The
NPD Department would create the revised artwork and card type, but the Art Department
was in charge of the overall design and would produce the composition of the front
side and card backs as well as the promotional material and packaging. Composition
images were generated to help guide the final card type design and artwork placement.
The mock-up for the ‘FILE’ cards, reminiscient of G.I. Joe character file
cards, contain two main sections. The first section containing the character’s
name plus ALIAS, current ADDRESS
and their PERMANENT RECORD. The second section
contained their FAVORITES that each included
the topics of FOOD, SONG
(or ALBUM), BOOK
(or MAGAZINE), MOVIE
(seen on comp as ‘MOVIES’), T.V. SHOW and
QUOTE. The NPD Department
would give feedback at a later stage and eventually give the final ‘okay’.

The
file card image depicts the PERMANENT RECORD
for bullet point number two: ‘03/10/84 – Blew out his birthday candles – 15
were hospitalized‘; for the most part. Pound’s original card character for
OS2 GPK cards 70a Bad Breath SETH and 70b Foul PHIL is sitting within a post-apocalyptic,
catastrophic environmental devastation-like setting, while Bunk’s rendered artwork
shows the character receiving a birthday cake via mechanical arms and hands standing
within an air-tight sealed, iron prison; a toxic exhale of breath anticipated.
The controller individual is seen with a different style of gas mask. The SONG
“Every Breath You Take” was released in 1983 by the rock band The Police
and the T.V. SHOW “Too Close For Comfort”
first aired in 1980 on ABC. The MAG category
may be a parody of “Us Magazine” first printed in 1977.

The
original tight color rough shows the character with a solid blue long-sleeve t-shirt
opposed to a solid white shirt from the original material, but is changed to a
blue and white-striped shirt for the final artwork. The controller’s hair becomes
blond and the clamp-like hands become more thumb and hand-like in appearance.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points. Pound’s original card character for OS3 cards 106a
Fowl RAOUL (misspelled ‘ROUL’ on card) and 106b MACK Quack is standing there cursing,
cussing and swearing up a storm like a sailor, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows
the character being served on a platter. Per the original tight color rough, the
piece was titled ‘FRIENDS TOOK HIM FOR DINNER‘ with ‘DUCK
A L’ORANGE!‘ marked off to the side; also called Canard à l’Orange,
a classic French dish in which a duck is roasted and served with a bigarade sauce.
For the FOOD category, the dish has been
changed to ‘PEOPLE A L’ORANGE‘. The color rough shows the
parody character with a solid blue sailor suit which is much too close to the
actual Donald Duck outfit. The SONG category
pays tribute to the 1978 satirical tune by Rick Dees and the T.V.
SHOW categoryn pays tribute to the 1979 space opera “Buck Rogers (in
the 25th Century)”. Another Donald Duck reference can be found within the
ADDRESS line seen as ‘HUEY
BLVD.‘ that pays tribute to one of his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie Duck.

The
file card image depicts the PERMANENT RECORD
for bullet point number two: ‘08/21/82 – Rented himself out as punching bag
to local gym‘. Pound’s original card character for OS3 cards 102a Mugged MARCUS
and 102b Kayo’d CODY (mislabeled as OS3 89a Hurt CURT on card) has his arms out
in a bust profile, very busted-up and beaten to a pulp, while Bunk’s rendered
artwork shows the character being hung upside down and used as a human punching
bag. Per the original tight color rough, the viewer is able to see the complete
arm and shoulder of the boxer; the boxing glove becomes more of an orange color,
and the blue boxing shorts become red for the final artwork image. The SONG
category pays tribute to the 1971 tune performed by Lori Lieberman, later covered
by Roberta Flack in 1973.

The
file card image depicts the PERMANENT RECORD
for bullet point number two: ‘10/23/84 – Caused a run on local Blood Bank during
“happy hour”‘. Pound’s original card character for OS1 cards 1a
Nasty NICK and 1b Evil EDDIE is post-bloodletting of a Barbie-doll standing
under a crescent moon and single bat, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the
character sucking blood from its victim through a straw outside of a blood bank
center under a full moon and three bats. The SONG
title is a parody of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” lyrics first
published in 1862. Of course, the FOOD category
is really a tomato juice-based beverage and not a solid food product. The T.V.
SHOW category font color should be all red. The ‘hemoglobin’ within the
street ADDRESS is the protein molecule in
red blood cells.

