Comics Review: Simpsons Comics #237

We need a hero.

Spoilers Below

“Bartmangirl”

There’s just one story in this month’s issue, and naturally, it follows the adventures of Springfield’s resident caped “do-gooder.” After uncovering a particularly damning piece of evidence, Sherri and Terri are all set to expose Bartman’s secret identity in the Daily Fourth Gradian. To throw them off the scent, Bart has Lisa pose as Bartman while he is in his citizen’s clothes. That is all he has asked her to do, but she catches the superhero bug. She takes over his job completely, and the town actually loves for her it, because she does not leave a mess behind the way behind Bart always has. He, of course, resents this development, so he concocts a scheme to knock he out of commission. Has he gotten in over his head, or will a last-minute ruse save the day?

With over 600 episodes, it is natural to wonder if we need any more Simpsons. When it comes to Simpsons Comics, that concern is doubled. The TV show is repeating itself several times over, so the comic must also be repeating the show AND itself. What I’m saying is: what is the point of Simpsons Comics? It ought to offer something that the show does not, at least not regularly. And that’s where Bartman comes in. The funny pages are the native habitat of superheroes, so devoting a good portion of the ink to Tales of Bartman makes sense.

I would be happy if every issue of Simpsons Comics henceforth were about Bartman, and accordingly, I am happy with this issue. Beyond the tights and fights, it has several chuckle worthy gags and character moments. We are off to a good start when Snake and Bartman struggle to schedule a date for the criminal to get his revenge. Then there are the silly newspaper headlines, a resolute visual joke that never gets his old. And finally, I will never complain about Bart and Lisa genuinely working together as brother and sister.