Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror (2000) 6

James Mahfood takes Hell-O-Ween into his own hands as he scripts, letters and draws the first story of 2000 in the first Treehouse of Horrors of the new millennium.

Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror (2000) 6

Bart’s “switcharoo” of mailboxes leads to Ned Flanders becoming the undisputed ruler of Hell. Mahfood pulls from every corner of nerdom for the tale.

Metamorphsimpsons is the comic book version of Ian McEwan’s The Cockroach. The protagonist dreams himself transformed into a giant bug. That’s where the similarities end as Homer finds himself loathed by family and friends.

Upon waking, Homer learns his dream is a nightmare.

Mary Shelly’s vision is sullied in Young Frinkenstein. Truer to the original than Mel Brook’s interpretation, the story strays toward the end with greed overcoming good.

From Duffs Till Dawn, as told by Groundskeeper Willie, is a story of a Chupacabra loose in Moe’s. It finally chooses the wrong victim in Barney.

Something new for millennium was Martin’s Folktales from Around the World. The cautionary Japanese story warns of avarice.

Maybe the most distinct aspect of the issue is the cover, a homage to Famous Monsters of Filmland. The horror ‘zine was the brainchild of Publisher James Warren and Editor Forrest J. Ackerman. The publication was on newsstands from 1958 to 1983.

The magazine was known for its campy, but loving articles of the horror industry. Covers featured the talent of Basil Gogos whose illustrations graced the covers of Famous Monsters through much of the 1960s and 1970s.