Splinters by Steinigans

Steinigans's *Splinters* exemplifies the visual storytelling innovations of early newspaper comics. The strip follows a clown character through a six-panel sequence employing sequential art's fundamental grammar: panel borders directing eye movement, action flowing left to right, and escalating physical comedy. The narrative arc—clown playing with a soldier's bottle, resulting explosions and collateral damage—relies entirely on visual gags and spatial relationships rather than dialogue. This economical approach to humor through drawn sequence became the template for comic strips that would eventually evolve into the comic book format, establishing how artists could convey timing, cause and effect, and comedic surprise through sequential images alone.