Bartman

Bartman began as a standalone comic book series published by Bongo Comics, with the first issue released in December 1993. The character was a superhero alter ego of Bart Simpson, originally introduced in the television series The Simpsons before transitioning to print. This series was part of the initial launch wave from Bongo Comics, a publishing house co founded by Matt Groening, Steve Vance, Cindy Vance, and Bill Morrison. The debut issue featured a silver foil cover, a common production trend during the early 1990s, and established a narrative tone that parodied established superhero tropes while remaining grounded in the established world of Springfield.

The series is historically notable for its crossover events and the involvement of prominent industry figures. A significant milestone occurred in the first issue with a story titled "The Origin of Bartman," which provided a formalized backstory for the persona. Throughout its run, the series featured artistic contributions and covers from various creators, including Steve Vance and Bill Morrison. It also participated in the "When Bongos Collide" crossover event in 1994, which saw Bartman interact with other Bongo properties such as Itchy and Scratchy. These issues were distinct for their use of "Bongo-Bonuses," which included supplemental items like posters and trading cards inserted into the physical copies.

The collectible interest in the 1993 Bartman series is tied to its status as a cornerstone of the early Bongo Comics catalog and its reflection of the 1990s comic book boom. It remains a significant piece of media history for being one of the first successful transitions of a television property into a dedicated comic book line that maintained a high level of creative autonomy. The series is culturally relevant for its satirical take on the superhero genre, specifically referencing the dark and gritty trends prevalent in the industry at that time. It continues to be studied by archivists as a primary example of character licensing and expansion within the independent publishing sector of the 1990s.