Review: SIMPSONS COMICS Colossal Compendium Volume 7

SIMPSONS COMICS COLOSSAL COMPENDIUM VOLUME 7
HARPERCOLLINS/Harper Design – @HarperCollins @harperdesignbks

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Max Davison; Ian Boothby; John Jackson Miller; Dean Rankine; Michael Saikin; Mike W. Barr; Patrick M. Verrone
PENCILS: Hilary Barta; Jacob Chabot; Rex Lindsey; Nina Matsumoto; Dean Rankine; James Lloyd; Phil Ortiz; John Delaney; Mike DeCarlo; John Costanza
INKS: Andrew Pepoy; Jacob Chabot; Hilary Barta; Mike Rote; Dean Rankine; Mike DeCarlo
COLORS: Art Villanueva; Alan Hellard
LETTERS: Karen Bates
EDITOR: Nathan Kane
COVER:  Matt Groening
ISBN: 978-0-06-287880-9; paperback (July 2, 2019)
176pp, Color, $18.99 U.S., $23.99 CAN

“The Simpsons” is an American animated television sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company.  “The Simpsons” has been a continuous presence on broadcast television since December of the 1989-90 television season.  “The Simpsons” presents a satirical depiction of a working class family which consists of Homer Simpson (the father), Marge Simpson (the mother), Bart (the oldest child and only son), Lisa (the precocious and brilliant elder daughter), and Maggie (a baby girl).  “The Simpsons” also parodies American culture, pop culture, society, etc. via the denizens of The Simpsons' home town, Springfield.

In 1993. Matt Groening, Bill Morrison, and Steve and Cindy Vance founded Bongo Comics Group (or simply Bongo Comics).  Until 2018 when it closed, Bongo Comics published numerous comic book series and single-issue publications featuring characters, plots, settings, and situations from “The Simpsons” TV series.

Since 2013, Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins, has been publishing the Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium.  This is a paperback graphic novel series which reprints select comics stories from various issues of Bongo Comics' Simpsons comic books.   The latest release, Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 7, reprints material that originally appeared in the following comic books:  Grampa Simpson Unbelievable Adventures #1 (2015); Simpsons Comics #'s 171, 184, 232, 233, 235, and 236 (October 2010 to January 2017); Simpsons Summer Shindig #'s 7 (May 2013) and 9 (May 2015); Simpson Super Spectacular #11 (June 2010).

Harper Design sent me a copy of Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 7 for review, as they did a few years ago with Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 4.  In the last two decades, I've read only a few individual Simpsons comics, although I have always enjoyed them.  In the last five years, I have read several volumes of Harper Design's Simpsons trade paperbacks, thanks to review copies.

Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 7 does not really have any great stories (although there are some good ones), but the stories contained within this volume offer many funny and clever moments.  For instance, “Grampa Simpson's Great Sandwich Caper!” is a clever spoof of those choose-your-own-adventure stories because it is composed of clever moments, rather than an overall clever plot.  “Uncivil War Bartman vs. Houseboy” offers funny introductions of parody superheroes; one of the best is Milhouse Van Houten's father, Kirk Van Houten, dressed in a “Deadman” style costume and trying to use his super-heroic activities as divorce-dad quality time.

There are some good stories.  “Pieman Meets the Pi Man” pits Homer Simpson's Pieman against a wacky villain, “Pi Man,” who uses math to confound his victims and the targets of his schemes.  The story “Railroaded” was recently reprinted in another trade paperback.  This tale of vacation-by-train beset by overcrowding somehow finds a way to continually assault my funny bone.

“100% Homer” recalls the 2011 film, Limitless, as a rancid donut makes Homer super-smart, and he gets a third eye and goes on a trippy trip.  The balloon race and religion con-themed “Karmageddon” exemplifies the sharp humor we expect of “The Simpsons.”  Homer takes on Ned Flanders in a balloon race, and Lisa Simpson tries to attend a multi-faith religious convention, (“Karma-Con”), although the tickets to attend are sold out.  Just the premise alone is funny, but this odd tale is infused with humor.

