I reckon Jules Rivera makes Rusty’s question (panel 4) something of a jibe at the veracity of journalism. Failing to ask what she meant, Rusty seems to think a truth is just a truth, comparatives be damned. It has to be absolute! Hence, his confusion about Dad and his work.

Rivera portrays Rusty as standing apart from the rest of the class, as if they have chosen sides against him. Yes, Miss Mavis correctly identified the impact of invasive shrimp and how it can be mitigated, whereas all Rusty sees is the danger from misuse, abuse, or accident.  Meanwhile, Robbie (who in panel 1 looks like somebody from another planet in his purple and green space suit, while sporting three cranial antennae) has found an ally in Miss Mavis. Rusty’s situation may mirror that similar sense of rejection and betrayal that occurred when he took a bird photo that Robbie offered up to his own dad—the scout master—as his own work, and Rusty’s scouting friends stood with Robbie.

Is Rivera trying to make Rusty a Junior Mark Trail? I do hope this rivalry with Robbie is not repeated too often. Maybe Rusty needs to branch out, learn to talk to girls, get a hobby, and make new friends. Let him do the investigating and exploring. Otherwise, what’s the point here? Why bother with having “Rusty” stories that immediately get taken over by Mark, leaving Rusty with nothing to do but complain? Hasn’t Jules Rivera ever heard of the Hardy Boys? Nancy Drew? Percy Jackson?