 Simpsons Comics
#1
Posted on March 19, 2007 |
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The
very first Simpsons Comics issue! How exciting! Is it cliché to develop and write a story about 'colossal' monsters terrorising the city or the world? Yes, it is. However, when you add Homer Simpson into the picture, it becomes more of a comedy then a platitude comic book cash-in. This is a fairly straight-forward comic story which really doesn't take any risks in it's twists and turns (if there are any) and really fails to bring any originality to the plate. Considering this to be the 'first' issue, it didn't exactly break new grounds. However, the cover art is pretty good I must admit. Pretty much over exaggerates the storyline but still does a good job of standing out even if it's a rip-off of Fantastic Four #1 comic cover. The story goes something like -- Mr. Burns develops a rejuvenator ray to restore his youth and increase his strength (no real surprise there, he did block out the sun once, why not do something for personal gain?). However, in order to see if the ray is successful at what it's planned to do, Homer is used as a test subject to carry it out. Although, it causes a different effect. Homer grows great in size and is left for the town to think of a way to stop him from his rather clumsy rampage. (Similar to the movie 'Honey, I Blew Up the Kid'). I do have to mention on the second page, I couldn't help notice a sexual reference involving Bart, Homer & Marge. The way Bart is kneeing in front of Homer and what Marge had to say. The scene is obviously created to cause a stir for people who can pick it out, adds to the comedy. The storyline does stay true to The Simpsons in general. It would of been a whole lot better if it had a few twists that could have made the story more interesting then a linear swirl. It's very amusing. Kent Brockman's news interviews are quit funny. So, it doesn't fail to deliver the laughs where it's used. Presentation on the other hand is standard but does hurt the comic slightly. Writing inside the speech bubbles a lot of the time is tightly fitted. Some actually go out of the speech bubble line, for example on page 6, the 'A' in 'AN' is half out. Surprisingly, little ads are present and when they are, it's always Simpsons related. Other then that, it scores well in this section. Being the very first issue, the drawings, colours and graphics are done at a high level. Characters are all drawn well, environments are clear and colours used suit the style, not too bright not too dark. Still areas of improvement in some characters facials and backgrounds which seem hasty done, although, it's overall good.  This comic also contains a second story (only 5 pages long) called "The Collector". A story where it follows Homer in his obsessive ways to protect his comics and Bart narrating. It's a style bringing a mockery of old style horror comics with the extremes of how far individuals go to care for their comics. Great cover art, good presentation -- it's drawn well, but the story becomes tedious. The storyline does have the tendency to bore the average reader, but Simpsons Fans eat your heart out! It's a well developed premiere for The Simpsons stand to the comic world, but for me, a first issue should grab the reader in absolute attention, this issue doesn't. Don't get me wrong, it's a good comic to read, although don't expect something too far out of the ordinary.
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Cover Art
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