VOICE FROM THE LONGBOX

In times like these I could really use a laugh. Strangely enough, for the thousands of comics that live in my house, very few are actually \"comical\". However, I can name dozens of comics that consistently made me laugh or smile. Marvel\'s parody books, like the Fred Hembeck one-shots or the What The?! series, reside in my collection with key John Byrne She Hulk issues, and the truly classic Not Brand Ecch. Pre-Crisis appearances by Bizarro and Mister Mxyzptlk were always a hoot.
But the group of titles that I immediately identify with truly funny superhero comics is the Justice League \"family\" when they were controlled by the wacky minds of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis. Whether in America or Europe, the JLAnything could bring a smile to the grumpiest, most jaded comic book fan. Things like facial expressions, Oreos, and running sarcasm made \"Bwa-ha-ha\" a household word.
An excellent example I recommend is Justice League Europe #6. The fledgling team is stationed in Paris, and decides to go to night school to learn French, and, hopefully, improve their public image. However, the truly pathetic Injustice League also happens to be attending the same class that same night. The outcome is not what you\'d expect from a hero/villain confrontation.
If that sounds too highbrow for you, I\'ll always recommend Milk & Cheese by Evan Dorkin. “The Dairy Products Gone Bad” give new meaning to the term \"Let\'s booze up and riot.\"
High marks also go out for the Bizarro Comics collection from DC Comics. It was just released in softcover, and features decidedly off-center tales by the likes of Bob Fingerman, Kyle Baker, James Kochalka, and others. It am very bad.
May your entire April be foolish.