The Simpsons Comics Guide
Simpsons Comics
Issues 1 - 9
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Issues 10-19 >>
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Simpsons Comics #1 - Version #1 (Nov 1993)
First Issue Collector's Item!
Cholesterol-filled first issue! What terrifying creature could possibly have a bigger appetite than Homer Simpson, a bigger waistline, or a smaller brain? Only The Amazing Colossal Homer! And only the evil genius of Montgomery Burns could unleash a monster so frightening -- so horrible -- so ridiculous! The citizens of Springfield are panic-stricken! The mayor of Springfield is outraged! The police of Springfield are down at the donut shop (as usual)! Plus, Bart Simpson's Creepy Crawly Tales!
The Amazing Colossal Homer
Bart Simpson's Creepy Crawly Tales
The Collector!
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
5 |
| Script & Layouts: |
Steve Vance |
| Pencils: |
Sondra Roy |
| Inks: |
Bill Morrison |
| Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Inspiration: |
Susan Grode |
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A Matt Groening Production |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Extravaganza (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #1 (magazine) |
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| Departments: |
Junk Mail |
| Front Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Steve Vance, Bill Morrison |
| Front Cover Text: |
He's here... and he's hungry! "The Amazing Colossal Homer!"
Giant Simpsons pull-out poster inside!
Part 1 of ultra-giant 4-part Bongo universe poster! |
| Back Cover Text: |
A Ghastly Tale of Unspeakable Horror... "The Collector"
Homer: D'oooh! |
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| ------------------------------ |
Bongo Comics Group ---------------------- |
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| Publisher: |
Matt Groening |
| Editor in Chief & |
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| Creative Director: |
Steve Vance |
| Editor in Chief & |
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| Creative Director: |
Cindy Vance |
| Managing Editor: |
Jason Grode |
| Art Director: |
Bill Morrison |
| Publicity Director: |
Antonio Coffman |
| Special Thanks to |
Don Welsh |
Bongo Entertainment, Inc., 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
(310) 788-1367, Fax (310) 788-1200.
This was one of the first four comics released by Bongo Comics, each of which included one of four parts
(this was part 1) of an "Ultra-Giant 4-Part Bongo Universe Poster." This edition costs $2.25
(vs. $1.95 for the other versions below) and doesn't have a bar code on the cover.
This was also reprinted in the limited edition
Bongo Comics Group Spectacular volume.
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The front cover pays homage to the original Fantastic Four #1 cover from November 1961.
Note the person running into Moe's on the right, the shadow of the cooling towers, Lisa standing to the
right of a crushed car, even the cracks in the street. (Continues below)
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The back cover pays homage to EC Comics and the Tales from the Crypt design, with the
BC Bongo Comics logo replacing the EC logo on the upper right and left,
fonts matching the original TALES and CRYPT words, and IRONY replacing the word TERROR down the upper left hand side of the cover.
Next Cover >>
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Simpsons Comics #1 - Version #2 (Nov 1993)
(Content same as above)
This version has a bar code on the cover page and doesn't include a poster but only costs $1.95.
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Simpsons Comics #1 - Version #3
(Nov 1993)
(Content same as above)
This version has no poster and is priced at $1.95.
More significantly, this version includes a "Bart Simpson" bar code on the cover page.
The "Bart Simpson" bar codes on these special versions of
Simpsons Comics #1,
Itchy & Scratchy Comics #1,
Bartman #1 and
Radioactive Man #1
together form a complete headshot of Bart which is illustrated
here!
