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One-Shot Wonders

Issues 1 - 8

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Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 Version 1 Ralph Wiggum Comics #1  
  (One-Shot Wonders #1)   (Feb 2012)

In the first of Bongo Comics' soon to be legendary Simpson Comics One-Shot Wonders, Ralph Wiggum takes center stage. In his first solo outing, Ralph has a day off of school, is left home alone, and becomes a role model to a new kid in town. Add in some short features by Sergio Aragonés and watch the chaos ensue!
Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 Version 4 Closeup


This issue had five different covers, varying the "cover quip" by Ralph.
See below!


The Man of the House
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Script:  Mary Trainor
Pencils & Inks:  Mike Kazaleh
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:  Bill Morrison

Ralph's Room by Aragonés  [Feeding Time]
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Story & Art:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Editor:  Bill Morrison

Ralph Wiggum's Day Off
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Story & Art:  Carol Lay
Colors:  Art Villanueva
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:  Bill Morrison

Where's Ralph?
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Art:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Edits:  Bill Morrison

Ralph's Room by Aragonés  [Best Costume]
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Story & Art:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Editor:  Bill Morrison

Ralph The Role Model
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Script:  Jesse McCann
Pencils:  James Lloyd
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Art Villanueva
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:  Bill Morrison
   
Cover Illustration:   Jason Ho, Mike Rote
Cover Text:   Five different word balloons; see below!
Departments:   The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail
Extras:   Bongo Bonus Stamp: #139 Wiggle Puppy

Bongo Beat written by "intern" Louis Lane titled The Third Person discusses the use of the third person when referring to one's self, with Groundskeeper Willie and Disco Stu ("Disco Stu should have disco ducked") as significant examples.

Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 close-up cover variation  #1 Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 close-up cover variation  #2 Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 close-up cover variation  #3 Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 close-up cover variation  #4 Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 close-up cover variation  #5
I'M A COMIC BOOK!
I'M IN MINT CONDITIONER!
IT'S MY FIRST TISSUE!
DADDY SAYS "PRINT IS DEAD!"
"RALPH" MEANS THROW UP!
 (Mar 2012)
The first issue of One-Shot Wonders, Ralph Wiggum Comics #1, had five different covers varying the "word bubble" as noted above (or "cover quip" as Bongo described it). To add to the difficulty of acquiring the five variations each seller only received a single variation and three of the variations were only available in comic book stores (Direct Market) (via Diamond distributors) and two were only available from book stores, newsstands and other outlets (through traditional channels). Bongo Comics also ran a contest at this point indicating "The first person to submit a photo (or photos) of themself [sic] holding all five Ralph Wiggum Comics #1 covers, will be "Simpsonized" by our infamous Bongo bullpen and immortalized in an upcoming issue of Simpsons or Bart Simpson comics. Your choice!"

At tne end of March 2012 Bongo announced the winner was Sam Young - and we'll extend his five minutes of fame here! A Sam Young from Little Falls, MN previously had three letters published in Junk Mail in Simpsons Comics starting in 1996. A "Simpsonized" Sam Young appeared in Simpsons Comics #197 in December 2012.  Congrats!


Milhouse #1

Milhouse #1 back cover
Milhouse #1
  (One-Shot Wonders #2)  (Apr 2012)
   Bart Simpson's Pal

Bart Simpson's pal Milhouse takes center stage in the next of our series of Simpsons Comics One-Shots. Take a look at the world of Springfield through the eyes of Bart's bespectacled best friend, second banana, and juvenile delinquent wannabe, and the fantastical things you see through his thick lenses might surprise you.

The Imaginarium of
  Milhouse Van Houten
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Script:  Pat McGreal
Pencils:  John Delaney
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Bill Morrison

Milhouse's Best Day
MMMMMMMMPages:  3
Script:  Sherri L. Smith
Pencils & Inks:  Mike Kazaleh
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
Milhouse #1 Sticker

Milhouse Van Houten is Octo-Weenie
MMMMMMMMPages:  12
Screenplay by:  Gail Simone
Graphite      
Cinematogrphy by:  James Lloyd
Inkography by:  Dan Davis
Color Processing by:  Art Villanueva
Title Lettering by:  Karen Bates
Executive Producer:   Nathan Kane
Monkey      
Wrangling by:   Mr. Teeny
  Filmed In Dramatic Nerdascope
  A Bongo Comics Production

Credits for above supplied in "Movie Poster" format

Thrill House  (sticker)
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Art by:  Nathan Kane

Sticker shown above to the right is a full page centerfold insert in the middle of the Octo-Weenie story.

