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{{Short description|Defunct American comic book publisher}}
{{Infobox publisher
{{Infobox publisher
| image = [[File:Bongo comics 2012logo.png|200px]]
| image = [[File:Bongo comics 2012logo.png|200px]]
| parent =
| parent =
⚫
| status = Defunct (2018)
| founded = {{start date|1993}}
| founded = {{start date|1993}}
⚫
| defunct = 2018
| founder = [[Matt Groening]], Steve Vance, Cindy Vance, [[Bill Morrison (comics)|Bill Morrison]]
| founder = [[Matt Groening]], Steve Vance, Cindy Vance, [[Bill Morrison (comics)|Bill Morrison]]
| successor =
| successor =
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}}
}}


'''Bongo Comics Group''' was a [[comic book]] publishing company founded in 1993 by [[Matt Groening]] along with Steve & Cindy Vance and [[Bill Morrison (comics)|Bill Morrison]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Legend of Bongo Comics|url=http://www.bongocomics.com/legend-bongo|publisher=Bongo Comics|accessdate=25 June 2013}}</ref> It published comics related to the [[animated]] [[television series]] ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ''[[Futurama]]'', as well as the [[SpongeBob Comics|''SpongeBob SquarePants'' comic]]; along with original material. It was named after Bongo, a rabbit character in Groening's comic strip ''[[Life in Hell]]''.
'''Bongo Comics Group''' was a [[comic book]] publishing company founded in 1993 by [[Matt Groening]] along with Steve & Cindy Vance and [[Bill Morrison (comics)|Bill Morrison]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Legend of Bongo Comics|url=http://www.bongocomics.com/legend-bongo|publisher=Bongo Comics|access-date=25 June 2013}}</ref> It published comics related to the [[animated]] [[television series]] ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ''[[Futurama]]'', as well as the [[SpongeBob Comics|''SpongeBob SquarePants'' comics]], along with original material. The company was named after Bongo, a rabbit character in Groening's comic strip ''[[Life in Hell]]''.


Bongo has, at some time in its history, printed ''[[Simpsons Comics]]'', ''[[Simpsons Comics and Stories]]'', ''[[Futurama Comics]]'', ''[[Krusty Comics]]'', ''[[Lisa Comics]]'', ''[[Bart Simpson]]'', ''[[Bartman (comics)|Bartman]]'', ''[[Itchy & Scratchy Comics]]'' and ''[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man]]''.
Bongo, at some time in its history, printed ''[[Simpsons Comics]]'', ''[[Simpsons Comics and Stories]]'', ''[[Futurama Comics]]'', ''[[Krusty Comics]]'', ''[[Lisa Comics]]'', ''[[Bart Simpson]]'', ''[[Bartman (comics)|Bartman]]'', ''[[Itchy & Scratchy Comics]]'' and ''[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man]]''.


[[Zongo Comics]], also created by Groening, was Bongo Comics' counterpart geared towards niche audiences.
[[Zongo Comics]], also created by Groening, was Bongo Comics' counterpart geared towards mature audiences.


==History==
==History==
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[[File:Original bongo logo.png|thumb|left|The original Bongo Comics logo.]]
[[File:Original bongo logo.png|thumb|left|The original Bongo Comics logo.]]


