Simpsons Comics Thread

[Charlie]

Just got #187. Kinda disappointed. The description had a lot of potential and I really like the cover art but... there's just no story to it.

Problem number one: It's the same joke over and over again for 25 pages. And nothing against the guy, but it's something I've brought up before - I'm tired of how most things that Ian Boothby writes has to be a pun or some kind of play of words. He just makes the joke too 'in your face' and treats the reader as if they're stupid (he did the same thing in the latest Futurama. There's lots of gags referring to iPhone apps, and there was one about the game Cut the Rope that actually made me laugh when I saw the visual, but then he had the Professor actually yell out "cut the rope!" which totally ruined it for me - gags are ruined when they have to be explained). For example, in this one, they have Bart and Lisa arguing over pokes (ala Facebook) - "Bart's poking me!" "Just superpoke him back", and then Lisa suddenly snaps for the sake of a cheap joke - "I'm going upstairs to my space". We already know what the plot of the comic is, we don't need stupid jokes like this; that one literally made me groan out loud. It is possible to make references to things without making them so in-your-face and obvious all the time, and there's no rule that is always has to be a joke. Sometimes I can smile or laugh just from appreciating a good reference, and honestly find it tiring when a script is always trying to grasp for laugh after laugh.

Problem number two: There's no real ending. Making it more obvious that this was just an easy way to write a heap of internet jokes, and the end is basically "lets go to Moe's, get drunk, and forget what just happened."

Problem number three: John Costanza at his crappiest. Nuff said.

Overall, a really disappointing issue.

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Edit: Was browsing amazon, and came across this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simpsons-Ann...9660731&sr=8-6

Note the year, 2010. Now, compare it to the cover of Simpsons Comics #184, published November 2011:

http://snpp.com/guides/comics_sc18.html

Identical aside from a few changed colours. Now, I knew Bongo could be lazy... but REALLY? Using art from a comic cover on another publication is one thing, but to reverse it (use old artwork on a monthly issue) just seems wrong to me.

[ArchiveGuy]

With regard to the reuse of covers they obviously felt that reuse of a cover from a *foreign* publication (UK)..

http://snpp.com/guides/booklistuk02.html#CR105

on the current comic...

http://snpp.com/guides/comics_sc18.html#SC184

..was acceptable. Amazon for the past 18 months has been offering a selection of the UK publications on the US site, which is something I've been requesting for years and am extremely happy to see, since the postage is so prohibitive for individuals while they can ship things in bulk far cheaper. I'm still hoping for the day when everything is available with cheaper postage, either from the US site or simply at a reasonable price from the foreign Amazon sites.

Thought there was one other example of this... but I couldn't find it. Recently I've been trying to note image reuse wherever it occurs so this is one I'll want to add.

Thanks!

ArchiveGuy

[Mozy]

I've just started collecting comics and I've only purchased 2 so far...so I have a lot of catching up to do. I have the reboot of The Simpsons Illustrated and I just recently bought #187.

[Solid Snake]

Heh. Just a bit, there are more than 300 issues to get. I have a few doubles if you want them. But discuss that in PM.
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About the duplicate covers, the UK comics used to do this a lot, I dunno if they still do, not that I care since I don't collect them anymore for blatant price gouging and rudeness in their Junk Mail section. Simpsons Comics #100 was split into #100 and #101 where 101 was given the same cover as one of the Episode Guide books.

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I'm kinda technically minded regarding this, but the way the "internet" machine-wise was portrayed bugs me, I know it's supposed to be for comedy, but saying that one giant computer is the internet as a whole is just stupid. If it were Springfield's Exchange to connect would be better. After all, if it were the entirety of the web then the whole world would be knocking on 742's door, not just Springfield.

[Mozy]

If you had to pick 3 Simpsons comics as "the greatest issues", what would they be?

[Solid Snake]

For me personally, I'd pick #15, #33 and #47.

All three of which I recently bought conveniently enough. :P

[Mozy]

I heard somewhere that you can view these comics online, is this true? If so, is there a link?

Thanks for the suggestions, Snake!

[Simpsons old fan]

Hey Solid Snake - your comicbook posts are helping me a great deal! I just got into hardcore Simpsons collecting. Got all the seasons on DVD and since merchandise are out of my reach where I live - I've been looking to pick up all the tpbs I can get my hands on.

[Charlie]

I heard somewhere that you can view these comics online, is this true? If so, is there a link?

Thanks for the suggestions, Snake!

Not legally, no, and the people that make the comics do look at this website so if we were to link you to a website that provides this they'll probably be able to get it taken offline

[Mother Teresa Jr]

They need to go digital. How they're still making money, I have no idea. They need to get with it already. It took them over a decade to do something with their domain. They're losing money not progressing.

[Solid Snake]

Some still like printed media, there's no sense of ownership on digital files, with printed paper there is. That said, there's nothing against doing both, of course.

[Mozy]

I know that I haven't collected comics for a long time but I would prefer to have a copy in my hand. There's just something about reading at hand that makes it more special!

[Charlie]

Exactly, I love flipping through my comic boxes going through all my back issues.

In the letters page of one of the newer ones (I think it was Futurama #59), someone brought up if they'll ever be available for iPad, Kindle, etc, and Bongo asked for people to let them know what they think. If there's enough demand it could happen. What would be cool is if each comic came with a unique code printed inside the cover or something, where if you buy the issue you get access to an online digital copy and maybe for a small subscription you could access the entire back catalogue. It wouldn't stop me from buying the physical copies, but it would be really convenient for traveling.

[Mozy]

Have any of you ever wondered if The Simpsons staff ever considered turning the comics into episodes? Do you think that there would be more viewers?

