Review: BART SIMPSON Breaks Out

BART SIMPSON BREAKS OUT
HARPERCOLLINS/Harper Design – @HarperCollins @harperdesignbks @TheSimpsons

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Pat McGreal; Shane Houghton; Dean Rankine; Ian Boothby; John Zakour and Max Davison; Eric Rogers; Tony DiGerolamo; Carol Lay; Arie Kaplan; Mike W. Barr; Ian Brill
PENCILS: Rex Lindsey; Nina Matsumoto; Dean Rankine; John Delaney; Phil Ortiz; Mike Kazaleh; Carol Lay; Tone Rodriguez
INKS: Dan Davis; Andrew Pepoy; Dean Rankine; Mike DeCarlo; Mike Rote; Mike Kazaleh; Carol Lay
COLORS: Art Villanueva; Nathan Hamill
LETTERS: Karen Bates
EDITOR: Nathan Kane
COVER: Matt Groening
ISBN: 978-0-06-287873-1; paperback (April 2, 2019)
128pp, Color, $16.99 U.S., $21.00 CAN

Bart Simpson Breaks Out is a new trade paperback comic book collection from Harper Design.  Bart Simpson Breaks Out collects comic book short stories and short gags that were originally published in the comic book series, Bart Simpson, specifically issues #78, #79, #80, #81, #82, and #83. (cover dated:  January 2013 to May 2013).

Bart Simpson is one of the lead characters in the long-running animated television sitcom, “The Simpsons” (Fox).  “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, politics, media, etc. via the denizens of The Simpsons home town, Springfield.

In 1993, Bongo Comics Group (or simply Bongo Comics) began publishing numerous comic book series and single-issue publications based on “The Simpsons.”  Beginning in 2000, Bongo gave Bart his on title, Simpsons Comics Presents Bart Simpson (or simply Bart Simpson).  The comics presented in Bart Simpson Breaks Out collects stories published in the final quarter of the series.  Bart Simpson ended with issue #100 in 2016 (and Bongo ceased publishing in 2018).

I really enjoyed the previous Bart Simpson trade paperback, 2018's Bart Simpson Bust-Up, and I happy to tell you, dear readers, that Bart Simpson Breaks Out is just as good.

The opening story, “The Booty” (written by Pat McGreal and drawn by Rex Lindsey and Dan Davis), is a cute story with a funny pie-eating contest in the middle.  However, Breaks Out really... breaks out with the second story, “I'd Rather Bleed Than Read” (by Shane Houghton, Nina Matsumoto, and Andrew Pepoy), which finds Principal Seymour Skinner trapping Bart in the Springfield Elementary school library in order to force the lad to read at least one book.  The resolution to the story is rather novel, if not a stroke of genius.

“Bartman vs. Doctor Octuplets” (by Ian Boothby, John Delaney, and Pepoy) is one of two stories featuring Bart's superhero alter-ego, “Bartman.”  It has a neat take on Spider-Man villain, Doctor Octopus, via Kwik-E-Mart manager, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, and his brood of children.  The second Bartman story, “Who the Bartman?” (by Arne Kaplan, Tone Rodriguez, and Pepoy), offers a novel take on how Bart's classmates view Bartman.

Breaks Out has two Maggie Simpson stories written and drawn by the great alternative comic book creator, Carol Lay.  The first one, “Maggie and the Moon,” is quite poignant and beautiful.  That heartwarming vibe also makes an appearance in the story, “The Todd & the Rodyssey” (by Mike W. Barr, Delaney, and Pepoy).  Ned Flanders is a featured character here, but his sons, Rod and Todd, are the stars of this story of escape and survival.  The last two panels of this fast-moving and delightful comic presses all my buttons of sentimentality.

The other stories are also pretty good, especially the Springfield Elementary “Junior Mafia” tale.  I got a kick out of “The Demon” (by Max Davison, Delaney, and Pepoy), because I generally like ghost story-themed tales told in a kids' comic books published by everyone from Archie Comics to whatever company is publishing comic books featuring Disney characters.

