How many people who watch Fox's long-running animated series, "The Simpsons," have ever read Bongo Comics numerous comic book adaptations of the program. Bongo apparently does enough business overseas and through America's newsstands and supermarkets to stay afloat, but they don't rest on the TV program's laurels, as they continually produce quality funny books.

Having recently encountered Simpsons Comics #84 at a nearby supermarket, I decided to try my first Bongo since a Treehouse of Horror a few years ago. It's good stuff, very funny and witty, not great, but worth the money. Bongo may never be counted among the publishers of great humor comics, but considering that they're adapting the intellectual property of an international media conglomerate, the creative staff is having some fun when they could play it safe. At least, they're surpassing the quality of Archie Comics.

The art is what Simpsons fans expect - the artists do everything to make sure the Simpsons look like the Simpsons. The writing is what has to take Bongo books to the level above mere adaptation. In this issue, Homer Simpson (because of a prank by some old people) becomes principal of Springfield Elementary School. "The Principal of the Thing" is pleasantly and surprisingly funny and definitely captures the spirit of the show. And in an industry where product frequently lags behind hype, that IS a good thing. Grade B