Although the title of this book is "Barn Burner," there are no country/farm themed comics here. In fact, a golf-related title would be more appropriate as there are several golf references at the end of this book. So, if you are a fan of golf and the Simpsons, this comic book is for you! Overall, there are a lot of good ideas here, but some of them fall flat. The book gets better after the first three comics.
"How the Vest Was Won!": Bart is named "Lil' Squealer of the of the Week" on the show `Kids Commit the Darndest Crimes' and receives a bullet-proof vest that helps him avoid reprisals from the thugs on which he squealed (Nelson, Jimbo, etc.). This one had good possibilities but the ending was lame.
"A Swingin' Affair!": Swing is back and Marge wants to go dancing but Homer is too lazy (surprise). Marge goes with Flanders instead. Again, there were possiblites here but it is just an average six-page short.
"Mayor Me a Little": To overcome a morals scandal, Mayor Quimby appeases the religious constituents by banning beer on Sundays. To stop these "blue laws," Homer runs against him on the "Keg Party" ticket but soon gets caught up with the mob. This was good but, again, the ending was weak.
"Lisa's Historical Dream": 4-page short has Lisa dreaming that the Springfield folks are historical figures sent to change history by the "Past Master" (Mr. Burns). Burns wants to create Monty Land where everybody looks like him (in other words, everyone looks hideous) and thinks his thoughts (in other words, evil thoughts). The last box is very funny. This one has possibilities for a longer comic.
"Faking the Band": Homer puts together a boy band with Bart, Nelson, Roy (remember him from the episode "Itchy, and Scratchy, and Poochie" from Season 8?), Rod Flanders and Ralph as another get-rich-quick scheme. Ralph is supposed to have a great singing voice in this comic which I cannot even fathom (I wouldn't think he'd be able to keep paste out of his mouth long enough to sing a song). You might be surprised which of the "5 From `Field" changed the most from their brief flirtation with fame.
"The Man with Two Wives": Homer wins Smithers's service in a poker game and Marge feels she's in competition to tend to Homer's domestic needs. Smithers even moves in his Malibu Stacy collection. Marge resents Smithers's "husband-usurping." Meanwhile, Bart becomes Mr. Burns's new assistant and introduces paint ball to the nuclear power plant. Any comic with Smithers is guaranteed to be hilarious.
"My Sister, My Sidekick": Bart is Stretch-Dude and Lisa is Clobber Girl. Marge wants them to include Maggie, so Bart and Lisa take their baby sister to professor Frink (actually, his evil clone) to transfer some of their powers creating Bouncing Battle Baby. At first she was a real bummer, but can she be useful against a new nemesis, Snakeskin?
"The Paper Chase": Bart takes over Milhouse's paper route and tries creative ways to deliver the news, then learns he can control the news, then fabricates a giant attacking moth, then Prof. Frink shows up with an anti-moth robot that runs amok, etc. Yes, this 22-page comic goes all over the place. It's good though, with a very funny ending.
"The Bogey Man": Mr. Burns plans on building his dream golf course over the Springfield Natural Preserve, but finds something he has in common with his chief adversary, Lisa.
"If Homer Simpson Invented Golf": A funny short (water traps replaced with beer traps).
