Press Release
Matt Groening, creator of “The Simpsons” and “Futurama” is launching a brand-new, quarterly comic book series, Simpsons One-Shot Wonders. The first offering, Ralph Wiggum Comics #1, will be released on February 29th in direct market comic book stores, and March 20th on newsstands and in bookstores. The issue distributed in comic shops features covers that show Ralph spouting three different and pleasingly perplexing phrases. Ralph also brings some additional unique utterances to both the newsstand and bookstore editions, for a total of five collectible covers.
Aided by artists and writers Sergio Aragonés (MAD Magazine, Groo the Wanderer), Mike Kazaleh (The Adventures of Captain Jack), Carol Lay (“Story Minute,” The Big Skinny), James Lloyd (The Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis), Jesse McCann (Scooby Doo), and Mary Trainor (The Simpsons Library of Wisdom), “Simpsons” fan favorite Ralph Wiggum takes center stage as he becomes a role model to a new kid in town, is left home alone, takes a day away from school, makes a costume, and goes missing.
“At signings and conventions, interest in Ralph is always off the charts. I’m happily amazed by the wide swatch of people who claim him as their most beloved ‘Simpsons’ character,” says Nathan Kane, Bongo Comics creative director, “not only is Ralph Wiggum an Everyman, he’s Everyman’s unintentionally hilarious, and unflappable younger brother.”
The new series Simpsons One-Shot Wonders will shine the spotlight on many of the secondary “Simpsons” characters that have grown in popularity over the past twenty-five years. Upcoming issues will feature Bart Simpson’s pal, Milhouse; the adventures of Li’l Homer Simpson; and an issue dedicated entirely to Maggie Simpson. Additional issues of Simpsons One-Shot Wonders will feature characters chosen by fan suggestions.
Bongo Comics Group, owned and operated by Matt Groening, has been publishing comics and trade books for 19 years. Titles include: Simpsons Comics, Bart Simpson, Simpsons Illustrated, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, Simpsons Super Spectacular, The Simpsons Summer Shindig, The Simpsons Winter Wingding, and Futurama Comics. Bongo Comics Group has won five Eisner Awards, the comic industry’s equivalent to the Oscar®, for Best Short Story, Best Title for a Younger Audience, and Best Humor Publication, and has been nominated for an additional 15 Eisner Awards.