A Lost Piece of Simpsons History Is Making a Much-Needed Comeback

The Simpsons premiered at the end of 1989 and quickly became a phenomenon. The show gave rise to a merchandising juggernaut with Bart Simpson at the center. There were Simpsons plush dolls, Simpsons video games, Simpsons shampoo, and lots and lots of bootleg Simpsons t-shirts. By 1993, it was only natural that The Simpsons would get its own comic book and the print adventures of the Simpson family would last for 25 years, until Bongo Comics, Matt Groening’s publishing company, shut down in 2018.

But in addition to comic books, The Simpsons briefly had its own comic strip lasting from 1999 until 2004. Written and drawn by people working on the Simpsons comic book at Bongo, the comics debuted in 80 newspapers nationwide. Which means it’s quite possible you’ve read it or even heard of it.

The Simpsons comic strip remains a relatively obscure part of Simpsons history. But on Oct. 6, Abrams Books will be releasing the best of these comic strips in a hardcover collection called The Simpsons Comic Strip Cavalcade, which is currently up for preorder.

Abrams also supplied Polygon with an exclusive look, with six of the 126 comic strips that appear in the book. You can pre-order copy wherever you buy your books. In the meantime, behold these lost gems.