In 1993 Bongo Comics Group published its first issue of Itchy & Scratchy Comics (as well as Simpsons Comics, Bartman and Radioactive Man). [Note: Itchy & Scratchy Comics Holiday Hi-Jinx Special #1 is a different comic].
The first issue is a violent one, as one can reasonably assume from the cover and the title: Around The World In 80 Pieces. Following completion of another season of The Itchy And Scratchy Show, it’s time for a vacation but Scratchy is left wondering why he’s short of cash despite being part of a popular TV show.
Scratchy’s talent manager shows him the contract he signed:
Scratchy learns about a million dollar prize offered in a round-the-world race and decides to enter. Much to Scratchy’s annoyance, Itchy joins as a late entrant. The race is, of course, full of cartoon violence but Scratchy eventually crosses the finish line… Well, his decapitated head does. Thinking that he’s won the $1 million, he learns that official rules state “decapitated noggins do not count”.
In this issue Bongo kindly provides readers with a body part diagram of Itchy & Scratchy.
Bongo also informs us of Itchy & Scratchy’s Top 40 (similar to Bart Simpson’s Top Bottom 40 in Bartman #1), which includes unnatural disasters and bazookas.
Readers are also encouraged to exercise their imagination and artistic creativity onto Itchy & Scratch in an “Arms Race”. [Bongo ran a Homer Simpson art competition and announced winners in 1994].
Readers’ drawings were published in Itchy & Scratchy Comics #2.
