Together, they auditioned a number of artists and brought the group together to get this off the ground. The responsibility to get them to market was given to Topps Art Director Art Speigelman, Supervisor Stan Hart, and the aforementioned Mark Newgarden.
This was used as the catalyst for the 1st series of cards produced. It was an initial sketch done by then creative consultant Mark Newgarden. The above is said to have been the 1st appearance of GPKs. It was part of an irreverent sense of humor that had been around nearly as long as the company itself.”
“Topps’s decision to satirize the Cabbage Patch Kids had precedent in Wacky Packages, the company’s line of cards dating back to the 1960s that spoofed consumer products. When that failed, one of the senior officers at Topps said, “Well, let’s parody them if they don’t give us the rights.” Len Brown (Creative Director, Topps (1959-2000): We actually tried to get the rights to do Cabbage Patch, which were very popular.
Topps had previously pursued a license with the Cabbage Patch folks. The idea to do a Cabbage Patch parody series originated directly with CEO Arthur Shorin. Well, let’s take a look at that shall we? The year was 1985 where Madonna’s Like A Virgin, and Chaka Khan’s I feel for you ruled the airwaves.Īlight, to start this it’s important to take a look at the company that created the craze – Topps. I look back and wonder what made these so special to so many? How were 800 million of these grossed out cards bought from kids like you and I all around the world? Bingo…There’s one! making the chase and sweat all worthwhile. Huffing and puffing I would eek out the words “A pack of Garbage Pail Kids please!” It was ripped open instantly while scanning for a new card I had not seen before.
All this was to reach the almighty ice cream truck! A best description would be to picture ants attacking a piece of fruit on the ground. Kids would be tearing down the streets from all angles not wanting to place last in line. My hope was I was one of the first to hear the music as other neighborhood dudes would be reacting in the same way. I mean we are talking Pavlov’s dog reaction on display.Īs the jingle grew louder and louder, I would run harder and harder towards it holding the little change I had in my short pocket from falling out. It was a reminder of that melodic chime that used to stop me in my tracks. I heard an all too familiar ring the other day. Greetings from the salt water of Del Mar, CA fellow CBSI members. John Pound, Primary Artist – Garbage Pail Kids I sent them 30 or 50 pages of ideas, including a nice one of a little kid barfing on a baby blanket.” “The idea was to be rude, crude, gross, rebellious, snotty, disgusting, all of these things.