2012-09-11
Explanation
This comic starts with an innocent question from a child: "Daddy, why are they called clownfish? Are they like clowns?" The father, visibly excited, launches into a detailed biology lesson about how clownfish are sequentially hermaphroditic. He explains that there is always a lead female who is the only one who can breed, but when she dies, the most dominant male converts to being female and takes over. Then the most powerful remaining male grows in size and becomes the new female'''s mate. The child asks "So... the answer is YES?" but the father, caught up in his enthusiasm, ignores the actual question.
The father continues: "Yes, indeed, clownfish are amazing! In fact..." Then the scene cuts to "Later..." where the child is face to face with an actual human clown in full costume and makeup. The child asks "Are you one of the breeding clowns?" and the clown, named Bosco, angrily responds "Whoa whoa -- Bosco ain'''t takin''' no more paternity tests!"
The humor comes from the father'''s failure to actually answer the child'''s simple question. The kid asked whether clownfish are like clowns, and the dad went off on a tangent about hermaphroditic biology without ever addressing the original question. The child, having absorbed the biology lesson but still confused about the clown connection, naturally applies the reproduction facts to an actual clown. Bosco'''s defensive reaction about paternity tests adds another layer of absurdity. The votey panel shows Bosco saying "Bosco ain'''t afraid o''' the law no more!" -- suggesting the clown has a troubled past that extends well beyond paternity disputes.