Simpsons Summer Shindig #7

Simpsons Summer Shindig #7 is a meaty issue running in at 42 pages. It comes with a heftier price tag, though: $4.99. I don’t normally buy Simpsons comics, but when John Jackson Miller pens one of the stories, I make an exception. This issue kicks off with his story “Railroaded” which sets the Simpson family up for a train ride on the Silver Flash (and I loved John’s reasoning for the name). As expected, John dishes out some humor everyone can enjoy. The artwork by Rex Lindsey (pencils), Hilary Barta (inks) and Art Villanueva (colors) looks great. It’s just as good as an episode of the show.

Next up is “The Battle of the Batboys” by Clay and Susan Griffith. The story pits Bart and Milhouse in a competition to be the next batboy for the Springfield Isotopes baseball team. There’s a couple laughs and the art is excellent. Phil Ortiz covers the pencils in this one with Hilary and Art once again doing the inks and colors.

After that is “Sun Burns” by Ian Boothby. It’s a beach story featuring Mr. Burns who has just purchased the public beach and closed it to the public. On top of that, he’s safeguarded it against anyone foolhardy enough to trespass on his new property. Alas, karma gets him and it’s up to Lisa and Grandpa to save Mr. Burns. The art work stays strong even with a new team at the helm: John Delaney (pencils), Andrew Pepoy (inks) and Nathan Hamill (colors).

Lastly is “Judge Dredneck” by Max Davison. Sadly it’s last and least. Of all four stories in this issue, it was the least funny. Plus I didn’t like the way it poked fun of rednecks. The stereotyping went just a little too far for my comfort. The story itself mixes together elements of Judge Dredd with Mad Max as Bart and Milhouse escape into the wastelands known as the redneck zone. Homer and Judge Dredneck go in for the rescue and face off against poor grammar, backwards looking redneck kids, gun toting rednecks and other stereotypes. Sometimes that kind of humor can work, but here it misses the funny mark. The art by Tone Rodriguez (pencils), Dan Davis (inks) and Art Villanueva (colors) is good, though.

All in all, I give this issue a four out of five metal bikinis. There’s some good laughs, great artwork and the majority of the stories were pretty entertainer. Anyone who is a fan of the Simpsons would certainly enjoy this comic.

Reviewed By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.