Groening launched Bongo Comics Group in 1993, perceiving a lack of funny books in the comic book industry at the time: "I go into comic book stores and look at all the stuff, and, for the most part, it looks like fairly grim science-fiction and superhero stuff ... I guess I just thought there was room out there for funny comic books."<ref name=TN>{{cite news|last=Richmond|first=Ray|title=Groening Enjoying Being Eye Of Hurricane|newspaper=Times-News|date=27 November 1993|page=20}}</ref> The company launched four titles, the bi-monthly ''[[Simpsons Comics]]'' and ''[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man Vol. 1]]'', and the thrice-annually ''[[Itchy & Scratchy Comics]]'' and ''[[Bartman (comics)|Bartman]]''.<ref name=TN /> Groening hoped that the new company would revitalise the industry, and held discussions to publish cross-overs with characters from other publishing companies.<ref name=TN /> The comics use original story-lines rather than simply adapt episodes of the television series, although in 2011 editor Bill Morrison explained that the stories "fit in with the continuity of the shows."<ref>{{cite news|last=Laird|first=Jonathan|title=Writers and Artists of The Simpsons Sign Autographs|url=http://www.independent.com/news/2011/nov/06/writers-and-artists-em-simpsonsem-sign-autographs/|accessdate=12 September 2012|newspaper=Santa Barbara Independent|date=6 November 2011}}</ref>
Groening launched Bongo Comics Group in 1993, perceiving a lack of funny books in the comic book industry at the time: "I go into comic book stores and look at all the stuff, and, for the most part, it looks like fairly grim science-fiction and superhero stuff ... I guess I just thought there was room out there for funny comic books."<ref name=TN>{{cite news|last=Richmond|first=Ray|title=Groening Enjoying Being Eye Of Hurricane|newspaper=Times-News|date=27 November 1993|page=20}}</ref> The company launched four titles, the bi-monthly ''[[Simpsons Comics]]'' and ''[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man Vol. 1]]'', and the thrice-annually ''[[Itchy & Scratchy Comics]]'' and ''[[Bartman (comics)|Bartman]]''.<ref name=TN /> Groening hoped that the new company would revitalise the industry, and held discussions to publish cross-overs with characters from other publishing companies.<ref name=TN /> The comics use original story-lines rather than simply adapting episodes of the television series; however, in 2011 editor Bill Morrison explained that the stories "fit in with the continuity of the shows."<ref>{{cite news|last=Laird|first=Jonathan|title=Writers and Artists of The Simpsons Sign Autographs|url=https://www.independent.com/2011/11/06/writers-and-artists-simpsons-sign-autographs/|access-date=12 September 2012|newspaper=Santa Barbara Independent|date=6 November 2011}}</ref>


The company launched ''[[Futurama Comics]]'', based on the cartoon series of the same name in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Groening launches 'Futurama Comics'|newspaper=The Gazette|date=19 November 2000}}</ref>
The company launched ''[[Futurama Comics]]'', based on the cartoon series of the same name, in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Groening launches 'Futurama Comics'|newspaper=The Gazette|date=19 November 2000}}</ref>


2012 saw the company change their logo, and a new creative director was unveiled, with Nathan Kane promoted internally to replace the departing Bill Morrison.<ref>{{cite web |last=Armitage |first=Hugh |title=Bongo Comics unveils new logo, creative director |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/comics/news/a362618/bongo-comics-unveils-new-logo-creative-director.html |publisher=Digital Spy |accessdate=September 12, 2012 |date=January 28, 2012 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6AcWCk8OS?url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/comics/news/a362618/bongo-comics-unveils-new-logo-creative-director.html |archivedate=12 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>
2012 saw the company change their logo, and a new creative director was unveiled, with Nathan Kane promoted internally to replace the departing Bill Morrison.<ref>{{cite web |last=Armitage |first=Hugh |title=Bongo Comics unveils new logo, creative director |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/comics/news/a362618/bongo-comics-unveils-new-logo-creative-director.html |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=September 12, 2012 |date=January 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305201434/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/comics/news/a362618/bongo-comics-unveils-new-logo-creative-director.html |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


It was announced at San Diego Comic Con in July 2018 that all publishing would cease in October 2018. Simpsons Comics #245 was the final issue released by Bongo.<ref>{{cite news|last=Boothby|first=Ian|title=Just announced in San Diego|url=https://twitter.com/IanBoothby/status/1021860190012882944|accessdate=25 July 2018|website=Twitter|date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
It was announced at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in July 2018 that Bongo would be shutting down in October. ''Simpsons Comics'' #245 was the final issue released by Bongo.<ref>{{cite news|last=Boothby|first=Ian|title=Just announced in San Diego|url=https://twitter.com/IanBoothby/status/1021860190012882944|access-date=25 July 2018|website=Twitter|date=25 July 2018}}</ref>


