This Season 6 Simpsons Joke Has Gotten Funnier With Inflation, Seriously

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A joke from Season 6 of The Simpsons about Krusty the Clown destroying a valuable DC Comics item is surprisingly even funnier today than when it first aired 31 years ago. Let’s take a look at what made this scene so great originally, and why it resonates even more now, especially considering inflation.

The Simpsons episode “Homie the Clown” originally aired on February 12, 1995, and looking back, one of its funniest moments happens near the beginning. While Krusty the Clown’s accountant is begging him to stop spending money, Krusty dramatically pulls out a first edition copy of DC’s Action Comics, sets it on fire, and uses it as a makeshift lighter for his cigarette.

The joke about Action Comics #1 was funny in the mid-90s because that comic was already valuable. Over the last 30 years, the comic has become even rarer and more expensive, which makes the Simpsons bit even funnier now, considering how much the comic is worth.

The Simpsons’ “Burning Action Comics #1” Gag Has Gotten Funnier The More Expensive The Comic Gets

In 2026, The Historic DC Comic Is Worth Millions

There are thought to be fewer than 100 copies of Action Comics #1 remaining worldwide. This comic is incredibly important historically – Action Comics is still being published today, and the first issue introduced the world to Superman. It first appeared on sale in April 1938, and nearly a century later, it frequently shares the title of “most expensive comic” with Superman #1, which came out a year later.

To put things in perspective, when “Homie the Clown” first aired in 1995, the very first issue of Action Comics and Superman were only a few years away from celebrating their 60th anniversary. Now, almost 90 years have passed, and the value of these comics in perfect condition has dramatically increased. Krusty destroying an Action Comics #1 in the 90s was meant to be a humorous depiction of carelessly throwing away hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The loss feels even greater today considering recent sales. Just a few months ago, in January 2026, a copy of Action Comics #1 sold for a remarkable $15 million. This is a significant increase from 2025, when Superman #10 fetched a record-breaking $10 million at auction.

Krusty Burning “Action Comics #1” Is A Perfect Simpsons Joke, No Notes

The Iconic Cartoon’s Humor At Its Best

The joke about Krusty burning a copy of Action Comics #1, like many great Simpsons moments, has multiple layers. It’s funny on the surface to see something valuable destroyed, but it becomes even funnier when you consider just how valuable it is. It also cleverly reveals information about the characters and situation, doing a better job of it than any of the dialogue in the ‘Homie the Clown’ episode.

The episode really emphasizes how terrible Krusty is at managing his money, and the scene with the burning Action Comics #1 perfectly illustrates this. It’s a joke that feels like it will still be funny years from now. While The Simpsons is famous for seemingly predicting the future, this particular moment in “Homie the Clown” feels like genuine foresight. Krusty destroying his comic actually increases the value of everyone else’s copies by making them rarer.

This is a classic, hilarious moment from The Simpsons at its finest. The show’s greatest jokes perfectly blend clever wit with silly humor, and the Action Comics #1 gag from the “Homie the Clown” episode exemplifies this perfectly. The joke has only become funnier over the past 30+ years, making it a prime example of what makes The Simpsons so great.

Hey Simpsons fans, can you think of any jokes from the show that still hold up even better than this one?

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2026-04-13 17:49