Devoid of context, today’s strip is aimless and boring. With context, though, it’s… ummmm… I don’t really know. What is the context of this strip anyways?
We have no idea how this exchange began, unless it began like this, which means “Batton Thomas” just started spouting off trivial comic book history once Bernie and Thatsnought where within earshot. Is this what TB does at book signings and conventions?
Son of Stuck Funky 
I have a feeling this is what Batiuk does in every social situation in which he finds himself.
“Actually, comic books were originally reprinted strips from the newspapers.”
“Um . . . so do you want a medium or large coke?”
“Actually, comic books were originally reprinted strips from the newspapers.”
“Uh, never mind, I’ll ask someone else how to get there.”
“Actually, comic books were originally reprinted strips from the newspapers.”
“This is a funeral, you ass.”
Looks like “Batton” has been printing his Three O’Clock High collections on the Westview High laser printer.
People who start sentences with the word “Actually” are, in general, pompous buttholes.
Actually, that’s a good point.
No, the first comic book was the Glasgow Looking Glass published in 1826.
https://stv.tv/news/west-central/230141-glasgow-looking-glass-first-ever-comic-debate-at-glasgow-university/
But then they decided that it was easier to come up with original stories and characters.
Also, Batiuk doesn’t realize it but he’s finally become That Guy: the old dude who stands around offering unsolicited comments about what life was like in the old days because he thinks that’s helpful instead of annoying. If they were to try to take a picture with their phones, he’d probably lecture them about Polaroid cameras.
Is it just me or does it seem like the artwork and the dialog doesn’t really match up all that well? BatNard finally works himself into the strip and THIS is the best he can do…yikes.
Batty is like Grampa Simpson, rambling on and on about the past, totally oblivious to the fact that nobody is interested.
So Batty would probably:
Gripe about the internet and how people don’t read newspapers. Gripe about Kindles and how people don’t go to libraries or bookshops. Gripe about streaming music and how people don’t use turntables. Gripe about social media and text messaging, instead of simply showing up at someone’s house unannounced . And on and on…
So, the fact that newspaper strips were gathered into comic books–that, to Thatsnaught, constitutes “wild imagination.”
I hope he never comes across anything written by H.G. Wells, say, as it will likely make his head explode.
Who are you calling an ‘Old Guy’ ? Given your rapidly greying hair you’ll be an ‘Old Guy’ before the end of the week.
“So, you see, comic strips are important because they were first. That means it’s important to be a newspaper cartoonist, right? Yeah, that’s it. Far more important that say, working at DC or Marvel or Image, Dark Horse, Archie, Boom, IDW or any of those other companies that weren’t interested in my ideas. [Glance at the next table] Atomik? Hey, I never pitched to you guys, did I? I’ve got a killer idea for a series called ‘Starstruck Smith.’ It’s about a guy who fights crime in space with his trusty sidekick Mars Meter Mook. I’ll write and draw it and your company can publish it and bask in my glory when I win an Eisner. Or maybe a Pulitzer. Maybe two Pulizers! Hey, where are you going? Free Comic Book Day isn’t over yet. You can’t just leave. Come back. Come back here and appreciate my greatness, damn you! Come baaaack!”