The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror #22 review

At the risk of being redundant here, we love Simpsons Comics. Issue to issue it’s one of the go-to all age comics that you can get for ages 7 and up. Each year around Halloween they release The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror, a much thicker than average issue that brings in more scares, but with slapstick and over the top appeal. You’ve seen one of their Halloween episodes? It’s like that, but this is the comic book version.

The difference between the show and the comic book is that the comic book can kick up the oddities and weirdness, even with the regular issues. One of the standout stories in Treehouse of Horror #22 is The Ex Files. It starts in the lunch room where Nelson witnesses the lunch lady being eaten by a huge slice of meatloaf. He runs away to discover there is a secret group that fights the paranormal in the school called The A.V. Files. People are disappearing and they realize that there is an outbreak of giant sized food items coming to life and eating people. If only there was a character in the comic book that could eat and eat without getting full……(cue Homer…) now.

These Halloween issues are really funny. They’re arguably funnier for adults than children, just because they’ll understand more of the references. It is important to point out that the Treehouse of Horror issues do have some blood, killing and monsters in it. However, the instances of violence are so over the top that they’re unlikely to scare anybody over 9. Our 7 year old looked at our issue and wasn’t scared of it, but wasn’t interested in it either.

That’s due to the reading involved with the comic. His reading level is advanced for his age, but when it comes to comic books he prefers things that make him laugh or have a sense of adventure. The comic/horror angle that this issue brings is a little too much for him now because he doesn’t know the character’s personalities, or the things they’re sending up that well yet.

Age 9 and up will understand the Ghostbusters references in the first story. Adult readers will appreciate that the story brings back all of the characters that died in episodes of The Simpsons. Usually death, laughter and the deceased are things that can’t bring about a laugh. However, in the world of animation, especially with The Simpsons they make it work and make us all want to be more like Frank Grimes.

If you’re already onboard with Treehouse of Horror you’ll want to pick up Simpsons Illustrated #25 too. This issue has three stories, each with a different art style. The first is traditional, followed by one that’s inspired by HP Lovecraft and the third one is drawn in a manga style. This issue will appeal to older readers just because it’s much more creative and different than what the kids are used to.