Today is the first day of the Baltimore Comic-Con, the greatest comic-con on earth IMO! I'll be in attendance at least one if not both of the days. No real agenda this year as I've already sold most of my high-end books that I can bear to part with and don't have the cash for original art or commissions. Still, I expect this cruddy economy to bring out some really good SALES on back issues and HCs. It's always fun to chat with creators too. Anyway, what better way to celebrate than with a review of the comic that spoofs us, the comic book fans!
The first issue of this five-part mini-series was entertaining, but also seemed a little lacking. However, this issue makes up for it and was HILARIOUS!!!Comic Book Guy is “dead” and Reverend Lovejoy is conducting the funeral in front of the Simpson family and one million Internet viewers via a web cam. The guest eulogizer is non-other than Stan “The Man” Lee, who comes out of the shadows after Lovejoy reads the three-hour introduction that Stan wrote about himself. The actual eulogy is pretty short and sweet, but it’s a perfect parody of Stan’s style. My favorite part was the “flying cars” gag. Apparently, Stan was just trying to save time to get to talk about his upcoming projects. Lisa performs a Sax solo that she wrote herself; the nerds and geeks on-line decode it: “I have perfect pitch, and the notes that keep repeating are D, A, B, D, and A. ‘Gasp!’ The five stages of grief!” I love Bart’s graveside remarks too.
The next part deals with Comic Book Guy’s video will where all the key players in town are assembled to see it. The prize is ownership of the Androids Dungeon. However, CBG first takes the opportunity to show off some of his make out sessions much to Principal Skinner’s dismay. The person who catches the Radioactive Man action figure gets the ownership and everybody clamors for it like bride-wannabes during the bouquet toss. It’s ends up landing in Marge’s hair.
Once Marge takes ownership she removes all the violent comic books and action figures, the “occulty” role-playing games, and even the baseball cards, because of the rampant steroid use. She renames the store “The Androids Playroom” decorating it in lots of pink. The only comics she carries are the ones with “Little” in the title. All the real comic fans leave in disgust, which is everyone except Nelson, who likes Marge’s motherly discipline. The comic fans go on-line to a comic message board site (where they are trying to see if they should illegally download comics now) when something unexpected happens…
“I’ve made several posts, and no one’s made any mean sarcastic remarks. I’m actually having full, interesting conversations!”
“It couldn’t be that most, if not all, of the snark online was Comic Book Guy posting under different names, could it?”
“And, now that he’s gone, the Internet is at peace. An online utopia!”
This has immense consequences, which strike fear in the heart of the President of the U.S.A (Simpson version). An aide explains, “The Internet has lost its snark. It was the only thing stopping people from having an actual open exchange of ideas and beliefs!” So, the Prez shuts down the Internet, forcing people to come out of their homes and wander aimlessly around like deer in the forest, since they don’t know what to do now. (The social commentary is great here).
Lisa encourages them to talk to each other in person, but it quickly turns into a fight between Millhouse and another kid with glasses over the ending of Spider-Man 3! Another fight starts over the use of “geeks” or “nerds” to describe the comic fans, pitting friend against friend resulting in a civil war! Mayor Quimby gets the bad news.
“Look out your window, Mr. Mayor, but brace yourself for the worst!”
“Don’t tell me they have begun wearing homemade outfits…?”
“Yes, Sir, I’m afraid Cosplay is involved!”
I wasn’t even familiar of the word “cosplay” when I read Lee’s comment in the DC preview post the other week, but I learned the definition from this comic. See. Comics really are educational.
Grade A: It’s great stuff and I really have high hopes for the rest of this series, which should make for an excellent trade someday.
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