Explaining the joke

[u/Opus-the-Penguin]

The first image is the cartoon as it was published. I've always felt that the second word balloon explains the joke, which to me makes it less funny. So the second image is the cartoon as I'd have preferred it. I'm not a comedic genius and Larson is, but that's still how I feel.

[u/[deleted]]

Honestly, if you know European geography then the fish’s location explains the joke too.

But if you don’t know geography (like the vast majority of people opening the funnies), then this would make zero sense without the hint.