I find Dilbert's deadpan humor brilliant.
3. xkcd by Randall Munroe
I just recently discovered XKCD and sure enough, it quickly became my favorite web comic of all time. Do you want your dose of geek humor without waiting for the next Big Bang Theory episode to air? Then this web comic is for you.
2. The Far Side by Gary Larson
This is by far, the most unique comic strip I've ever laid my eyes on. Gary Larson found humor in the most mundane objects and surprisingly, he never alienated his readers. I always look forward to the next animal, object, person, or concept, Mr. Larson will poke fun of. He never bores me and I guess that's the reason why he's so high up on my list.
1.Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
I've always wished for a little brother just like Calvin. He's just too awesome for words. Although this comic strip seems to be shallow at first glance, it's actually more than what it appears to be. After reading a few of these amazing strips, you'll realize that Bill Watterson is actually a genius. "Calvin and Hobbes" taught me a lot of life lessons that I will never learn anywhere else.
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