Bart Simpson Bust-Up comics review

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Bart Simpson Bust-Up comics review
By Leroy Douresseaux
April 3, 2018 - 15:27

HarperCollins
Writer(s): Various
Artist(s): Various
Penciller(s): Various
Inker(s): Various
Colourist(s): Various
Letterer(s): Karen Bates
Cover Artist(s): Matt Groening
ISBN: 978-0-06-269255-9
$16.99 U.S., $21.00 CAN, 128pp, Color, paperback

Bart Simpson Bust-Up cover image

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.”

THE LOWDOWN: 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.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of “The Simpsons” and of excellent humor comics will want Bart Simpson Bust-Up.

A+
9.5 out of 10

Rating: 9.5/10