Observe the first panel of this cartoon from 1991. The first line of dialog is too long for the space, a problem inelegantly solved by extending the final word through a hole in the panel rule. Panel rule: that’s a technical term for the lines that hold the cartoon in place. This was pre-digital work. Today, it would’ve been a simple fix with Photoshop. The only solution at that time would have been to cover the line with white ink or with white tape and reletter the words. I’m sure I didn’t do this, because I was in a hurry. Some things haven’t changed.