So, while Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 7 is not a great collection, it reflects what Bongo Comics (a defunct publisher as of 2018) offered – some of the best humor comics published in North America.  Funny moments and good humor, Vol. 7 of the Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium will tickle the funny bone.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

Review: BART SIMPSON Bust-Up

BART SIMPSON BUST-UP
HARPERCOLLINS/Harper Design – @HarperCollins @harperdesignbks @TheSimpsons

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: John Zakour; Carol Lay; Sergio Aragones; David Seidman; Tom & Henry Gammill; Mary Trainor; Max Davison; Ian Boothby; Peter Kuper; Tony Digerolamo; John Jackson Miller; Evan Dorkin
PENCILS: John Delaney; Carol Lay; Sergio Aragones; Hilary Barta; Tone Rodriguez; John Costanza; Phil Ortiz; Peter Kuper; Jason Ho; Eric Shanower; James Lloyd; Rex Lindsey
INKS: Dan Davis; Carol Lay; Sergio Aragones; Hilary Barta; Tone Rodriguez; Phyllis Novin; Mike DeCarlo; Andrew Pepoy; Peter Kuper; Jason Ho; Eric Shanower
COLORS: Nathan Hamill; Peter Kuper & Minah Kim; Jason Ho; Art Villanueva
LETTERS: Karen Bates
COVER: Matt Groening
ISBN: 978-0-06-269255-9; paperback (April 3, 2018)
128pp, Color, $16.99 U.S., $21.00 CAN

Bart Simpson Bust-Up is a new trade paperback comic book collection from Harper Design.  Bart Simpson Bust-Up collects 18 comic book short stories and short gags that were published in various Bart Simpson comic books during the second half of 2012.

Bart Simpson is a character on the animated television sitcom, “The Simpsons,” produced first run for the Fox Broadcasting Company.  “The Simpsons” present a satirical depiction of a working class family which consists of Homer Simpson (the father), Marge Simpson (the mother), Bart (the oldest child and only son), Lisa (the precocious and brilliant elder daughter), and Maggie (a baby girl).  “The Simpsons” also parodies American culture, pop culture, society, politics, media, etc. via the denizens of The Simpsons home town, Springfield.

In 1993, Matt Groening (creator of “The Simpsons”), Bill Morrison, and Steve and Cindy Vance founded Bongo Comics Group (or simply Bongo Comics).  Over the course of a quarter-century, Bongo Comics has published numerous comic book series and single-issue publications based on “The Simpsons.”  The comic books have starred and featured all the characters that are part of this franchise, from the Simpsons clan to the various supporting characters, including Ralph Wiggum and his father, Chief Wiggum; Bart's pals, Milhouse and Nelson; Ned Flanders; and Principal Seymour Skinner, to name a few.

Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins, has been publishing a line of full-color, original trade paperbacks that reprint select stories from Bongo Comics' various Simpsons comic books.  The latest trade paperback, Bart Simpson Bust-Up, reprints issues #73 to #77 of Simpsons Comics Presents Bart Simpson (July 2012 to November 2012) and The Simpsons Summer Shindig #7 (May 2013).  Simpsons Comics Presents Bart Simpson or simply Bart Simpson was Bongo Comics' long-running comic book series starring Bart Simpson that ran from 2000 to 2016.

Bart Simpson Bust-Up opens with “Everybody Really Hates Bart,” and it is Bart's fault after one of his pranks creates a nightmare right out of a horror movie.  Then, Bart is the victim of Lisa's sociological experimentation in “Decisions, Decisions.”  It is a disaster of shoe proportions in “There's No Business Like Shoe Business,” with a little help from baby genius, Maggie Simpson.

