Simpsons Comics Get Some Fancy Book Learnin'

I was a little skeptical about whether I would like this collection of Simpsons comics or not. I'm not really a fan of the episodes that take place during a different era. But I want to own all the Simpsons Comics there are, regardless of the book being a floppie or a trade. So I gave it a shot. Thankfully, these issues were more like a Treehouse of Horror, spoofing individual works of literature than that god awful episode from 2017 that took place entirely during medieval times. 

There's 5 issues that comprise this volume. Each focuses on a single subject. Hence why I was a little hesitant that I was going to like this one. Greek Myth, Fairy Tales and stories from The Bible are among the classics spoofed. Ian Boothby wrote every issue with artwork and colors being provided by a number of talents. Boothby did a fine job making cramming in numerous references and quick jokes like a standard episode of The Simpsons. And he managed to do it without getting too irritatingly repetitive. Every once in a while a joke from earlier in the issue would reappear. But Boothby used considerable restraint not going overboard with those gags. Too bad current Simpsons writers can't learn from this!

Surprisingly, the issue that I thought was the best was the one which dives into God's holy word. I was a bit on edge thinking it would be blasphemous. But Boothby did something brilliant that lessened some of the irreverence. He had Bart tell the stories! With the Sunday School teacher out sick, Bart retells the story of Noah's ark, Abraham and Isaac and The Prodigal Son to Rod and Todd with hilarious results. Bart getting details wrong isn't so much a criticism of the Bible; it's what kids actually do! It's why I love Little Lulu and Foxtrot so much. It reminds me of the mixed-up adolescents I teach on a daily basis. 

I really was pleasantly surprised by this one. There were several laughs to be had. Some great gags and a few biting commentaries. In a word, it was CLASSIC Simpsons humor and it was very much appreciated in a day where there's getting to be less and less to laugh about.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Wonder Woman Annual 1989 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

With exception of the cover, this 1989 annual features artwork, including inks and colors by an all-female crew. Cover artist George Perez also pens this extra-large sized feature that chronicles Princess Diana's Post-Crisis debut. 

When the princess of Thermyscira first arrived in the world of men, she didn't speak much English and knew even less of modern day ways and norms. So, Diana needed an intermediary in order to spread her message of peace and unity. Enter Myndi Mayer; a press agent who sees dollars signs in the arrival of the DC Universe's newest heroine. A progressive feminist, Mayer believed in Princess Diana's message. That didn't mean that there weren't marketing opportunities to be found around this Wonder Woman.

This story takes place after the shocking overdose death of Myndi Mayer. The PR agent's death means that end of a chapter in Wonder Woman's life. Diana has decided that the life of a celebrity is not for her. So Mayer's agency must pack up all of the artifacts and effects of the Wonder Woman campaign so that Diana can transport it back to Thermyscira for preservation. As the team goes through these mementos, they reminisce about the highs and lows of Princess Diana's first months in modern civilization. 

This annual was both a closing chapter for established Wonder Woman readers as well as a starting point for newer fans. Along with the death of Myndi, Diana had just finished a climatic battle with Circe as well as Ares. But as we know, Wonder Woman's beef with the god of war is never over. The War of the Gods epic crossover is still 2 years away. But in this new stage in Diana's life, more battles with the upper echelon of Greek gods and continued alliances with the superhero community are in Diana's near future.

Perhaps the most notable segment of this story is the origin behind the logo that Diana wears on her chest. Just like as with Superman's S-shield, the supposed W's on Diana's armor are misinterpreted as English letters.  Kal-El's S-Shield is the Kyrptonian symbol of hope. Diana's double-W's are in honor of a great warrior who helped the Amazons of Themyscira centuries ago: the insignia of Steve Trevor's mother!

Due to the death of Hermes' son Pan, a rift in the fabric of time and reality opens. This anomaly ushers Diana Trevor back in time to Themyscira. The time displaced pilot arrives on the tropical island in the middle of a catastrophic scene as the Amazons are attempting to prevent demons from the underworld coming topside. 

We learn that Diana Trevor sacrificed herself to aid a race of people she did not even know. The Amazons as a result, bury Trevor with full honors and use the Air Corps insignia of a double-W on Trevor's uniform and incorporate it as a totem of strength and courage, which Princess Diana proudly wears. But we also learn that Diana wasn't named after the goddess of Greek myth but instead after Diana Trevor. So that means Steve Trevor is in love with the woman named after his mother!

Featuring Ramona Fradon, Jan Duursema, Colleen Doran and Trina Robbins among others.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars. 

