Comics Review: Simpsons Illustrated #7

Spoilers Below

Ned the Simpson

Ned and Homer swap houses as part of a reality show, but each contestant leaves a whole bunch of things behind for the other to use at their leisure. This includes Homer and Ned’s outfits, friends, even jobs. Problem is, Ned’s not liking all of the negativity that comes with dressing up as Homer and Ned is so good two shoes that Mr. Burns fires him from the plant! Thankfully, half-way through the two switch back to their disguises and go on as their normal selves.

Lisa Goes to Camp

Lisa gets sent to a camp by the reality show producer where she becomes a witness to the rise of Sean Bont and Gold Star. Pretty much its a riff on Goldfinger until everyone’s parents come to pick the kids up.

The Uter Bomber

Bart uses Uter as help for his water balloon catapult, but Lisa convinces him that he is using math for fun and he quits.

Dial ‘M’ for Milhouse

Houseboy and Bartman are at it again and this time Houseboy gets a hold of a phone that allows him to switch different superpowers on the dime! Doing this causes him to think he doesn’t need his friend Bart anymore to which Bartman convinces him otherwise. The cell battery dies, and Milhouse changes back.

Our Take

So, in essence, we get two competing compilations this month with the Simpsons Comics Compendium coming out. Unfortunately, the Illustrateds seem a little dated when compared to other specials due to the fact that we don’t get any really cool extras. Not saying the strips themselves aren’t funny as I thought Dial M and Ned/Lisa were rather hysterical, but overall I’m a bit spoiled by some of the extras that the other issues give out and sometimes for the same if not lower price!  In any case, this is a decent issue, but if you are looking for extras then Compendium may be better or any of the recently released one-shots.