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Simpsons Comics: "Pardon My Clunker" (#164)

Our second purchase of the Simpsons comic we got back in 2009, having waited a month for this release!

Simpsons Comics is the gift that keeps on giving. Back when we purchased this issue at the now-defunct Borders Bookstore, we had to wait a month before their next issue was released, and that we did with this copy. This one involved cars, namely Homer's "old clunker" and the choice to drive an electric vehicle.

Starting the scene at a Krusty Burger drive-thru, Homer's car broke down. Even though he was able to make it back home, Homer needed either to fix the car or get a new one. However, Lisa informed her dad that this is an opportunity to get a vehicle that's environment friendly. Unsure, Homer had a "harrowing" dream that night in relation, and we thought it was the funniest moment in this comic.

Wanting a new car but being talked into getting an electric vehicle—EV—Homer was able to land one, after shopping back and forth. This was all in spite of getting a vehicle regardless of his credit score, financial situation and being able to pay it off—the usual concerns you encounter when leasing or buying a car.

Then came the issue that many EV drivers struggle with: charging your vehicle and its battery life. While there's plenty of people on YouTube discussing this and criticizing such ordeal, let alone the need for EVs, Homer suffered that same notion. His patience dried out quickly and wanted his old car back not wanting to deal with the trouble of EVs. Funny enough, Homer's old car was sold to someone to be driven at some contest similar to Last Man Standing, but instead of men, the competition featured cars "fighting to the death."

One thing happened after another, and by golly, you guessed it: Homer won his old car back. Granted, yes, it's an old "lemon" but Homer went back home satisfied and relieved. What happened to the EV he had? He was able to trade it with the contestant who lost against him and converted the EV into a mobile theater. Very funny, but that's actually cool!

Another classic and hilarious issue from Bongo. The artwork and the script were good as always. We honestly don't have anything bad to say about this issue but fast forward to today, and it should be familiar to those wary of the push to go electric in terms of transportation. (On the other hand, the latest news is the removal of private car ownership but that's another topic.)

Homer quickly lost confidence in owning an electric vehicle, especially when charging it. We recall a video of a couple on a road trip and they shared a video on social media stating that they've been charging their vehicle for two (2) hours, only for the battery to only be 40% full. Another issue is that workers at recycling plants state that EV batteries are tougher to decompose making it worse for the environment. With that said, maybe Homer has a point? We're not sure, as there are EV drivers having no complaints, but yet, there's a reason gas-powered cars are still a staple. That itself is a topic still debated today. In other words, as funny as this issue is/was, it brings up a concern with how we'll move forward in terms of transportation. Then again, insurance companies have made it clear they refuse to insure EVs, so...

As for converting an EV into a mobile theater, we could see that happening. Here in California, they're converting shopping malls into apartments, and if that's possible, then we could see EVs being done to accommodate activities related to entertainment. In this case, turning the EV into a mobile home theater, or for others, something like a video game LAN party doesn't sound too bad of an idea. Whatever the case, if EVs don't fly off the shelves, or off the lots we should say, then we can see this conversion happening. Not sure when, but we're sure that top YouTube channels specializing in fixing or modifying vehicles will catch on to this. That brings the question: If the auto industry got rid of EVs due to massive surplus and sells them for $100 or less, what will you do with it? What use(s) will you have to do?

Highly recommended!

(Note: Because people get easily offended by everything nowadays, including hating who they see in the mirror, this issue does not slander EV owners whatsoever. I believe laughter, along with reading more books and comics, will eliminate more than half of the mental health epidemic going on today.)

CONTENT5/5

ARTWORK5/5

STORY5/5

COST5/5

PLUSES
  • Another funny issue.
  • Homer and his hilarious experience with electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Funniest moment in this comic? Homer's dream.
  • This was second comic we ever purchased back in 2009 at the Borders Bookstore in Northridge, California.
  • If EVs decline in popularity and usage, will consumers have a (re-)use for it? Maybe convert them into mobile home theaters?
MINUSES
  • None.
100% (A+)
Fan Rating
PROFILE
Comic Simpsons Comic
Issue #164: "Pardon My Clunker"
Company Bongo Comics Group / Bongo Entertainment, Inc.
ISBN / Bar Code number 0 71486 02851 2
Printed by World Color Press, Inc, Montreal, QC, Canada 3/06/10
Pages 32
Total Advertisements 10
Advertisements Simpsons Comics: Get Some Fancy Book Learnin', Bongo's Bart Simpson #53, Bongo's Simpsons Classics, The Simpsons action figures, Bongo's Futurama Comics, Bongo's The Simpsons: Summer Shindig, Bongo's Simpsons Comics #165, Bongo's Bart Simpson: Class Clown, Ad Council: "Get up and play. An hour a day.", Wondercon
Copyright SIMPSONS COMICS is published twelve times a year by Bongo Entertainment, Inc. P.O. Box 1963, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1963. Issue 164. ISSN# 1073-6395. ©2010 Bongo Entertainment, Inc. The Simpsons © & ™ Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Neither this comic nor any portion of it may be used or reproduced for any purpose whatsoever without the express written permission of Bongo Entertainment, Inc.
Quoted Reviews --
Other --
Credits
CHUCK DIXON
Script

PHIL ORTIZ
Pencil

MIKE DECARLO
Inks

ART VILLANUEVA
Colors

KAREN BATES
Letters
BILL MORRISON
Editor



Matt Groening
PUBLISHER

Jason Ho
ASST. ART DIRECTOR

Bill Morrison
CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Karen Bates
LETTERING/DESIGN

Terry Delegeane
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Art Villanueva
COLORS

Robert Zaugh
OPERATIONS

Mike Rote
STAFF ARTIST

Nathan Kane
ART DIRECTOR

Nathan Hamill
ART PRODUCTION

Serban Cristescu
SPECIAL PROJECTS

Ruth Waytz, Pete Benson
ADMINISTRATION

Christopher Ungar
PRODUCTION MANAGER

Max Davison
INTERN

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