I got curious about the first comic book, and it just happens to be The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck, originally published in 1828. It's pretty humorous, kind of strange, and definitely has early silent film slapstick vibes.
https://www.dartmouth.edu/library/digit ... ir=classic
Comic Books
Comic Books
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
Re: Comic Books
That's interesting! And has a distinctive kind of odd humor (I'm trying to think of a word for it, but can't.) Yes, definitely slapstick-ish.