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Simpsons Comics #1 - Version #4 (Jan 2001)
The Amazing Colossal Homer
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
24 |
| Script, Layouts: |
Steve Vance |
| Finished Art: |
Bill Morrison |
| Additional Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Co-Plot, Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
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A Matt Groening Production |
Homer vs. The Wallpaper
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
4 |
| Script: |
Neil Alsip |
| Pencils: |
James Lloyd |
| Inks: |
Tim Harkins |
| Letters: |
Jeannine Black, Jason Ho |
| Colors: |
Guy Incognito |
| Editor: |
Bill Morrison |
| Interior Design: |
Matt Groening |
Radioactive Man and Fallout Boy in Catch of the Day
(faux advertisement)
Given the potential for confusion I hesitated to even list this here but for completeness
sake it indeed should be. This is a miniature version of the comic, only measuring
3 5/8" by 2 3/8", in a plastic slip case on a keychain. Nonetheless it contains
an accurate and complete reprint of the stories above, with
Homer vs. The Wallpaper taken from
Simpsons Comics #54 and
Radioactive Man and Fallout Boy in Catch of the Day taken from
Simpsons Comics #50.
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Simpsons Comics #1
Version #5 (Mar 2010)
(Content same as original)
This version is an official reprint of the original Bongo comic republished by
Abrams ComicArts that was included in a sleeve in the back cover of the comic reprint volume
The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis.
Bottom right hand corner of the reprint (shown on the left) includes the Abrams ComicArts logo that
appears to the right.
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Simpsons Comics #2 (Jan 1994)
Principal Skinner has finally had enough! Sick and tired of a few hooligans -- especially Bart Simpson -- who are spoiling the learning experience for everyone, the haggard headmaster decides to teach the offenders a lesson. The baddest boys in school get sent to a special delinquency-prevention program at Springfield State Prison called "Scared Spitless." There, in an effort to frighten the kids into going straight, the inmates tell them about the horrors of prison life. But for Bart, the scariest part is the prisoner he's paired with -- Sideshow Bob! Plus, a special second feature: Patty and Selma's Ill-Fated Romance Comics! Can it be true? Marge's sister Selma is having an affair with...Homer?!
Cool Hand Bart
Patty & Selma's Fascinatin' Fashions!
Patty & Selma's Ill-Fated Romance Comics No. 1
My Sister, My Homewrecker!
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
5 |
| Script & Pencils: |
Bill Morrison |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Editor: |
Steve Vance |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Extravaganza (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #1 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Steve Vance, Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Front Cover Text: |
Bob's Back! Bart is trapped by his greatest foe - Sideshow Bob! |
| Back Cover Text: |
Patty: Holy jumpin' Moses!
Selma's new lover is Marge's husband *choke* Homer Simpson! |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
Bongo Beat promotes and celebrates the first four Bongo Comics.
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A parody of the Romance Comic genre that began in the third period of the golden comic era.
The back of Simpsons Comics #2 "Ill-Fated Romance Comics"
takes it's heading using several elements of comics from that period.
Note the scripted Romance in Ill-Fated Romance Comics, using a heart
for the letter "o", mirroring the heading of All True Romance #1 (above, center) from March 1951.
The presence of a heart in the upper left corner
was another common element, used by "Lovers" comics and many others. Lastly, a cover illustration
showing the shocked or sad third party surreptitiously observing a romantic couple was a very common
theme, as illustrated in First Love #17 (above, right) from March 1952.
<< Analysis Index
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Simpsons Comics #3 (March 1994)
The game is afoot, and it's elementary -- Springfield Elementary, that is! With Principal Skinner away at an Elementary School Principals Support Group meeting, a fiendish criminal mastermind steals the statue of the puma, the school's beloved mascot. Who would heist Skinner's hand-crafted pride and joy? For some strange reason, fingers immediately point to Bart Simpson! If the statue isn't recovered before Skinner returns, Bart faces 10,000 years of detention! Can Lisa unmask the real catnapper in time to save Bart from the slammer? Is it Nelson? Jimbo? Ms. Krabappel? No one is above suspicion, not even Groundskeeper Willie! Also, don't miss the thrilling Steranko homage, Krusty, Agent of K.L.O.W.N.!
The Perplexing Puzzle of The Springfield Puma
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
20 |
| Script, Pencils: |
Steve Vance |
| Finished Art: |
Bill Morrison |
| Co-Script, Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Additional Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
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A Matt Groening Production |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Extravaganza (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #2 (magazine) |
Krusty, Agent of K.L.O.W.N.