==All series==
==All series==
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Simpsons Comics]]'' (1993–2018) 245 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Simpsons Comics]]'' (1993–2018) 245 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Bartman]]'' (1993–1995) 6 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Bartman]]'' v1 (1993–1995) 6 Issues
*''Bartman'' v2 (2017) 3 issues (cover titled ''Bartman: Spectacularly Super Secret Saga'')
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Itchy & Scratchy Comics]]'' (1993–1994) 4 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Itchy & Scratchy Comics]]'' (1993–1994) 4 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Radioactive Man Vol. 1]]'' (1993–1994) 6 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Radioactive Man Vol. 1]]'' (1993–1994) 6 Issues
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*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror]]'' (1995–2017) 23 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror]]'' (1995–2017) 23 Issues
*''[[Roswell, Little Green Man]]'' (1996–1999) 6 Issues
*''[[Roswell, Little Green Man]]'' (1996–1999) 6 Issues
*''Hopster's Tracks'' (1998) 2 Issues
*''Hopster's Tracks'' (1998-2000) 2 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Bart Simpson]]'' (2000–2016) 100 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Bart Simpson]]'' (2000–2016) 100 Issues
*''[[Futurama Comics]]'' (2000–2017) 83 Issues
*''[[Futurama Comics]]'' (2000–2017) 83 Issues
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*''Futurama Simpsons Infinitely Secret Crossover Crisis'' (2002–2003) 2 Issues
*''Futurama Simpsons Infinitely Secret Crossover Crisis'' (2002–2003) 2 Issues
*''The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis II'' (2005) 2 Issues
*''The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis II'' (2005) 2 Issues
*''Heroes Anonymous'' (2003–2004) 6 Issues
*''Heroes Anonymous'' (2003–2006) 6 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Simpsons Classics]]'' (2004–2011) 30 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Simpsons Classics]]'' (2004–2011) 30 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Simpsons Super Spectacular]]'' (2005–2012) 16 Issues
*''[[List of The Simpsons comics|Simpsons Super Spectacular]]'' (2005–2012) 16 Issues
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*''[[Sergio Aragonés]] Funnies'' (2011–2014) 12 Issues
*''[[Sergio Aragonés]] Funnies'' (2011–2014) 12 Issues
*''Simpsons Illustrated'' (2012–2017) 28 Issues
*''Simpsons Illustrated'' (2012–2017) 28 Issues
*''Simpsons One-Shot Wonders'' (2012–2014) 8 Issues
*''Simpsons One-Shot Wonders'' (2012–2018) 18 Issues
*''[[Mylo Xyloto (comics)|Mylo Xyloto]]'' (2012) 6 Issues
*''[[Mylo Xyloto (comics)|Mylo Xyloto]]'' (2012) 6 Issues


