How do you approach the balance between humor and storytelling in your comic creations?

Balancing humor and storytelling is a bit like juggling. Sometimes, you need to let the humor take center stage, while other times, the story needs to be the focus. I usually go with my gut feeling. If something makes me laugh, I'll try to work it into the comic, but I always make sure it fits with the overall tone and direction of the story.

Balancing humor and storytelling in comic creations requires a thoughtful integration of both elements to engage the audience while advancing the plot. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Establish the Core Narrative

Define the Storyline: Outline the main plot and key moments where humor can naturally fit.

Prioritize Story Progression: Ensure that humor supports the narrative rather than distracting from it.

2. Align Humor with Tone

Match the Genre: Tailor humor to the comic's tone—slapstick for lighthearted stories, witty banter for mature themes.

Character-Driven Comedy: Base jokes on characters' personalities, quirks, and relationships for organic laughs.

3. Use Humor to Enhance, Not Overshadow

Pace the Jokes: Balance comedic moments with serious ones to avoid overwhelming the story.

Blend Humor with Plot Points: Use humor to reveal character traits, lighten tension, or drive the story forward.

4. Incorporate Visual Comedy

Expressions and Body Language: Exaggerated reactions or poses can add humor without dialogue.

Background Gags: Subtle jokes in the scenery can reward attentive readers without disrupting the flow.

5. Timing and Delivery

Panel Layout: Use pacing to your advantage—longer pauses or sudden cuts can amplify comedic impact.

Surprise Elements: Employ unexpected twists or punchlines to keep humor fresh and engaging.

6. Consider the Audience

Know Your Demographic: Adapt the humor to resonate with the target audience's preferences and cultural nuances.

Balance Universality and Specificity: Mix relatable jokes with niche references for layered comedy.

7. Maintain Emotional Depth

Blend Humor with Heart: Use comedy to highlight emotional moments, making them more impactful.

Conflict and Resolution: Let humor serve as a coping mechanism for characters, showing growth and resilience.

8. Test and Iterate

Feedback Loop: Share drafts with peers or readers to gauge if humor and storytelling feel cohesive.

Edit Ruthlessly: Remove jokes that don't land or derail the story, no matter how funny they are.

9. Experiment with Styles

Dialogue-Based: Use witty exchanges or wordplay for verbal humor.

Situational Comedy: Build jokes around absurd scenarios or ironic outcomes.

10. End on a Strong Note

Memorable Closures: Ensure each strip or chapter ends with a punchline or emotional payoff that keeps readers coming back.

The storytelling can contain humor, drama, etc... The question is wrong.
When you organize your storytelling you can explain things with humor. It's up to you to give it a good timing in between gags or jokes, while you explain the whole story.
You can use dialogue to make jokes or puns in every page/panel or you can mix it with physical comedy action. If it's action instead of words, you'll always need more panels to develop the scenes to setup the presentation, the development and the conclusion (where the gag ends and people laugh).