Keeping Law & Order With Novelty items
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
6 |
| Script: |
Steve Vance, Dan Castellaneta, |
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Deb Lacusta |
| Pencils: |
Steve Vance |
| Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Extravaganza (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #2 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
Credits for Krusty story simply supplied as "A Groening Castellaneta Lacusta Vance Morrison Bavington Vance Production"
Bongo Beat: Don't Trust Anyone Over 12, Man, by Matt Groening.
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The flip cover above and the story within pays homage to comic artist Jim Steranko and
the series he is most admired for, Jack Kirby's Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Many elements of the Krusty, Agent of K.L.O.W.N. cover above mirror Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #4
from September 1968 including the title, the Bongo [Marvel] Comics Group logo, the psychedelic background, and Krusty [Nick]
with gun in hand and a beautiful "babe" behind. This homage was no surprise, as this is the cover
whose coming was foretold in the Ground Zero section of
Radioactive Man #88.
See also the series of flip covers beginning with Simpsons Comics #36!
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Simpsons Comics #4 (May 1994)
Exclusive Simpsons Trading Card Inside!
When a mysterious malady strikes the Springfield Elementary School teacher's lounge, Bart and Lisa are both saddled with brain rattling substitute teachers, but with one big difference -- Bart's new teacher thinks Bart is a genius, while Lisa's teacher thinks she's an underachiever! It's sibling rivalry like you've never seen it -- and it's all Homer's fault! Plus! Special flipside second feature Busman! The totally gnarly post-apocalyptic adventures of a heroic bus driver/mutant vampire slayer, as told by Otto! Special bonus insert! Simpsons Trading Card from SkyBox . . . only available in Bongo Comics!
It's In The Cards
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
21 |
| Script, Layouts: |
Steve Vance |
| Finished Art: |
Bill Morrison & Tim Bavington |
| Co-Plot, Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Art Assist: |
Phil Ortiz |
| Player to be |
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| Named Later: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Extravaganza (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #2 (magazine) |
The Gnarly Adventures Of Busman #1
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
5 |
| Script, Layouts: |
Steve Vance |
| Pencils: |
Bill Morrison |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Fellow Traveller: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Extravaganza (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #2 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Steve Vance, Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Steve Vance, Bill Morrison |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
| Extras: |
SkyBox Simpsons Trading Card B1
Willy "The Dupe" Dipkin |
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See Below!
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Beginning with this issue we see the advent of humorous Groening credits.
Bongo Beat: A Salute to Richard Milhouse Nixon (Yes, Bart's Friend Was Named After Him), by Matt Groening.
Heaven forfend anyone thinks otherwise, this is an accurate diatribe against our former President.
This issue included SkyBox Simpsons Trading Card B1 Willy "The Dupe" Dipkin.
Back of card provides advertisement "Simpsons Trading cards Series II, from
SkyBox International and Bongo Comics, playing in your home town this August."
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Not a front cover parody but a parody on the SkyBox insert card, correlated with the
first story title "It's in The Cards". On the left we see SkyBox Simpsons Trading Card B1, Willy Dipkin, parodying the Fleer 1989 Bill Ripkin card.
Written on the end of Willy Dipkin's bat are the words "Fish Face" (written by Bart in the story),
parodying a famous obscenity written on Bill Ripken's bat. Everything else on the SkyBox card
mirrors the Fleer card, from the background stripes, the position SECOND BASE, and the uniform itself
including the player's number.
<< Previous Cover
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Simpsons Comics #5 (July 1994)
Exclusive Simpsons Trading Card Inside!
Not a joke! Not a hoax! Not a dream story! Itchy and Scratchy are really in Springfield, and that means Springfield is in real trouble! It's Part 2 of our chaotic crossover, "When Bongos Collide!" It's got a trading card from SKYBOX! It's got more hidden decodable messages!
When Bongos Collide!