[Charlie]

From what I've read, the writers of the show dislike the comics, to the point they've made several unfavourable references to them (eg. Bart holding up a Simpsons comic strip and saying "you know it's gotta suck", with the Bongo logo clearly visible in Behind the Laughter). In the older issues from before Junk Mail was discontinued, it was asked all the time, and it was always said that they'd prefer leaving the comics and the series separate.

[Solid Snake]

The Junk Mail section in the UK also got that alot, almost as often as "Can I haz star letter prize plz" or "plz tell us who the junk mail guy really is" it's really quite annoying.

There have been some very unfavourable comments about the comics on the DVD Commentaries, in some cases with Groening in the room.

[Charlie]

I feel bad for the guy because he'll try and start a conversation about them, for example "well me and Bill Morrison, who I created Bongo Comics with...", and then he kind of trails off because of the total, utter silence. I've found the comics to be consistently better than the series for a few years now. They can stupid at times and there's the odd dud, but they actually manage to come up with something the show can't anymore - good ideas.

[Solid Snake]

I've found the comics to be consistently better than the series for a few years now.

Yeah, I've been saying that to RL friends for a while too. The amount of duds in the comics is about equal to the number of gems in the show.

The stories are interesting, and I like looking at the artwork in them alot more than I do with Framegrabs from episodes. If the Simpsons went the way Futurama did becoming comic book exclusive during it's cancellation, I'd personally be fine with that.

[Diversity Pumpkin]

I think I've said this before, but there was a time when the comics couldn't even touch the show. Now it's the other way around, no questions asked. Kind of odd to think about.

[Mozy]

Speaking of the comic vs. episode idea, is it a coincidence that Homer was dressed in a Burns costume in "At Long Last Leave" just like in comic issue #187?

[Solid Snake]

I noticed that too. I'd say it's just a coincidence.

[Kiyosuki]

Not exact adaptations, but a few stories in the comics have eventually gotten a TV series equivalent with the general concept. An episode about a boy-band being one example.

The comic version usually came first, and in my opinion it's usually far better than the TV series equivalent that eventually shows up.

The bongo Treehouses at least have consistently beaten the crap out of their TV series counterparts on pretty much every level for years now. They're fun, not afraid to get bizarre as hell or completely change even the style of the comic (something really only the comic can do.), and occasionally they're even kinda downright creepy or crazy gory, even lightly stepping into territory I just can't see the TV series ever stepping into. One story from about a year ago was pretty much how much of the cast could they kill off in as gory and messy a manner as possible. And don't get me started about that creepy ass story where Marge was eventually cooked by Willie like a turkey. It's so crazy but I love it. That's what a Treehouse of Horror should be.

So those writers can say whatever they want, but that at least stands as inarguable imo.

[Mozy]

Good call, Kiyosuki!

[Captain Squid]

I feel bad for the guy because he'll try and start a conversation about them, for example "well me and Bill Morrison, who I created Bongo Comics with...", and then he kind of trails off because of the total, utter silence. I've found the comics to be consistently better than the series for a few years now. They can stupid at times and there's the odd dud, but they actually manage to come up with something the show can't anymore - good ideas.

That's a real shame, and is something upper management at Bongo and the show's crew needs to work on. That sort of animosity between the television and print is uncalled for. It's just pathetic, and frankly it makes me hate any of the show's staff when I hear it. It's too bad Matt is such a nice guy, because if somebody from Gracie Films is talking shit about Bongo in front of Matt, he should call them out. Nothing hostile. Just say "What is your problem with the comics? They've produced some excellent stories and art over the past 19 years."

Look at other media properties, like Star Wars for example. Lucasfilm's film, television, video game and print groups all work with each other and help each other out. Folks over at the television division work with folks from the comics division, by sharing ideas or writers or even working together for some cross-media storytelling. One of the better episodes of The Clone Wars this season was based on a comic book mini-series!

Imagine if Gracie Films weren't assholes to Bongo. They might have a better working relationship and it could lead to some pretty awesome things, like adaptations of the comic stories or a bit of tv/comic book tie-ins. I still think that the Simpsons/Futurama crossover was one of the best Simpsons related things from the past 10 years. I also think that the comics released during the classic era of the show are as good as the classic episodes. Also, every issue of Radioactive Man is excellent.

[yodazone]

Bongo Comics for May:

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stori...8/bongomay.htm

[Captain Squid]

Wonder when Super Spectacular returns?

[Darkel]

I've bought a Radioactive Man #1 bongo comic from ebay. should be arriving in a couple of weeks. I've never taken any interest in comics but this one looked interesting.

[Mozy]

Do The Simpsons comics come out every month or bi-monthly?

[Solid Snake]

They're monthly. Though they'll switch between series's each week.

So one week it'll be Simpsons Comics, followed by Bart Simpson followed Super Spectacular for example. There are weeks where more than one line is released on the same day and there will be weeks where there's none at all.

You can always check the Bongo Comics Official Blog for the latest news. For 22/2, it's Bart Simpson #68

[The Governor]

Imagine if Gracie Films weren't assholes to Bongo. They might have a better working relationship and it could lead to some pretty awesome things, like adaptations of the comic stories or a bit of tv/comic book tie-ins. I still think that the Simpsons/Futurama crossover was one of the best Simpsons related things from the past 10 years. I also think that the comics released during the classic era of the show are as good as the classic episodes. Also, every issue of Radioactive Man is excellent.

I think, and this is speculation on my part, the REAL reason we don't see comic's being turned into TV shows beyond the mere "basic" ideas like Simpsons #27 and HOMR is Groening would have to give up some, if not all, his publication rights so he could cross-promote the same ideas in print and in broadcasting. That's why the Simpsons comics have sort of become the "Steven Speilbergo" version of the Simpsons Universe.