Bartman Comics was one of the four 'premiere' series by Bongo. It was the second series to hit the shelves, in November 1993. While the Bartman series itself lasted only six issues, it was highly acclaimed and because of that we have seen many smaller Bartman stories in Simpsons Comics, Bart Simpson Comics, and Simpsons Super Spectacular. The main writers and artists for the first three issues were Steve Vance, Jan Strnad and Bill Morrison, two of which were behind the creation of Bongo Comics itself. In late 1994, Steve Vance and his wife Cindy left Bongo. There was a large amount of time between Bartman #3 and #4. In May 1995, a huge NINE months since the last issue, #4 was finally released and was revealed to be the introduction of a three-issue story arc by Gary Glasberg. With issue #6, the conclusion of this story, Bartman Comics went out of print.
BARTMAN #1 Released: November 1993 Also available in: Bartman: The Best of the Best!
The Comic Cover Caper! Script: Steve Vance Pencils: Phil Ortiz Inks: Tim Bavington Colors: Cindy Vance
Bart is upset that he has to attend summer school. He becomes even more depressed when he has to write a term paper. Later, he and Milhouse become fascinated by the huge amount of variant cover comics that are appearing at the Android's Dungeon. A field trip to the Springfield paper company later that week leads Bart to discover that Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney are stealing the rare comics and selling them to Comic Book Guy. Disguised as Bartman, Bart arrives at the paper company later that night to catch the three bullies committing their crime once again. Bart saves the comic books, before completing his term paper.
BARTMAN #2 Released: April 1994 Also available in: Bartman: The Best of the Best!
Where Stalks The Penalizer Script: Jan Strnad Pencils: Steve Vance Inks: Tim Bavington, Bill Morrison Colors: Cindy Vance
Bart, and the rest of Springfield, is shocked to learn that a citizen has been punishing near-innocent people for various crimes. Bart dons the cape and cowl and becomes Bartman once more, when he searches Springfield for 'the Penalizer'. He soon discovers that the Penalizer uses a hypno-coin to punish his victims. Preparing an ambush inside the abandoned donut store, Bartman defeats the Penalizer, unmasked as Principal Skinner, before using the hypno-coin to erase all of Skinner's 'Penalizer' memories.
BARTMAN #3 Released: August 1994 Also available in: Bartman: The Best of the Best!
The Final Collision Script: Jan Strnad Pencils: Steve Vance Inks: Bill Morrison Colors: Cindy Vance
Carried on from Simpsons Comics #5... After discovering a UFO in Flanders' backyard, Bartman is imprisoned by Kang and Kodos. Using his limited knowledge of physics, Bartman escapes from the space ship, and succeeds in materializing Radioactive Man into the real world. Together, Radioactive Man and Bartman attempt to overpower the many hundreds of superheroes that now cover Springfield. Proving hopeless, the duo instead decide to use one of Kang and Kodos' many on-board devices from the spaceship to turn back time and undo the damage of the powerful nuclear explosion.
BARTMAN #4 Released: May 1995
Bartman Script: Gary Glasberg Pencils: Chris Clements Inks: Tim Bavington Colors: Electric Crayon Letters: Starkings/Comicraft
After a routine night of crime-fighting, Bartman is shocked to learn that he has apparently committed a misdemeanor on a youngster after hearing a news report by Kent Brockman. All of Springfield agrees that Bartman should be thrown out of town. Bart decides that he should give up his alter ego so that he doesn't get in anymore trouble. However, Milhouse has a hard time adjusting to the fact that his sidekick is no more. Instead, he wears Bart's costume and tells an angry Bartman-hating mob that he is in fact Bartman. While running away from the mob, Milhouse is suddenly kidnapped by a mysterious group, who plan to take him to their leader, Canker.
BARTMAN #5 Released: June 1995
Bartman Script: Gary Glasberg Pencils: Jim Masara Inks: Tim Bavington Colors: Electric Crayon Letters: Starkings/Comicraft
Discovering that Milhouse has been kidnapped, Bart believes that he has no choice but to become Bartman again and rescue his friend. However, he falls from his treehouse (while in his costume), and breaks his leg. Lisa hears Bartman moaning in the backyard, and is excited that she is able to unmask him. Her attitude changes when she discovers that the superhero is in fact her brother. While Bart recovers, Lisa and Maggie decide to replace him temporarily, and become Lisa the Conjurer and Mageena. Lisa and Maggie find Milhouse. Unfortunately, they too are captured by Canker and his mysterious gang, and their lives are soon in peril. Bart realizes his sisters have not yet returned home. Knowing they are in danger, he once again dons his costume and goes in search of them.
BARTMAN #6 Released: July 1995
Bartman Script: Gary Glasberg Pencils: Luis Escobar, Tim Bavington, Chris Clements Inks: Tim Bavington Colors: Electric Crayon, Nathan Kane Letters: Starkings/Comicraft
Before finding his sisters, Bartman decides to pay a visit to Kent Brockman, and make him pay for ruining his good name. However, Brockman is prepared for Bartman's arrival, and soon attempts to unmask him on live television. However, members of Canker's group arrive and allow Bartman to escape. Meanwhile, Lisa and Maggie trick Canker into thinking they have been killed, to buy some time before Bartman (assumedly) arrives. When Bartman does show up, it is found that Canker is really a droid version of Mr. Burns. It is later discovered that the droids were being controlled by Lenny. The tale ends with Patty and Selma attempting to sell "Bartdog" (Santa's Little Helper in a purple cape) to Kent Brockman.
BARTMAN COMICS
