Comics Review: Bart Simpson #96

Spoilers Below:

Today I picked up the latest release by Bongo, Bart Simpson #96, from my local Midtown Comics (shout-out to the downtown Fulton Street location) and forked over three of my hard-earned dollars. Was it worth it?

“Bedroom Battle”

This issue had two story segments, with the first being about Bart & Lisa trying to win a radio contest for a bedroom makeover. They both picked up a house phone at the same time, and thus simultaneously became the lucky 157th caller. They then spent the rest of the story competing with each other to become the true winner, before realizing that they never stayed on the line after calling, and the prize was instead given to Rod and Todd Flanders. Stupid Flanders.

I have to say, Michael Saikan nailed it with the writing on this one. It was penned in true Simpsons fashion, with the familiar snarkiness from both Bart and Lisa, while reflecting their unique, established personalities. It easily could pass as the script for a televised episode, as a B-story at the very least.

Although a bit predictable (what do you expect?) the plot was amusing and full of laughs. Most of the best bits came from this story, and I found myself chuckling out loud on the train ride home. I also appreciated that not all the jokes were spoon-fed to the reader, and allowed for a bit of subtly. There were some good sight gags too, like Hermione appearing on the imaginary “Great Wall of Women.”

“Leapin’ Lisa”

By contrast, this story sucked. In fact, by itself it also sucked. Okay, maybe I’m being a bit harsh. It wasn’t terrible (I’ve read much worse) but it was quite boring and felt oddly un-Simpsons-like.

In it, Lisa attempted to conquer her lack of assertiveness, and signed up for a course that would help her. It ended up being skydiving, and Bart went along for the ride. In the end, sister needed to step up to save brother, while also improving herself.

Weird, right? And unrealistic as well. I mean, I know this is a cartoon about little yellow people going on crazy adventures and interacting with scores of famous people, but it needs to at least be grounded a tiny bit in reality. For instance, why the hell would Marge let Lisa go skydiving? She may be highly intelligent, but she’s also eight years old. And Marge insisted Bart go along too? Come on. She should know it was dangerous! And it was, since Bart’s chute didn’t open. You know what? I don’t even think she researched or checked out this Coach Kaput or his class ahead of time.

But I digress.

Aside from the un-believability of the story, it had the potential to work, but just wasn’t funny. It was kind of cute, had some heart, and a good moral, but it came off extremely flat and boring. I personally hoped for something more unexpected or extreme. I mean, skydiving is intense, but some kind of twist or additional plot element could have helped here.

Best Bits:

1) Jerry Rude & the Bathroom Bunch (from season 10’s “Monty Can’t Buy Me Love”) got a mention!

2) Bart unknowingly describing a lot of people nowadays: “My TV-addled brain demands constant novelty and meaningless change.”

3) “Shouting first is one of the foundations of modern American society!”

4) Nelson, after punching Milhouse: “That’s for proving democracy doesn’t work.”

5) Rod & Todd wisdom: “Dreams are just sins waiting to happen.””

6) SPUH-LAT! SHOVE! POIT! VROOOWWMM! GRAB! FLOOP!

So the question may be: “Was it worth paying the price of the comic for one strong story and one weak one?” I’d say so. The first was quite enjoyable, and the second wasn’t awful either. It just could have been much better and much funnier. In the end, it balanced out to a pretty solid showing.

Oh, and as is usually the case with Bongo, the artwork was attractive and colorful. High-fives all around.