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*''[[Lisa Comics]]'' (April 1995)
*''[[Lisa Comics]]'' (April 1995)
*''Bart Simpson's Joke Book'' (June 1995)
*''Bart Simpson's Joke Book'' (June 1995)
*''[[Futurama Comics #1]]'' (July 2000) A 2000 San Diego Comic-Con variant of ''Futurama Comics #1''.
*''[[Futurama Comics#1]]'' (July 2000) A 2000 San Diego Comic-Con variant of ''Futurama Comics #1''.
*Free Comic Book Day: Gimme! Gimme! Giveaway! (2005)
*Free Comic Book Day: Gimme! Gimme! Giveaway! (2005)
*''[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man]] #711'' (July 2007) Promotional comic available only at [[7-Eleven]].
*''[[Radioactive Man (Simpsons)|Radioactive Man]] #711'' (July 2007) Promotional comic available only at [[7-Eleven]].
*''[[Futurama]] Returns'' (July 2007) A 2007 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
* San Diego Comic-Con exclusives:
**''[[Futurama]] Returns'' (July 2007)
*''Delivery-Boy Man'' (July 2010) A 2010 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
**''Delivery-Boy Man'' (July 2010)
*''[[The Simpsons]] Best Superhero Stories Ever! The Collector's Edition'' (July 2011) A San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
**''[[The Simpsons]] Best Superhero Stories Ever! The Collector's Edition'' (July 2011)
*''[[Ralph Wiggum]] Comics'' (February 2012) First issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
**''The Simpsons Go for the Gold'' (July 2012)
⚫
*''Bart Simpson's Pal, [[Milhouse]]'' (April 2012) Second issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
**''Two One-Shot Wonders in One'' (July 2013): contains ''The Malevolent Mr. Burns'' and ''Professor Frink's Fantastic Science Fictions''.
⚫
*''The Simpsons Go for the Gold (July 2012)'' A San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
⚫
**''The Greatest Bartman Stories Ever Told!'' (July 2014): contains an assortment of previously published Bartman stories.
⚫
*''Li'l Homer Comics'' (August 2012) Third issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
*''[[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]'' (October 2012) Fourth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
* One-Shot Wonder series:
*''[[Professor Frink]]'s Fantastic Science Fictions'' (February 2013) Fifth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
*#''[[Ralph Wiggum]] Comics'' (February 2012)
⚫
*#''Bart Simpson's Pal, [[Milhouse]]'' (April 2012)
⚫
*''The Malevolent [[Mr. Burns]]'' (June 2013) Sixth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''Li'l Homer Comics'' (August 2012)
⚫
*''Two One-Shot Wonders in One'' (July 2013) A 2013 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive. It contains ''The Malevolent Mr. Burns'' and ''Professor Frink's Fantastic Science Fictions''.
*#''[[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]'' (October 2012)
⚫
*''The Wonderful World of [[Lisa Simpson]]'' (December 2013) Seventh issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
*#''[[Professor Frink]]'s Fantastic Science Fictions'' (February 2013)
⚫
*''[[Duffman]] Adventures'' (April 2014) Eighth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''The Malevolent [[Mr. Burns]]'' (June 2013)
⚫
*''The Greatest Bartman Stories Ever Told!'' (July 2014) A 2014 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive containing an assortment of previously published Bartman stories.
⚫
*#''The Wonderful World of [[Lisa Simpson]]'' (December 2013)
⚫
*''[[Kang & Kodos]]'' (August 2014) Ninth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''[[Duffman]] Adventures'' (April 2014)
*''McBain'' (December 2014) Tenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''[[Kang & Kodos]]'' (August 2014)
⚫
*''Jimbo Jones'' (September 2015) Eleventh issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
*#''McBain'' (December 2014)
⚫
*''[[Grampa Simpson|Grampa Simpson's Adventure]]'' (December 2015) Twelfth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''Jimbo Jones'' (September 2015)
⚫
*''[[Krusty the Clown]]'' (April 2017) Thirteenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series. First released digitally through the Simpsons Store app. A print version was released in February 2018.
⚫
*#''[[Grampa Simpson|Grampa Simpson's Adventure]]'' (December 2015)
⚫
*''[[Moe Szyslak|The Mighty Moe Szyslak]]'' (June 2017) Fourteenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''[[Krusty the Clown]]'' (April 2017) First released digitally through the Simpsons Store app. A print version was released in February 2018.
*''Bartman Spectacularly Super Secret Saga #1'' (August 2017) Fifteenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''[[Moe Szyslak|The Mighty Moe Szyslak]]'' (June 2017)
*''Bartman Spectacularly Super Secret Saga #2'' (October 2017) Sixteenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*#''[[Chief Wiggum|Chief Wiggum's Felonious Funnies]]'' (March 2018)
*''Bartman Spectacularly Super Secret Saga #3'' (December 2017) Seventeenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.
⚫
*''[[Chief Wiggum|Chief Wiggum's Felonious Funnies]]'' (March 2018) Eighteenth issue of the One-Shot Wonder series.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 22:09, 14 December 2024

Bongo Comics
Founded1993 (1993)
FounderMatt Groening, Steve Vance, Cindy Vance, Bill Morrison
Defunct2018
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationSanta Monica, California
DistributionUnited States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa
Key peopleNathan Kane, creative director
Matt Groening, publisher
Publication typesComics
Fiction genresComedy
Official websitewww.bongocomics.com

Bongo Comics Group was a comic book publishing company founded in 1993 by Matt Groening along with Steve & Cindy Vance and Bill Morrison.[1] It published comics related to the animated television series The Simpsons and Futurama, as well as the SpongeBob SquarePants comics, along with original material. The company was named after Bongo, a rabbit character in Groening's comic strip Life in Hell.

