This is a collection of all the originally published newspaper comics, from the series 'The Far Side'. According to the 'Library of Congress Cataloging--in-Publication Data' on the books Copyright page it;
"Presents every Far side cartoon ever syndicated. More than 4000 cartoons, 1100 of which have never been published in a book, are included in this two-volume, slipcased treasure trove"--CIP text"

Each year has a introduction by Gary Larson, some of which tell the story of how he created the series and how it progressed from year to year. There are also a 'Foreword' by Steve Martin, and an Introduction, by is longtime editor Jake Morrissey, letters and commentary from fans and complaints that were received about the series. According to the top coverpaper on the slipcase, there are also included 19 "additional Far Side cartoons Larson created after his retirement."

The covers of each book, as well as the slip covers, and a painting titled "The Complete Far Side, Under Construction" page xxi of Volume One, are all painted by Jerry Tiritilli. (Source: Copyright page.)

The majority of the panels are in their original black and white format, with the occasional water colored or colored pencils cartoon, and the lesser common stained grey shadowed panels.

The 'Appendix' features 13 cartoons made for the book 'The Far Side: Last Chapter and Worse', and six more panels from 'The New York Times' "The Far Side of Science" column.

"Contains nearly every Far Side comic ever published (except for a few cartoons written for Christmas cards and also missing parody art pieces from Wiener Dog Art, some material from The Prehistory of The Far Side, and a panel run for a caption writing contest in the Telegram-Tribune newspaper." (Source: Wikipedia)

A Limited Leather Bound Edition was released as ISBN: 0740743619.