Completing this review completes Task #32 (A Wonder Woman Story) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

The Wild Piano: A Philemon Adventure (Family Comic Friday)

   Philemon is a young lad who discovers a secret world one day when he accidently falls into his family's well. In this fantastic world, Philemon learns that the letters on a map that spell out Atlantic are actually a series of hidden islands in the shape of each letter. In his first adventure, the young lad met the first outsider to discover the islands, but they got lost along the way back home. With the help of his uncle and his talking donkey, Philemon ventures back to the                A-T-L-A-N-T-I-C in order to save his friend but ends up having to fight for his life by battling a living breathing wild piano.

    Philemon is a popular French cartoon series that recently has been translated into English by the fantastic young adult publishing series Toon Graphics. Not only does the company introduce American readers to some of Europe's most popular comics and artists, but they include extensive learning guides and activities for aspiring cartoonists. It's both fun and educational without being too overt about it!

   Though many of the books reissued by Toon Graphics are aimed at kids, I've learned quite a bit over the past year about many European artists that I otherwise might have overlooked. This series was created by the late Frederic Othon Aristides (AKA Fred) in the early 70s. A French artist born into a Greek immigrant family, the book's ocean motif filled with surreal characters is a fusion of both Fred's heritage and birthplace.

   The back of this book likens the Philemon series to Alice in Wonderland meets Gulliver's Travels and Les Miserables. I can see that but when a co-worker asked me what this book was like, I responded that it was like Monty Python meets the Smurfs. I think both descriptions are accurate. With whimsical beasts, absurd officials, Victorian photography, and the wildest imagination this side of a school full of kindergartners, this book will challenge and delight.

    The Wild Piano is the second book in the series. 'Cast Away on the Letter A' is the first book but my library didn't have it, nor does this book say 'Volume 2' on it. However, you really don't need the book to be caught up with the action in the series thus far. But that doesn't mean you should skip it. I'm on the lookout for Cast Away and I hope to be able to travel with Philemon to all 8 islands of the  A-T-L-A-N-T-I-C.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Olympians Volume 7: Ares: Bringer of War (Family Comic Friday)

As a kid, I loved to study mythology in school. With characters like Zeus, Hercules, Thor, and Loki learning mythology was like getting to study comic books at school. Sure, people used to worship these guys (and gals) but there is no denying that these mythical characters are the archetypes for Superman, Captain America, and Wonder Woman.

    I enjoy the Norse gods more than the Greek/ Roman. I'm not sure why, though I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I like Marvel's Thor more than DC's Wonder Woman. Plus, there seems to be more sex in the Greek/ Roman myths as opposed to the mischief and battle heavy Norse tales.

    Well, it may not be Asgard...

  Bringer of War is the seventh book in George O'Connor's Olympians graphic novel series. Released in January of this year, this book also has the distinction of being the first 2015 publication I've read. The book wasn't really what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. Instead of being an overall recount of the god of war Ares' origin and his most famous exploits, this volume explores the Trojan War recounted in Homer's Iliad; most importantly the waning days of the decade-long battle.

   The gods have convened in Zeus' battle room. Overlooking the battle, the gods are divided into two camps- those pro-Trojan and those in support of the Greeks. Only Zeus is neutral and he's allowed the fates to determine the outcome. If the gods have anything to do with it, they will impact the war to achieve their own personal agendas.

   Though Ares plays an important part in the story- often possessing soldiers into a sort of blood lust on the battlefield- he's really a minor character. One such warrior Ares instigates is Achilles and to me, 'Bringer of War' is his story. The original Man of Steel (and my personal favorite characters in Greek myth), Achilles' weakness was his heel. I always hated the story of the fall of Troy as it's also the story of Achilles' death. However, I was unaware that his death was the result of his unheroic actions after he smights his fiercest foe.

    It is darn near impossible to recount Homer's account of the Trojan War in just 72 pages. Thankfully, this book is 80-pages long. Here, O'Connor includes some fact files on some of the major players in this story, discussion questions, suggested readings, and most importantly, a section of "G(r)eek Files"- an annotated account of this story that includes some vital backstory to the Iliad.

  The art of this series was just as awesome of the writing. At the end of this story, George O'Connor gives some important kudos to the superheroes of DC and Marvel. They inspired him to love mythology as much as I do. He really gives in to his admiration during a multi-page scene that has the gods of both factions battling each other in the ultimate battle-royale on Mount Olympus. It was like watching the best of DC duel it out with the titans of the Marvel Universe.

   'Bringer of War' was a very fun read and I deem it the best all-ages graphic novel of 2015. (Thus far...) I might one day explore some of the other volumes of this series. But like I mentioned earlier, I am more of a fan of the Norse gods. Maybe George O'Connor will craft a series based on them. Until then, I'll just have to enjoy the adventures of the lords of Asgard in the pages of Marvel's Thor comics.

   Worth Consuming.

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.