Re-Runs or Valid New Cartoons?

I want to explain myself. I've been feeling guilty. On my web comic Para Abnormal, besides not keeping a regular posting time, I often re-run old art with a new caption or gag. This sometimes includes minor additions/revisions to the original art.

Examples...


Although I do create original art most weeks, I do admit taking advantage of this cartooning cheat when my time is short. It's also very intentional. I want certain characters and situations to become familiar so I might expand on or play off in future Para Abnormal cartoons. Looking at the images above, I hope you notice that the similar cartoons usually separated by days or weeks apart once united in a row almost become a sequential gag.

I would love Para Abnormal to be a paying job one day and devote all my time to drawing completely original panels everyday. Until then, art will repeat once in awhile. I may be rationalizing, but I feel the written words do have thought behind them and makes the cartoon new.

I'm open to your opinion. Is this just re-running an old cartoon, no matter how different the joke or is it a valid new one? Be honest, I really want to know.