Comics Review: The Simpsons Illustrated #20

The Duffman Cometh

Homer gets the new Duffman gig because of the other guy’s retirement, but Surly really wanted the job. Because of this, Surly goes nuts trying to make Homer look bad, but no matter what, nothing works. Surly ends up getting so worked up that he gets involved in an accident that causes him to slip into a coma for about a month. When he wakes up, he finds out that the old Duffman is back, and Homer doesn’t have the job anymore. Surly’s previous job of being a beer bottle mascot has also been turned over to Moe.

Lisa Simpson’s Beelieve it or Not

Lisa tries to tell us all about bees, but gets punished by her parents.

Bartzan

A Simpsons take on Tarzan with Bart playing the titular character.

The Case of the Hanging Shoes

Lisa discovers that Martin Prince was trying to frame Nelson into detention in the case of Prince’s shoes being thrown onto the power lines. Lisa solves the mystery, but somehow Bart gets in trouble, too.

Our Take

Simpsons Illustrated strikes again with a rather eclectic mix of strips that at the very least should keep you entertained no matter what kind of mood you are in. Bartzan is the one that sticks out as it features two parts, and I gotta be honest, the producers of this stuck more to the dramatic feel of Tarzan to which I wasn’t a huge fan of. Everything else was great, but I know I’ve seen other Illustrated editions that have a bit more variety. Still a worthy buy for the hardcore Simpsons fan.