Manners With Milhouse  Telephone Etiquette
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Script:  Sherri L. Smith
Pencils:  Nina Matsumoto
Inks:  Mike DeCarlo
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Bill Morrison

Milhouse in  Feets of Fury
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Story & Art:  Dean Rankine
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
   
Cover Illustration:   Jason Ho, Mike Rote, and Nathan Kane
Back Cover:   Jason Ho and Serban Cristescu
Cover Text:   Freaky, Sticky Surprise Inside!
Released:   May 2, 2012
Departments:   The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail
  Bongo Bonus Stamp: #219 Biclops
  Milhouse Fan Club membership card

Bongo Beat written by "intern" Louis Lane titled Underdogs Unite! discusses how Milhouse's tenacity can serve as an example to all of us.

Thrill House full page sticker by Nathan Kane supplied as a centerfold insert, mimicking the crazy car stickers of the 1970's, albeit with Milhouse on a bike.


Milhouse #1 North by Northwest

Cover Annotations for Milhouse #1

The cover of Milhouse #1 illustrates four Milhouse fantasy worlds. Beginning in the Northwest corner of the comic and proceeding clockwise we have Milhouse imagining himself as Cary Grant, replete with white shirt and swinging tie, in one of the most famous movie scenes from all time, the crop duster chase sequence from the Alfred Hitchcock movie North by Northwest.
Milhouse #1 North by Northwest
Milhouse #1 Milhouse the Barbarian
Next we have Milhouse the Barbarian, tooth necklace around his neck, weapon in hand and girl at his feet, standing on a bed of skulls, imitating the Conan the Barbarian movie starring
Ranier Wolfcastle
Arnold Schwartzeneggar.
Conan the Barbarian Conan the Barbarian
The wonderful back cover of this issue, of course, better illustrates this scene.

Milhouse #1 Giant Robo My favorite reference though shows Milhouse controlling a Giant Milhouse robot, giant red M on its chest and shooting lasers from its fingers. This is a nod to the little boy Daisaku Kusama controlling the Jaianto Robo
(Giant Robot)
in the Japanese manga and Tokusatsu series, the latter of which was dubbed into English and shown here on the right as Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot. The original has a giant red V on his chest (that's actually a weapon) and shoots rockets from its fingers. This series was created by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, known better for his "Tetsujin 20-go" series, i.e., "Gigantor" in the United States. This panel is thanks no
Milhouse #1 Giant Robo
doubt to fellow Jaianto Robo fan Jason Ho!

Milhouse #1 Hign Noon

On the bottom left of the cover we have Milhouse in a white ten gallon hat, white shirt, string tie and a vest, facing off in a duel with the "bad guy". This could mirror two dozen similiar scenes in movies, but we'll give the nod here to Gary Cooper in High Noon, shown on the right. We welcome a better suggestion, particularly given Gary Cooper's black hat on the right, combined with the long shadows on the left betraying an early morning or early evening showdown. We'll also note here the similarities between this image on the left and the flip cover of Simpsons Comics #11. High Noon


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Li'l Homer #1 Li'l Homer #1
  (One-Shot Wonders #3)  (Aug 2012)

Long before Bart Simpson appeared on the scene, Springfield had its own original "bad boy"... the dim but adorable Li'l Homer. And you can be sure wherever Li'l Homer goes, trouble follows.

Whether he's just trying to fly a kite, searching for a lost donut, or matching wits with a real mean genie, Li'l Homer always comes out on top!

Li'l Homer in Mean Genie
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Story & Art:  Carol Lay
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

The Brothers Grime The Boy Who Would Not Take A Bath
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Story:  Mary Trainor
Art:  Mike Kazaleh
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
Reprinted in:  Free Comic Book Day 2013  

It's A Li'l Homer Dance Party!
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Credits:  A Kane / Ho / Rote / Bates Production

Li'l Homer in Fish Story
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Script:  Tony Digerolamo
Pencils:  James Lloyd
Inks:  Dan Davis
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Bill Morrison

Li'l Homer in Late for School
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Script:  Tony Digerolamo
Pencils:  James Lloyd
Inks:  Dan Davis
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Li'l Homer in Springfield's Next Top Model Kit!
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Story & Art:  Scott Shaw!
Colors:  Art Villanueva
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Angry Kid in Stupid Kite by Bart Simpson
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Script:  Tony Digerolamo
Pencils:  Mike Rote
Inks:  Jason Ho
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Bill Morrison
   
Cover Illustration:   Jason Ho, Mike Rote, and Nathan Kane
Cover Text:   Plus! Time-Wasting Bonus Included Free!
Released:   Aug 29, 2012
Departments:   The Bongo Beat,
  Bongo Bonus Stamp: #188 Homer Glumpet

"Li'l Homey" also appeared on the flip cover of Simpsons Comics #24.


Maggie #1 Maggie #1
  (One-Shot Wonders #4)   (Oct 2012)
   The Sweetest Simpson Goes Solo!