In some of my reviews of Simpsons Comics paperback collections, I have said that one does not have to be a fan of “The Simpsons” to like them.  This is the case with Bart Simpson Breaks Out, because this book is full of top-notch humor comics.  Bart Simpson Breaks Out is too funny to pass up.

9 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.

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Review: SIMPSONS COMICS COLOSSAL COMPENDIUM Volume 4

SIMPSONS COMICS COLOSSAL COMPENDIUM VOLUME 4
HARPERCOLLINS/Harper Design

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Tom Gammill & Henry Gammill; Brian Houlihan; Mary Trainor; Max Davison; Sergio Aragones; and others
PENCILS: Mike Kazaleh; John Delaney; James Lloyd; Tone Rodriguez; Kassandra Heller; Sergio Aragones; and others
INKS: Andrew Pepoy; Mike Kazaleh; Dan Davis; Sergio Aragones; and others
COLORS: Art Villanueva; Nathan Hamill; Kassandra Heller; and others
LETTERS: Karen Bates
COVER: Matt Groening
ISBN: 978-0-06-242326-9; paperback (July 5, 2016)
176pp, Color, $17.99 U.S., $21.99 CAN

“The Simpsons” is an American animated television sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company.  “The Simpsons” began in 1987 as a series of animated shorts that were part of the comedy variety television program, “The Tracey Ullman Show.”  The shorts were eventually developed into a half-hour animated TV series and began being broadcast on Fox in December of the 1989-90 television season.  “The Simpsons” continues to this day, and Fox has ordered new episodes into 2018.

“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, Bill Morrison, and Steve and Cindy Vance founded Bongo Comics Group (or simply Bongo Comics).  Over the course of more than two decades, 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; Itchy & Scratchy; Krusty the Clown, Duffman, McBain, and Mr. Burns and Smithers, to name a few.

Since 2013, Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins, has been publishing Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium.  This is a paperback graphic novel (or trade paperback) series which reprints select comic book stories starring characters from “The Simpsons” that were originally published by Bongo Comics.  Harper Design recently published Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 4 (July 2016).

It has been at least a decade since I last read a Simpsons comic book (although I have read one since I finished this book).  I always enjoyed them, so I don't know why I stopped.  Bongo Comics consistently delivers high-quality comic books that capture the spirit of “The Simpsons” television series.  I was intrigued when Harper Design sent me a copy of Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 4.

Right from the start, Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 4 delivers a bang with the story “Donut Disturb,” which follows Bart and Lisa's battle to win the “Donut Kid of the Year” contest.  This contest is put on by “Lard Lad,” the immensely popular donut chain, and this contest has plenty of wacky contestants.  However, the true fun and the best satirical moments come after the winner claims the crown, which hangs heavy on the head.

Mike Kazaleh, one of my all-time favorite cartoonists, draws the Chuck Jones-inspired “The Man of the House.”  The story makes me think that the true comedic potential of Ralph Wiggum really has not been tapped.  Also, “Sun Burns” shows Mr. Burns in all his grubby Rupert Murdoch-like glory, but the story also showcases the plucky side of the brainy Lisa Simpson.

Writer Sherri L. Smith and artist Kassandra Heller present a wonderful Lisa Simpson tale, entitled “Lisa's Lending Library.”  Heller's pastel like illustrations give this story a fairy tale-like aura.  MAD Magazine legend and Groo the Wanderer creator, Sergio Aragones, offers the delightful two-page “Maggie's Crib,” which shows the toddler's mischievous side.  The Judge Dredd parody, “Judge Redneck,” is an unexpected and clever treat.

You don't have to be a fan of “The Simpsons” to like Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium Volume 4, but if you like good humor comics, you need an occasional jolt of Simpsons comic books in your reading life.  The creators and editors behind Bongo Comics' Simpsons comics are as good at humorous parody and satire as any other humor comics creator – and better in most cases.  So that is what the Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium series is here to do – fill your comedy and humor comics needs.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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