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
26 |
| Script & Layouts: |
Steve Vance |
| Co-Plot, Finished Art: |
Bill Morrison |
| Co-Plot, Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Inking Assist: |
Tim Bavington |
| Nuclear Regulator: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Bartman:
The Best of the Best (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #3 (magazine) |
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| Cover Illustration: |
Steve Vance, Bill Morrison |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
| Extras: |
SkyBox Simpsons Trading Card B4
Black Belch Smell-O-Rama card |
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Bongo Beat: My Rock 'N' Roll Life, Part One: So You Want To Snort Derisively, by Matt Groening.
Part Two was printed in Bartman #3.
This Bongo Beat article was subsequently reprinted in Simpsons Comics Royale.
Pages 8, 23 and 24 have comic panels that include grey screens that are only visible using the
SkyBox Decoder Screen card that is bound into
Itchy & Scratchy #3.
This was Part 2 of 3 of the "When Bongos Collide" Crossover story that is continued from
Itchy & Scratchy #3 and concludes in
Bartman #3.
This issue included SkyBox Simpsons Trading Card B4 Black Belch. "Simpsons Smell-O-Rama Cards"
"The infamouse Black Belch can wipe out entire city blocks with a single blast of
his noxious inner fumes. Scratch the gas cloud to discover the heady aroma of
his deadly vapors!" Back of card provides advertisement "Look for 10 different
Smell-O-Rama cards in Simpsons Trading cards, Series II, from SkyBox International
and Bongo Comics, stinking up stores this August."
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Wraparound Cover artwork from Simpsons Comics #5
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Simpsons Comics #6 (Sept 1994)
Lisa and Otto unwittingly conspire together to form the hottest jazz-fusion band Springfield's ever seen. Also, Chief Wiggum goes in search of Springfield's #1 Most Wanted--El Barto!
Be-Bop-a-Lisa
Chief Wiggum's Pre-Code Crime Comics #1 (Oct.)
The End of El Barto
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
5 |
| Script & Pencils: |
Steve Vance |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington & Steve Vance |
| Colors: |
Cindy Vance |
| Bailiff: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #4 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Steve Vance, Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Steve Vance |
| Back Cover Text: |
Springfield Penitentiary sign on wall above
EL BARTO spray painted below
True Tales from the files of The Springfield Police Department! |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
Bongo Beat: A Personal Letter To You From Matt, by Matt Groening, provides a humorous form letter
to speed Matt's reply to all the letters and offers he receives.
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This cover pays homage to the crime comics genre led by Marvel comics, and the cover
takes its design from the first and leading crime comic, Crime Does Not Pay, illustrated here with
pre-code issue #84 from February 1950.
<< Previous Cover
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Simpsons Comics #7 (Nov 1994)
Bart finds a way to dodge his chores and a way to sneak off when the circus comes to town. Also, McBain manages to turn a black tie affair into a black and blue bloodbath.
The Greatest D'oh! On Earth
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
22 |
| Story: |
Andrew Gottlieb |
| Pencils: |
Phil Ortiz |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Lettering: |
[Richard] Starkings / Comicraft |
| Colors: |
Electric Crayon |
| Edits: |
Bill Morrison |
| Ringmaster: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #4 (magazine) |
McBain Comics
Rainier Wolfcastle as McBain in: Dead to the Last Drop
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
7 |
| Script: |
Bill Morrison |
| Pencils: |
Bill Morrison |
| Colors: |
Nathan Kane |
| Letters: |
Richard Starkings / Comicraft |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #4 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover Text: |
McBain: Guns Don't Kill People -- I DO!
Big Anti-GUN Issue (with "GUN" formatted to stand out) |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
Credits for McBain story supplied in theatrical format as "Written & Directed by Bill Morrison - Titles by C. Craft - Colors in Crayon-O-Vision"
Bongo Beat: Guilt By Association, by Matt Groening, discusses various instances where the Simpsons family has
been misappropriated by unofficial parties for questionable purposes and The Simpsons have been blamed for it - such as
the rude and crude knock-off T-Shirts, the vegetarian group using Bart saying "Don't Eat a Cow, Man" to the Barneys
clothing store holiday window with 3 Bart Simpson dolls as the three wise men.