Bart and Milhouse go “Into the Woods,” showing that these two boys are not scout material.  Bart, Milhouse, and Nelson are among the boys trying to impress the “New Girl in Town.”  Bart uses old coupons and causes a disaster in “ For a Limited Time Only.”  Finally, Bart uses all his wiles to bring comfort to his family in “Railroaded.”

Harper Design has been sending me review copies of its Simpsons trade paperback originals for the past few years.  Bart Simpson Bust-Up is the fourth one they have sent me, and I am delighted to say that it is the best.  That is saying a lot because I really liked the previous three Simpsons collections that I read.

Bart Simpson Bust-Up is filled with stories that are funny (obviously), but are also imaginative and inventive.  “Good Cop, Bart Cop” (story by Ian Boothby and art by John Delaney and Andrew Pepoy) is funny in a way that recalls the best entries in the Lethal Weapon film franchise (the first two).  “Into the Woods” has a killer “special bonus” panel to end the story.  No two stories are the same; each one is a surprising and novel treat.

In my review of the previous volume, Simpsons Comics Game On!, I wrote that one does not have to be a fan of “The Simpsons” to like it.  It is the same with Bart Simpson Bust-Up, which is filled with excellently crafted humor comics.  If you want funny comics, buy this collection.  If you are a fan of “The Simpsons,” Bart Simpson Bust-Up is too funny to pass up.

9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------------

New "Knight Errant" and "Blood Ties" Star Wars Comics Coming

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES NEW KNIGHT ERRANT & BLOOD TIES SERIES!

Fresh from the panel at New York Comic Con, Dark Horse Comics is back with new series arcs from two of their most popular Star Wars books!

Star Wars: Blood Ties – Boba Fett is Dead

Established Star Wars writer Tom Taylor is back with another stunning Blood Ties series to be released in April 2012.

"Boba Fett is dead. The most infamous hunter in the galaxy has been hunted. He's lying, broken, on the desert floor. He's more blaster-holes than man. It's the ultimate ending. However, this is just the start of our story. With the fall of Fett broadcast across the galaxy, someone rises to avenge him. But who would care about the death of a man like Fett? Bounty hunters aren't exactly known for their enduring, close friendships but even a man like Boba Fett has family... and now a Blood Tie demands blood." -Tom Taylor

Star Wars: Knight Errant - Escape

The next installment of the sunning Knight Errant series was announced today. Star Wars: Knight Errant – Escapewill launch in June 2012 for a 5-issue arc.

Fan favorite John Jackson Miller is writing the series, with artwork from penciller, Marco Castiello, inking by Vincenzo Acunzo, colors by Michael Atiyeh and lettering by Michael Heiser.

John Jackson Miller’s Knight Errant novel for Del Rey was a New York Times Bestseller.

Jedi Knight Kerra Holt continues her one woman crusade against the Sith from behind enemy lines on her most dangerous mission yet!

Dark Horse Announces New "Mass Effect" Comic Book Miniseries

DARK HORSE TO GIVE FIRST LOOK AT MASS EFFECT: EVOLUTION AT COMIC-CON!

Dynamic creative team of Mac Walters, John Jackson Miller and Omar Francia return for a follow up to the massively successful first series

Following the incredible success of Dark Horse Comics’ Mass Effect: Redemption, the publisher will join forces again with BioWare, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc., for an all-new comic book series based on the blockbuster sci-fi action videogame Mass Effect 2 that sold two million copies in its first week and earned a 96% score on the industry-watched review aggregator Metacritic. Scheduled to launch on January 19, 2011, Mass Effect: Evolution will take fans to a new corner of the Mass Effect universe, shedding light for the first time on the origin of the Illusive Man and the founding of his black-ops outfit, Cerberus.

Mass Effect: Evolution reunites the creative team of Redemption with Mac Walters, Lead Writer of Mass Effect 2 and the upcoming Mass Effect 3, writing the story and bringing his unmatched understanding of Mass Effect’s characters to the comics. Walters is joined by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man), who scripts the series, and Omar Francia (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2), who returns as artist. The team will be joined by Massimo Carnevale (Y: The Last Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), who provides stunning painted covers.

