When I’m reading Simpsons Comics I always state that it’s much better then what the actual show is producing. It’s so much funnier in a lot of ways and it seems like the creative teams put more care into then actual writers. At least that’s what I thought before I flipped the current issue. Bongo comics have hit a high this year cause of their great little event that went across all of the Simpsons titles. Now that we’re a couple months out of that event, it’s safe to say that this title has gone ‘safe’ with it’s writing.

The plot is simple enough; Springfield has just been declared the ugliest city in America. To make matters worse, Patty and Selma are considered the standard of how ugly people are in the area. To prove that it’s all about personality, Marge decides to take it upon herself to be like her sisters. Of course it ends up them being proved right as Marge is having an awful day looking ‘ugly’.

Some of the jokes work really well here. Especially with Homer passing out the moment he sees Marge and her new look. Other things like people treating Marge badly was inspired (even cops look down on the ugly people) and the cheap shot at Tori Amos was the best bit of the issue. Sadly it’s mostly misses for me and it can be a bit of a chore to read. Maybe it’s because I am not a huge fan of Patty and Selma, usually don’t care for their episodes. (Except for the Troy McClure one….but that’s more of a Phil Hartman episode) Plus some of the characters are a bit off model on this particular issue. Why that is I have no idea.

I’ve enjoyed going back into the Simpsons Comics and they definitely entertained me in the summer. I hope, like the seasons nine threw twleve, that this was just a misstep and nothing more. Hopefully we’re not into the crap that is what Season twenty of the show was.