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Simpsons Comics #8 (Jan 1995)
Bart and Milhouse accidentally go on a fantastic voyage through Mr. Burns' enfeebled body...forcing Homer to go after them in a martini olive-shaped space capsule. Also includes the jungle adventure story "Edna, Queen of the Congo."
I Shrink, Therefore I'm Small
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
21 |
| Story: |
Gary Glasberg |
| Pencils: |
Luis Escobar |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Lettering: |
[Richard] Starkings / Comicraft |
| Colors: |
Electric Crayon / Nathan Kane |
| Inspiration: |
Steve Vance |
| Lab Assistant: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #5 (magazine) |
Edna, Queen of the Congo #1
Edna, Queen of the Congo in: Jungle Bungle
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
7 |
| Story, |
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| Layouts, Inks: |
Bill Morrison |
| Pencils: |
Luis Escobar |
| Lettering: |
[Richard] Starkings / Comicraft |
| Colors: |
Electric Crayon / Nathan Kane |
| Bushwhacker: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #5 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
| Extras: |
Simpsons Trivia, Bongo Profile:
Bill Morrison |
Bongo Beat: My Life As A Blurb Machine, by Matt Groening, discusses how he's often asked to write blurbs for
comics, books, CD's, etc. - and after writing so many he's "all blurbed out!"
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The jungle girl comic genre was one that had its beginnings with Sheena, Queen of the Jungle,
first in Jumbo Comics and then in her own comics series. Above we see Jumbo Comics #64 from
June 1944, with Sheena, wearing a leopard skin bikini, knife in hand, swinging down to save the captured explorer from the fleeing natives.
Likewise we see Edna, Queen of the Congo, swooping down to save the intrepid explorer
Seymour Skinner from the fleeing natives, Bart, Milhouse and Nelson. The Sheena issues below,
Sheena #9 from 1950 and Sheena #18 from Winter 1952-1953,
have switched to a one-piece leopard skin.
<< Previous Cover
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Simpsons Comics #9 (Mar 1995)
All of Springfield falls prey to the finger-pointing frenzy of tell-all tales in Simpsons Comics #9. PLUS! America's favorite barfly, Barney Gumble, in CHUG-A-LUG COMICS!
The Purple Prose Of Springfield
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
21 |
| Script: |
Andrew Gottlieb |
| Pencils: |
Luis Escobar |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Lettering: |
[Richard] Starkings / Comicraft |
| Colors: |
Electric Crayon |
| Stetistician: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #5 (magazine) |
Homer Simpson's Pathetic Pal Barney Gumble #1
Homer Simpson's Pathetic Pal Barney in:
Asleep at the Well
| MMMMMMMMPages: |
7 |
| Story: |
Bill Morrison |
| Pencils: |
Stephanie Gladden |
| Inks: |
Tim Bavington |
| Lettering: |
[Richard] Starkings / Comicraft |
| Colors: |
Electric Crayon |
| Braumeister: |
Matt Groening |
| Reprinted in: |
Simpsons Comics Spectacular (book) |
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Simpsons Classics #5 (magazine) |
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| Front Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Front Cover Text: |
My Diary - Lisa Simpson |
| Back Cover: |
Bill Morrison |
| Back Cover Text: |
Featuring: The Wife Dodger, The Ear Bender, Old Barkeep
Barney: I yam what I ya-UuUuuRrP!! |
| Departments: |
The Bongo Beat, Junk Mail |
| Extras: |
Simpsons Trivia, Bongo Profile:
Tim Bavington |
Bongo Beat: 114 Things I Like That Other People Say They Hate
(Or Why You're Lucky You Were Never My Roommate) , by Matt Groening.
Credits for "The Purple Prose Of Springfield" include
Matt Groening: Stetistician. Stetistician?
A preliminary unpublished name for the Barney Gumble section appears to have been
Barney Gumble's Chug-a-lug Comics.
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