Simpsons Comics # 172
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: John Constanza
Inker: Phyllis Novin
Colorist: Art Villanueva
Letterer: Karen Bates
Released November 2010
Rating: 10/10
For this week’s installment, I’ll take a look at Simpsons Comics # 172, which in turn brings to a close my weekly Christmas reviews and what better to go out with a bang but with a funny Simpsons holiday story. Plus, I’m making good on my word to give everyone a non-superhero Christmas story so here it is.
Mike W. Barr (Of “Detective Comics” and “Batman & The Outsiders” fame) comes aboard to give a wacky (And I use that term loosely when it comes to The Simpsons) as Homer, being overwhelmed by the onslaught and commercialism of Christmas decides to take the whole family to the old Simpsons Farm where they find a bunch of newly grown Christmas trees, which in turn gives Homer the idea to sell them for a fat profit (While dubbing himself “The King of Christmas”) and here is where the story brings in that familiar plot element used by all of the Simpsons writers where Homer has an idea and things spiral out of control in a most hilarious way; Meanwhile, conservative Springfield resident Birch Barlow who’s the head of a corporation called “Christmascorp” plans to shut down Homer’s operation and what’s so funny is that is the kind of thing that happens every episode so it’s great to see Barr implement that into his story.
You’ll definitely get a kick out of the “muscle” that Homer hires to help him (It’s Moe and Groundskeeper Willie who deliver some of the issue’s most funniest bits with their love and hate routine) and I really love how Homer confronted Barlow (Not giving away the ending, sorry!) but I do have to give Mike W. Barr some major props for this story as not only did he give us a Simpsons story full of zaniness and hilarity but really brought the sprit of Christmas to the forefront and this issue of Simpsons Comics really does make for an excellent Christmas story; From Lisa’a disdain for Homer cashing in on the holiday season to the flat-out absurdity of using Moe and Groundskeeper Willie as hired muscle, this is a Simpsons holiday story that delivers on laughs and makes for a great Christmas story.
I’ll be back next week to review a New Year’s Eve story, so thanks for sticking around and I will see you all next time. Happy Holidays!
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