Our Simpsons One-Shot Wonders continue with a special issue, featuring everyone's favorite boss shooting, bear pacifying, mallet wielding, preschool rebellion leading, nail gun riveting, unibrow hating, infant language translating, Bobo cuddling baby, also known as the Gem Child, God's chosen instrument of peace and goodwill to Springfield. Prepare yourself for the exciting and heartwarming adventures of the littlest and savviest Simpson of them all: Maggie Simpson! Featuring a variant wraparound cover by Sergio Aragonés and a little something extra!

Madison Avenue Maggie
MMMMMMMMPages:  6
Story & Art:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Scent of a Baby
MMMMMMMMPages:  6
Story & Art:  Carol Lay
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

She's A (Paper) Doll!
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Art by:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill

Maggie's Crib by Aragonés
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Story & Art:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Editor:  Nathan Kane

Pacifier Pandemonium!  (game page)
MMMMMMMMPages:  1
Puzzle Maestro:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:  Nathan Kane

Goodnight Buffoon by Matthew Wise Groening
MMMMMMMMPages:  6
Script:  Patric M. Verrone & Max Davison
Art:  Mike Kazaleh
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Maggie's Crib by Aragonés
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Story & Art:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Editor:  Nathan Kane

Maggie's Mixed-Up Maze  (game page)
MMMMMMMMPages:  1  (back cover)
Puzzle Maestro:  Sergio Aragonés
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:  Nathan Kane
Reprinted in:  Free Comic Book Day 2013  
   
Cover Illustration:   Jason Ho, Mike Rote, and Nathan Kane
Cover Text:   Fun For All Ages! Free Surprise Inside!
Released:   Oct 24, 2012
Departments:   The Bongo Beat,
  Bongo Bonus Stamp: #167 Bobo
Extras:   Maggie Paper Doll

She's a Paper Doll is a two page cardboard centerfold (four page if you count the blank back) with Maggie and two dozen cut-outs for costumes (Diver, Wonder Maggie, Trick or Treat, Carmen Maggie, Sheriff, Devil and Angel, Troubadour, Revolutionary, Mageena, Viking, Kang's Daughter, Winter Wear and Astronaut).

Children's blocks wouldn't have two adjacent letter "G"'s as appears on this cover. I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort of a magic block or something?  Boy, I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder.


Maggie #1 Variant Cover Maggie #1   (Oct 2012)  (Variant Cover)
   The Sweetest Simpson Goes Solo!

Variant Cover by Sergio Aragonés.

This cover is a wonderful wrap-around cover as shown below.

Content identical except for the wrap-around cover; therefore this variant does not include the Maggie's Mixed-Up Maze on the back of the non-variant issue.


Maggie #1 Wrap-around Variant Cover


Professor Frink Fantastic Science Fictions #1 Professor Frink
  Fantastic Science Fictions #1

  (One-Shot Wonders #5)   (Feb 2013)

Hold on to your ->Glavin!<- Springfield's mad scientist, Professor John Frink, debuts in his own Simpsons One-Shot Wonder with a special blend of chemistry and comedy. First, Professor Frink creates a "Cool Formula" that gets accidentally dumped into the Springfield reservoir, turning every resident of Springfield into a swingin' '60s Vegas-style hipster. Then, Frink's study of the beloved three-eyed fish, Blinky, results in a plague of biblical proportions. Soon voracious three-eyed mutant fish beasts overrun the entire town of Springfield!

Professor Frink Fantastic Science Fictions #1 Back Cover
Frink Sinatra!
MMMMMMMMPages:  11
Script:  Ian Boothby
Pencils:  Hilary Barta
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Art Villanueva
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Hook, Line & Frinker
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Story:  Chris Yambar
Pencils:  James Lloyd
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Professor Frink Fantastic Science Fictions #1 Frink-O-Matic Goggles
Synchronicity For Two
MMMMMMMMPages:  9
Story:  Nathan Lane
Pencils:  John Delaney
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
   
Front Cover:   Jason Ho, Mike Rote, and Nathan Kane
Back Cover:   Chris Houghton
Front Cover Text:   We're Blinding You With Science!  Details inside
Released:   Feb 27, 2012
Departments:   Bongo Bonus Stamp: #195 Robot Itchy
Extras:   Frink-O-Matic Goggles (for viewing 3-D back cover)

Within the centerfold we find Frink-O-Matic Goggles, i.e. red/blue 3D glasses to be used to view the 3D Professor Frink back cover, both of which are shown above on the right. Readers were invited to send in a photo of themselves wearing the goggles for future publication. That future publication would then occur in May 2013 with Simpsons Comics #202 where we see a page titled Frinkin' Awesome with twenty-eight user submitted photographs.

