Their Only Child

This Sunday newspaper comic strip follows a single child through a day of escalating mischief and chaos. The narrative unfolds across twelve panels, each advancing the plot through speech balloons and sequential action. Parents respond to their offspring's antics—mud, toys, animals, and destruction accumulating as the strip progresses. The style exemplifies early newspaper comics: simple line work, exaggerated expressions, and heavy reliance on visual gags. By 1913, the Sunday funnies had become a standard feature in major papers, driving the visual language that would define comic books: bordered panels, expressive lettering, and recurring characters that entertained readers across demographics. This strip demonstrates the rapid iteration and humor-focused storytelling that made newspaper comics a dominant popular medium.