Fortnite’s Recently Launched The Simpsons Season is Almost Perfect — But One Thing’s Missing
Fortnite’s recently launched The Simpsons season has been a hit with fans, offering a seamless experience after a somewhat bumpy takeoff on November 1. Initially, players faced issues logging in or queuing up, but once those hiccups were resolved, the game transitioned into smooth sailing. However, there’s still one missing ingredient that could make this season truly flawless: a Back Bling featuring The Simpsons creator Matt Groening’s iconic signature.
### The Importance of Matt Groening’s Signature
For decades, Matt Groening’s scrawled signature has been an integral part of The Simpsons’ cultural identity. From press images and key art to nearly every piece of marketing and merchandise, if you look closely—usually in the lower right-hand corner—you’ll find Groening’s distinctive autograph. It’s a subtle detail that has become synonymous with the show.
If you’re unfamiliar with what we’re referring to, the images below from the current Simpsons season showcase this signature’s presence. Groening’s signature isn’t exclusive to The Simpsons, either. It also appears on marketing materials for his other creations, including Netflix’s *Disenchantment* and *Futurama*, as well as many issues of his comic strip *Life in Hell*, which debuted in 1977.
### A Longstanding Inside Joke
Though Matt Groening hasn’t publicly elaborated on the significance of his signature, it’s been a running joke for fans — so much so that it inspired a memorable couch gag in Season 11 of The Simpsons. In this gag, the Simpson family gathers on their iconic couch, and Marge notices Groening’s signature in the corner of the shot. She frantically scrubs it away, only for an animated Matt Groening to appear and redraw it.
This meta-humor resonates with longtime fans because Groening’s signature has been a staple of the show for so long. In Fortnite, the Springfield map is teeming with similar nods and Easter eggs, from stepping on a rake à la Sideshow Bob to a depiction of Groening himself admiring the “banned for life” wall at the comic book store.
### So, Why Isn’t the Signature Included in Fortnite?
Given the abundance of Simpsons-themed content in Fortnite, it’s puzzling why Matt Groening’s signature hasn’t been turned into a Back Bling item yet. There are a few possible explanations:
– **The Idea Didn’t Occur to Anyone:** Sometimes, even the best ideas slip through the cracks during game development.
– **Groening Declined:** It’s possible Groening chose not to license his signature for the game, though it would be unusual to pass up that kind of deal.
– **Brand Control:** Perhaps Groening prefers not to have his name attached to properties or characters he wasn’t directly involved with, especially given Fortnite’s eclectic roster.
– **Aesthetic Considerations:** Groening’s signature is a flat, 2D image, which might look out of place as a Back Bling alongside Fortnite’s typically cel-shaded and dimensional items.
– **It’s Coming Soon:** Epic Games often releases content gradually, and there’s still plenty of key art and skins teased but unreleased from The Simpsons season, including Lisa, Moe, and Scratchy.
### Looking Ahead
While the Back Bling of Matt Groening’s signature hasn’t materialized yet, Fortnite’s Simpsons season is still young, with more content rolling out in the coming days and weeks. Fans should keep their fingers crossed — anything is possible. Imagine purchasing a digital rendering of Groening’s autograph to wear as a backpack on any skin you choose, whether it’s Jar Jar Binks or Zendaya in character as Chani from the *Dune* films. Stranger things have happened in the world of Fortnite.
For now, enjoy the rich array of Simpsons-themed content available, and stay tuned for what’s next!
https://www.polygon.com/fortnite-the-simpsons-back-bling-matt-groening/