The original tight concept shows the character attacking his victim on the countertop
of a bar during ‘HAPPY HOUR‘ when alcholic beverages are
notoriously cheaper, usually lower shelf product. Although a booze bottle has
been added to the color concept, it was replaced by two bones for the final artwork.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points, but plays up the FOOD
category and ‘à la mode‘ which means ‘whatever’ on ice cream. Bunk’s
original card character for Garbage Pail Kids OS3 cards 122a Broad MAUDE and 122b
Large MARGE is sitting and eating any dessert within reach, treatin’ herself,
while his rendered artwork shows the character chasing after a cow, mid-cattle
call. The MAG category is a name parody
of the old Timely Comics publication “Junior Miss”. The T.V.
SHOW category is an older cooking show that started airing in 1968, hence,
the reruns.

The original
tight color rough shows the character in a blue dress and (somehow) sprinting
after her breathing rare steak … and a diet cola (per the QUOTE);
a regular cola can is seen within her original card image. The final artwork has
the character in a pink dress, rather than purple, and the cow has the dark patch
missing from its eye, teeth and hanging tongue added to the mouth area, along
with a nervous sweat and bandages added to its face and elbow area, respectively.
The farmhouse backdrop changes, moving the barn closer to the silo and adds a
windmill.

The
file card image depicts the PERMANENT RECORD
for bullet point number one: ‘9/12/81 – Bit the hand that fed him, buried it
in the yard‘. Pound’s original card character for OS2 cards 74a MARK Bard
and 74b Kennel KENNY (misspelled as ‘Kennel KENNEY’ on card) is innocently sitting
there scratching flees from his fur with a dog-bone in his mouth, while Bunk’s
rendered artwork shows the character holding his owner’s severed arm in his hands
and mouth. Per the original color rough, the character is looking back at his
master who’s shouting up a storm and the severed arm has been reversed for the
final artwork. The red water bowl appears in both final artwork pieces. The FOOD
category product pays tribute to the Alpo brand ‘LIV-A SNAPS’ dog treats, now
known as Variety Snaps. The SONG category
pays tribute to the novelty tune “(How Much is) that Doggie in the Window?”
written in 1952 by Bob Merrill. I believe the ‘SPADE ME’ portion of the ADDRESS
should read ‘Spay Me’.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points, but could represent all three to a certain extent;
although none mention putting an entire audience to sleep. Jeon’s original card
character for OS3 cards 117a ROCKY N. Roll (with a -N’- typo) and 117b LES Vegas,
based off of a tight pencil by artist John Pound, is standing there with guitar
at his side singing, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character actually
strumming the guitar with knees buckled. Per the original color rough, the character
also has the guitar hanging limply at his side like the original artwork with
emphasis on his protruding belly. The FOOD
category is a nice mash-up of ham roll sandwiches and rock ‘n’ roll music. The
SONG category pays tribute to the tune “My
Way” performed by Frank Sinatra in 1969 and covered by Elvis Presley in 1973.
The word ‘TINSELTOWN‘ within the ADDRESS
means Hollywood and the superficially glamorous world it represents.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points, unless the baby’s name is ‘Ohio’. Pound’s original
card character for OS2 cards 47a Disgustin’ JUSTIN and 47b Vile KYLE is biking
along drinking a cold ‘BEER’, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character
riding along, licking away, taking candy from a child. Per the original color
rough, the character is missing his signature ring and long wind-blown hair. The
house in the distance has been removed for the final artwork and the infant is
seen re-drawn along the border of the artwork with hands reaching out for his
stolen candy instead of up-in-the-air. The SONG
category pays tribute to the country tune “On the Road Again” by artist
Willie Nelson released in 1980. The T.V. SHOW
category pays tribute to the game show “Wheel of Fortune”. The word
‘PISTON‘ within the ADDRESS
is a short cylinder fitting used in internal combustion engines.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points, although she’s so stuffed-up she couldn’t hear the
phone. Pound’s original card character for OS1 cards 21a Virus IRIS and 21b Sicky
VICKY is sitting in an ice bath surrounded by cold medicine and a box of tissue,
while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character within a moutain heap of used
snotty tissue and eighteen countable tissue boxes. Per the original color rough,
the character is only surrounded by half a dozen tissue boxes and only one bottle
of cold medicine; while there is three within the final artwork and the patient’s
thermometer has busted from overheating. The SONG
category pays tribute to the country and pop tune “Always on My Mind”
recorded first in 1972 and covered by Willie Nelson (1982) and the Pet Shop Boys
(1987). The MAG category pays tribute
to the publication “Better Homes and Gardens”. The words ‘IRON LUNG’
within the ADDRESS is a rigid case that
fits over a patient’s body used for artifical respiration via the means of mechancil
pumps.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points, although it could be a gift of truce for Hairy CARRIE
and Brutal BRIDGET. Pound’s original card character for OS2 cards 55a Hairy GARY
and 55b Brutal BRAD is dragging his mirror-image fraternal twin around by the
hair, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character leading a bow-tied dinosuar
around by a tether. Per the original color rough, the concept is pretty much exactly
the same as the final artwork except a ridge of plates has been added to the head,
back and tail of the dinosaur. The SONG
category pays tribute to the country and rock tune “Rock Around the Clock”
recorded first in 1955 by Bill Haley. The T.V.
SHOW category pays tribute to “The Flintstones” Hanna-Barbera
cartoon (1960) and references one of the characters, Barney Rubble, within the
first PERMANENT RECORD bullet point. The
MOVIE category should’ve been the 1981 slapstick
comedy film “Caveman”, IMHO.

