Simpsons Comics, Volume 16: Beach Blanket Bongo

   Sideshow Bob's brother Cecil is released from prison on a technicality (Chief Wiggum forgot to process him!) and targets Lisa as his arch-enemy in order to gain some street cred. The Simpsons family win an all-expense paid trip to a garbage atoll in the Pacific, and an eccentric geek without an heir seeks out Springfield's King of the Nerds. Then when Krusty is accidently given a real doctorate, he finds himself the new family physician to the town. Lastly, take a trip through the Springfield Elementary hall of permanent records and learn the shocking origin of one of the town's most stalwart citizens.

   I've read a bunch of Simpsons Comics over the years. Why I don't just commit and collect this series forthright is beyond me... But these are great books to have on hand when you are feeling down and just need a chuckle or two or 300 and by far, this has got to be the best collection of that bunch!

   I loved the insanity of the Doctor Krusty story and a Sideshow Bob adventure is always fun. The garbage vacation story had great moments with Lenny and Carl. But it was the King of the Nerds and the elementary school stories that were the best of the bunch. They were filled with tons of inside jokes, pop culture references, and both were just plain fun. Plus, the story about the Hall of Permanent Records was framed like those old EC Comics horror titles that I love so much.

   Another thing that makes Simpsons Comics so great are the backup features in the back of each issue. They range from the secret files of Professor Frink to advertisements from some of your favorite Springfield stores (Springfield Tire Fire Fire Sale, anyone?) 

    The oddest thing about a Simpsons Comic is where I find them. I hardly ever find them at actual comic shops (other than the odd dollar bin discovery.) I might sometimes find one at a used bookstore, but I almost always find these at thrift stores! Talk about oddities...

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.