Seven Questions (more or less)

Who are you and what have you done for Bongo?

I'm James W. Bates. Since 1998 I've written for Bongo. I started with the comic strips for The Times of London and moved on to writing Bart Simpson and Simpsons Comics.

Who is your favorite Bongo character in general?

Who doesn't love Ralph Wiggum? Yes, his schtick has been overused by now, but there's a purity to his goofiness that you have to love.

Okay, now who is your favorite Bongo character to write?

I have found that I like writing Lisa. At first I pitched Lisa stories as a strategy to get a pitched approved because I doubted many other writers dared to move away from Homer and/or Bart. But, IMHO, Lisa is the emotional center of the family and writing her stories tend to give even a short comic more depth.

And what character, if any, always poses a problem for you?

Web critics occasionally say every character! Ouch. To answer the question, I don't love or feel comfortable writing Professor Frink. His voice doesn't appeal to or come naturally to me.

What inspires you in your Bongo endeavors?

Getting paid to write for some of the greatest, most beloved characters in the modern era? How cool is that?

If you ended up in Springfield on vacation, what would you want to visit?

I'd have to visit Springfield Gorge. In "Bart the Daredevil," the gag where Homer keeps bumping into the side of the gorge while being airlifted is still the funniest sequence ever in the long history of the show.

What’s your favorite comic book sound effect?

When I write in effects they often get edited out, so I can't say what's my favorite to write. I am partial to THWAP!

Do you have a favorite Bongo story?

"From Lichtenslava with Love" (Bart Simpson #11). Bart accidentally orders a mail order bride... Of the thirty-plus stories I've done for Bongo, that one is still my favorite.

What would you most like Marge to cook for your dinner tonight?

Pork Chops! It seems to be Homer's favorite meal, so you gotta have them.