"The Book That Ate Springfield!"
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artists: Phil Oritz(p), Mike DeCarlo(i), Art Villanueva(c)
"The Secret Life of Bart Simpson"
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artists: James Lloyd(p), Andrew Pepoy(i), Art Villanueva(c)
"The Great Train Wreck"
Writer: Tony Digerolamo
Artists: Ryan Rivette(p), Mike Rote(i), Art Villanueva(c)
Publisher Bongo
The first story in Bart Simpson Comics sends up the Harry Potter phenomena. My only question is what took you so long? The reasonable facsimile book gets promoted on Krusty the Clown. This instills Bart a desire to buy the book, but the words prove to be too much for him.
In this first short, Peyer displays Bart's rebellious streak and his egotism. As more and more people start to read the book, Bart becomes less and less enchanted. Along the way Peyer punctuates the story with joke after joke. Bart's nature forces him to manipulate the townsfolk into banning the book, and that's when Peyer brings in the punch line for a satisfying finish.
Oritz, DeCarlo and Villanueva infuse the story with memorable Simpson moments. They include scenes of exuberance to accompany the lines "The Simpson's are going to a bookstore!" They animate Lisa's anger, and they delight in showing Bart's mischievous side amid his antics.
Peyer in the second story does a take off of the Chuck Jones cartoons featuring Ralph, a little boy with a vivid imagination. Through the lens of Simpson mythology, Peyer demonstrates Bart's imagination Thus, Bart daydreams that he's McBain and Radioactive Man.
James Lloyd and Andrew Pepoy have fun drawing Bart in these various familiar incarnations. They furthermore incorporate in these departures wild-takes, over-the-top dramatic shadows and well-timed slapstick comedy.
In the final story, Tony Digerolamo gets Bart, Milhous and Martin into trouble. Digerolamo makes one laugh out loud when Skinner gets into the act and the two enemies break down in an attempt to clear the conscience and comfort each other. The art by Ryan Rivette, Mike Rote and Villanueva beautifully highlight the emotional release all still contained in the Matt Groening style.
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