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The Absent-Minded Protester

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The Absent-Minded Protester
The Absent-Minded Protester.png
Comic Story information
Released: June 1998
Comic series: Simpsons Comics
Pages: 21
Written by: Doug Tuber
Tim Maile
Steve Luchsinger


The Absent-Minded Protester is a Simpsons Comics story first printed in Simpsons Comics #37.

Synopsis[edit]

In order to get attention, Grampa starts graffiting Springfield under the name El Grampo.

Plot[edit]

During Veteran's Day, Grampa tells his family stories of when he was ignored after the war but they also ignore him. He decides he wants to start being noticed, and demands the Kwik-E-Mart begin stocking Westphal's Auxiliator. When Apu shows him how the internet has replaced traditional customer demand methods, Grampa realizes he needs to find a new way to get his message out. After being spray-painted by Jimbo, Grampa starts wearing a disguise and spray-paints messages throughout Springfield, signing them "El Grampo". The graffiti appears on the news so Bart decides to investigate who is behind the vandalism, while Chief Wiggum orders Homer to clean up the paint as punishment for parking violations.

Bart catches Grampa in action and they decide to pair up as El Grampo and El Barto. They learn on the news that the police are determined to apprehend El Grampo. Grampa wants to give up, but Bart encourages him to commit a final act of vandalism. The two of them perform their last deed by attaching themselves to the Duff Blimp during a racing track event, spray-painting another demand for Westphal's Auxiliator. The police shoot at them, causing the blimp to catch fire and crash on the Retirement Castle. Grampa is arrested, but when Bart points out that he just wanted attention, the other seniors claim responsibility, also wanting to be noticed. The police decide to shoot them all, but Grampa later reveals to his family that because of all the paperwork that would need filling out, Chief Wiggum instead made the seniors do a gladiator-style battle for the El Grampo title, which Grampa won. However, he is ignored by everyone except Bart who gives him a present of a newly stocked Westphal's Auxiliator.

Reprints[edit]

Comic issue Release date Country
Simpsons Comics #41 May 18, 2000 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png
Simpsons Comics Unchained March 19, 2002 Flag of the United States.png
The Best of The Simpsons #19 April 28, 2005 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png
Simpsons Classics #19 Winter 2009 Flag of the United States.png
Simpsons Comics #58 January 26, 2023 800px-Flag of the United Kingdom.svg.png


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