This entire issue together with the next One Shot Wonder  The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1  was included in the Limited Edition issue  The Malevolent Mr. Burns & Professor Frink


The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1 The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1  (Jun 2013)
  (One-Shot Wonders #6)

Because he demanded it, Bongo Comics offers up a Simpsons One-Shot Wonder for the aged -- er, we mean -- the ages. A senior citizen centenarian spectacular. Mr. Burns, the megalomaniacal scourge of Springfield, grants you permission to enter the billionaire boy's club with a miserly masterpiece of penny-pinching proportions. It's the humor comic of the year for the young at heartless.

Little Monty Million$
Adventure On Bigfoot Mountain!
MMMMMMMMPages:  11
Script:  Gail Simone
Pencils & Inks:  Mike Kazaleh
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1 Fruit Bat Man Mask
Release The Hounds!
MMMMMMMMPages:  4
Script:  Ian Boothby
Pencils & Inks:  Chris Houghton
Colors:  Art Villanueva
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Fruit Bat Man Mask
MMMMMMMMPages:  1 1/2
Art by:  Jason Ho, Mike Rote, Art Villanueva

Mr. Burns To The Rescue
MMMMMMMMPages:  6
Script:  Nathan Kane
Pencils:  Tone Rodriguez
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Art Villanueva
Letters:  Karen Bates

Mr. Burns Bears It All
MMMMMMMMPages:  2
Story & Art:  Dean Rankine
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

Burnsie's Belly Laughs!
MMMMMMMMPages:  1  [back cover]
Story:  Nathan Kane
Art:   Jason Ho & Mike Rote
Letters:  Karen Bates
   
Cover Illustration:   Jason Ho, Hilary Barta, and Nathan Kane
Released:   Jun 27, 2013
Departments:   Bongo Bonus Stamp: #184 Smilin' Joe Fission
Extras:   Fruit Bat Man Mask

A Fruit Bat Man mask printed on heavy cardboard occupies the center of this issue with an additional half page greetings and instructions from Montgomery Burns. The centerfold places this in the middle of the story Release The Hounds!.

This entire issue together with the prior One Shot Wonder  Professor Frink Fantastic Science Fictions #1  was included in the Limited Edition issue  The Malevolent Mr. Burns & Professor Frink


The Wonderful World of Lisa Simpson #1

The Wonderful World of Lisa Simpson #1 back cover
The Wonderful World of
  Lisa Simpson #1
   (Dec 2013)
  (One-Shot Wonders #7)

Whether she's extolling the virtues of vegetarianism, raising awareness about the world's moral and social ills, or simply playing with her Malibu Stacy dolls and dreaming of ponies, Lisa Simpson, the pint-sized, pre-teen progressive, may just be the smartest and savviest citizen in Springfield -- and she's still only in the second-grade! Enter the world of Lisa Simpson, a joy-filled journey through a realm of high ideals and girlish delights!


The Pyramids of Lisa
MMMMMMMMPages:  10
Writer:  Heather Nuhfer
Pencils:  Nina Matsumoto
Inks:  Andrew Pepoy
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
Reprinted in:  The Simpsons Best Superhero Stories Ever!  

Honey Pooch Pooch
MMMMMMMMPages:  7
Writer:  Gail Simone
Pencils & Inks:  Pia Guerra
Colors:  Nathan Hamill
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane

The Wonderful World of Lisa Simpson #1 Bonus Sticker Page
Lisa's Lending Library
MMMMMMMMPages:  6
Writer:  Sherri L. Smith
Art:  Kassandra Heller
Letters:  Karen Bates
Editor:   Nathan Kane
   
Front Cover:   Nina Matsumoto, Andrew Pepoy, and Nathan Kane
Back Cover:   Becky Dreistadt
Released:   Dec 18, 2013
Departments:   Bongo Bonus Stamp: #238 The Simpsons Family Smile-Time Variety Hour's "Lisa Simpson"
Extras:   Lisa Simpson Stickers Centerfold

Centerfold features a Lisa themed sticker page seen on the upper right with "It's Clobber Girl Time", "Team Corey" and "Equalia" as well as small stickers and a "bumper sticker" proclaiming The Wonderful World of Lisa Simpson shown immediately below.

The Wonderful World of Lisa Simpson #1 Bonus Bumper Sticker


Duffman Adventures #1 Duffman Adventures #1   (Apr 2014)
  (One-Shot Wonders #8)

Available in April 2014!

Get ready to be blown away by the book you never thought you'd see! We asked which character you wanted us to feature in our next One-Shot Wonder and the answer was a resounding, "Duffman!" The masses have spoken! Now the big question is, can Bongo deliver an awesome issue devoted to Springfield's most one-dimensional and underdeveloped character? We've got two words for you: Oh Yeah!

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This page last updated on March 15, 2014 by Bruce Gomes (bruce@simpsonsarchive.com)

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