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Murder, He Wrote

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
Bongo logo 2012.png The contents of this article are based on an issue of Simpsons Comics or another comic series and is considered to be non-canon and may not have actually happened/existed.

The reason behind this decision is: Treehouse of Horror story.

Murder, He Wrote
Murder, He Wrote.png
Comic Story information
Released: September 2008
Comic series: The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror
Pages: 15
Written by: Ian Boothby


Murder, He Wrote is a The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror story first printed in The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror #14.

Synopsis[edit]

"Bart discovers a black notebook that kills anyone that gets their name written into it."


Plot[edit]

At school, Bart shows off a cool black notebook with a skull on the cover that he found to Milhouse. Jimbo sees the notebook and takes it from Bart as he thinks it matches his shirt. He then writes his own name in the book to claim it as his own whilst Bart complains to Principal Skinner. Shortly after, Jimbo has a freak accident on the monkey bars which leads to his death. Bart goes home and goes to write his own name in the book until he is interrupted by Krusty, who tells him not to. Bart is shocked that Krusty is there as he had died during a show but Krusty explains that he is a ghost and explains what the notebook does. Any name that is written in the notebook, that person dies. The author can write a cause of death too, or they can leave the cause blank and let the book decide.

Krusty explains how he found out about the book. A few years ago, he found the book and thought it would make a good little black book for his dates. However, the names of everybody he wrote in the book were never home, which he later found out was because they all died in strange ways. Krusty thought it was crazy that the book could be involved, but decided to stop using it anyway. However, one day, a fan wanted an autograph. Krusty ripped out a page from the notebook and signed it for Bart. Shortly after that, Krusty died on stage. Bart apologizes for killing Krusty, but Krusty just wants to know who Bart wants to kill next. Bart refuses to use the book anymore, but then sees on the news that Sideshow Bob is being released from prison and wants to kill Bart. Bart then writes Bob's name in the book along with a long, complicated method of death for him.

After Bob's death, Chief Wiggum appears on the news and says that it wasn't an accident because he has a source, by the name of "L", who says that it was murder. Bart wonders who "L" is, but decides that the book is too dangerous anyway and throws it away. Later, Marge finds the book in the trash and decides to rip out a page for her grocery list. Later, on the news, several more people had died, all of whose names matched the products Marge had bought at the store. Bart realizes that Marge had used the notebook unknowingly, as Ned Flanders then runs into the house on fire, wearing a dress, with a shark biting his butt. Homer reveals that this was kill Ned Flanders fan fiction that he had written in the notebook.

Chief Wiggum shows up at the house after the report of Ned Flanders' death had reached him. Wiggum tells the family that "L" is on the case as Bart becomes increasingly worried. Krusty tells Bart that he has to kill everyone who has seen him with the notebook. After mentioning the people who had seen him, Marge writes their names down on the back of her grocery list, planning to invite them to Bart's birthday party. This results in the deaths of Kearney, Dolph, Principal Skinner, and Milhouse. Bart then goes to check in on Lisa, who is getting updates on all the deaths. Lisa says that she thinks one person is behind the deaths, which leads Bart to suspect Lisa of being "L". Lisa then mentions going to send an email to the police. Krusty tells Bart to write Lisa's name in the book, but he refuses to kill his sister. Bart then admits that he was responsible for all the deaths, which surprises Lisa as she had no idea. Chief Wiggum then came into the room to arrest Bart, having not left the house. Lisa then reveals that she found a weird book that brings people back to life when their names are written in it.

Bart tries the life book with Krusty, who comes back to life. Ralph then turns up and reveals that he's "L". Chief Wiggum says that Ralph likes to help solve crimes, even if he's never correct. When Bart questions why Ralph goes by "L", Chief Wiggum says that Ralph isn't good at spelling. Chief Wiggum then says that since it's Bart's first offense, he'll let him off as long as he brings everyone back from the dead. Later, Bart has his birthday party with everyone who had died attending it, all alive again. However, Ned Flanders was found dead again by Marge as Homer had killed him once more. Marge tells Homer to make sure to bring Ned back, as Homer throws the life book into the bin.

Reprints[edit]

Comic issue Release date Country
Simpsons Comics #164 October 1, 2009 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png
The Best of The Simpsons #72 October 10, 2013 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus Vol. 2: Deadtime Stories for Boos & Ghouls August 1, 2023 Flag of the United States.png


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to Murder, He Wrote.