Bongo, at some time in its history, printed Simpsons Comics, Simpsons Comics and Stories, Futurama Comics, Krusty Comics, Lisa Comics, Bart Simpson, Bartman, Itchy & Scratchy Comics and Radioactive Man.

Zongo Comics, also created by Groening, was Bongo Comics' counterpart geared towards mature audiences.

History

[edit]
The original Bongo Comics logo.

Groening launched Bongo Comics Group in 1993, perceiving a lack of funny books in the comic book industry at the time: "I go into comic book stores and look at all the stuff, and, for the most part, it looks like fairly grim science-fiction and superhero stuff ... I guess I just thought there was room out there for funny comic books."[2] The company launched four titles, the bi-monthly Simpsons Comics and Radioactive Man Vol. 1, and the thrice-annually Itchy & Scratchy Comics and Bartman.[2] Groening hoped that the new company would revitalise the industry, and held discussions to publish cross-overs with characters from other publishing companies.[2] The comics use original story-lines rather than simply adapting episodes of the television series; however, in 2011 editor Bill Morrison explained that the stories "fit in with the continuity of the shows."[3]

The company launched Futurama Comics, based on the cartoon series of the same name, in 2000.[4]

2012 saw the company change their logo, and a new creative director was unveiled, with Nathan Kane promoted internally to replace the departing Bill Morrison.[5]

It was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2018 that Bongo would be shutting down in October. Simpsons Comics #245 was the final issue released by Bongo.[6]

All series

[edit]

Single issue publications

[edit]
  • Bongo Comics Group Spectacular (1993)
  • Simpsons Comics and Stories (1993)
  • The Official History of Bongo Comics (Fall 1993)
  • Bartman and Radioactive Man #1 (1994)
  • Lisa Comics (April 1995)
  • Bart Simpson's Joke Book (June 1995)
  • Futurama Comics#1 (July 2000) A 2000 San Diego Comic-Con variant of Futurama Comics #1.
  • Free Comic Book Day: Gimme! Gimme! Giveaway! (2005)
  • Radioactive Man #711 (July 2007) Promotional comic available only at 7-Eleven.
  • San Diego Comic-Con exclusives:
    • Futurama Returns (July 2007)
    • Delivery-Boy Man (July 2010)
    • The Simpsons Best Superhero Stories Ever! The Collector's Edition (July 2011)
    • The Simpsons Go for the Gold (July 2012)
    • Two One-Shot Wonders in One (July 2013): contains The Malevolent Mr. Burns and Professor Frink's Fantastic Science Fictions.
    • The Greatest Bartman Stories Ever Told! (July 2014): contains an assortment of previously published Bartman stories.
  • One-Shot Wonder series:
    1. Ralph Wiggum Comics (February 2012)
    2. Bart Simpson's Pal, Milhouse (April 2012)
    3. Li'l Homer Comics (August 2012)
    4. Maggie (October 2012)
    5. Professor Frink's Fantastic Science Fictions (February 2013)
    6. The Malevolent Mr. Burns (June 2013)
    7. The Wonderful World of Lisa Simpson (December 2013)
    8. Duffman Adventures (April 2014)
    9. Kang & Kodos (August 2014)
    10. McBain (December 2014)
    11. Jimbo Jones (September 2015)
    12. Grampa Simpson's Adventure (December 2015)
    13. Krusty the Clown (April 2017) First released digitally through the Simpsons Store app. A print version was released in February 2018.
    14. The Mighty Moe Szyslak (June 2017)
    15. Chief Wiggum's Felonious Funnies (March 2018)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Legend of Bongo Comics". Bongo Comics. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Richmond, Ray (27 November 1993). "Groening Enjoying Being Eye Of Hurricane". Times-News. p. 20.
  3. ^ Laird, Jonathan (6 November 2011). "Writers and Artists of The Simpsons Sign Autographs". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  4. ^ "Groening launches 'Futurama Comics'". The Gazette. 19 November 2000.
  5. ^ Armitage, Hugh (January 28, 2012). "Bongo Comics unveils new logo, creative director". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  6. ^ Boothby, Ian (25 July 2018). "Just announced in San Diego". Twitter. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
[edit]
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