“It's exciting to be working once again with Dark Horse and the creative team from Redemption,” Walters said. “I really enjoyed taking this series in a darker, grittier direction—a fact that's reflected in Massimo's outstanding covers. I'm sure fans of the universe and comics alike will enjoy this new glimpse in to the Mass Effect universe!”

"Our first Mass Effect series exceeded all expectations,” Dark Horse Publisher Mike Richardson said. “We're very excited about continuing the adventures of these great characters and working with the great folks at EA."

The four-issue series offers the most revealing glimpse to date of humans’ first steps into the wider universe of Mass Effect. Opening in a time of war, Evolution introduces a younger and very different Illusive Man, fighting to maintain human autonomy from alien interference, a cause that takes him behind enemy lines and into conflict with some of Mass Effect’s most dangerous figures. His journey from dissident to power broker presents new insights into the Mass Effect saga for existing fans, while the focus on the earliest days of Cerberus provides a riveting story of action and intrigue for sci-fi readers of all stripes.

Dark Horse will be revealing more about the series and cover art from issue #1 at San Diego Comic-Con International. Comic-Con attendees should head to the “Video Game Comics—The Next Big Thing” panel on Thursday, July 22 at 1 p.m. in Room 5AB or the “Dark Horse Comics: Make Contact in 2010” panel on Friday, July 23 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 3 for more!


About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the U.S. and is recognized as one of the world's leading publisher of licensed comics material.

About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld, mobile and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's best-selling titles, including the award-winning Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and Sonic™ Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (for the Nintendo DS™). Original BioWare-created intellectual properties include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montréal (Québec), and Austin (Texas), BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy roleplaying game, Dragon Age™: Origins, Mass Effect 2™, the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, as well as several unannounced projects. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world's leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS Freestyle™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

*BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. . All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

New Star Wars Comic Book Series, "Knight Errant" Due this Fall

Press release from Dark Horse Comics:

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW STAR WARS™ SERIES, KNIGHT ERRANT!

AS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC DRAWS TO A CLOSE, WRITER JOHN JACKSON MILLER MOVES TO AN UNCHARTED CORNER OF THE GALAXY!

Coming off the heels of penning the breakout hit Mass Effect: Redemption and the gripping finale of Knights of the Old Republic, writer John Jackson Miller introduces us to Kerra Holt, a young Jedi who’s about to realize that her role in the galaxy is far more important, and vastly different, than she could have ever imagined.

Set one thousand years before Episode I, in a time referred to as the “Dark Age of the Republic,” this story takes place in an era when the Sith were legion and the Republic was strained to the breaking point, leaving large swaths of the galaxy with no one to turn to. This pivotal time in the history of Star Wars has been largely unexplored, until now.

Additionally, for the first time ever, the writer of this new comics series will also be authoring a novel for Del Rey Books, set in the same era and involving the same cast of characters in an all-new adventure. It’s going to be a unique event for Star Wars, and one that will give fans a whole new perspective on the galaxy.

“There’s such wonderful chaos going on in the galaxy in this period,” said writer John Jackson Miller. “More than a generation before Darth Bane introduced the Rule of Two, Sith Lords are colliding not just with the Republic, but with each other. Kerra’s going to find that good intentions just may not be enough in a galaxy gone mad! This is a wide-open area to explore, and I’m thrilled that Dark Horse and Del Rey have given me this opportunity to do so.”

“With John writing both the comics and the novel, Knight Errant, will be a Star Wars story on a scale we've never undertaken before," said comic-series editor Dave Marshall. “This will be a first-of-its-kind opportunity to introduce the Expanded Universe of the Dark Horse comics to the fans of the Del Rey novels and vice versa!”

With more news in the coming months, look for Star Wars: Knight Errant to arrive on shelves later this fall!