Original
Final Artwork: JOHN POUND

Original Series
— two Puzzle Preview cards: 254 and 281 —
twenty-one Puzzle Piece cards: 251,
253 (x2), 255, 257, 259, 260, 261, 265 (x2), 268, 269, 271, 272, 280, 283, 284,
285, 286, 287 + 292

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points. Pound’s original card character for OS2 cards 79a
Sewer SUE and 79b MICHELLE Muck (misspelled ‘MICHELE’ on card) is standing there
with a heavy slouch, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character waist deep
in a bathtub full of waste. Per the original color rough, a garbage can has been
removed from the image, the neutral skin tone becomes green-er again for the final
artwork and footprints have been added alongside the handprints on the tile walls
and tub. The SONG category pays tribute
to the film tune “Singing in the Rain” performed by Gene Kelly in 1952.
The MAG category pays tribute to the “Better
Homes and Gardens” publication much like card #270. The T.V.
SHOW category is a parody name of the game show “What’s My
Line?” that first aired in 1950 and the MOVIE
category is a parody name of the 1961 film “West Side Story”.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points; apparently the character did not have his walking
cane to keep him upright. Pound’s original card character for OS1 cards 35a Wrinkly
RANDY and 35b Rockin’ ROBERT is seen slowly rocking in his rocker, while Bunk’s
rendered artwork shows the character in a previously precarious I’ve-fallen-and-can’t-get-up
position. Per the original color rough, the spiderwebs show that the rocking chair
has been turned over for quite some time and the character’s spectacles have fallen
off of his face. The BOOK category references
‘SENILITY‘ which is the condition of being senile, showing
the loss of mental faculties. The T.V. SHOW
category mentions “JOE FRANKLIN” of “The Joe Franklin Show”,
born Jospeh Fortgang, a radio and television host personality from NYC. The MOVIE
category is a tribute to the 1957 film of the same name, emphasize on the word
‘Old’. The ADDRESS category contains the
word “GERITOL” which is a trademarked name for
a variety of dietary supplements; created from the term ‘geriatric’ (old people
& health care), the word “MEWS” which is a
street of households converted from stables, along with the term “BUNIONS”
which are painful swellings on the first joint that form alonside the the big
toe.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points. Bunk’s original card character for OS3 cards 116a
Eerie ERIC and 116b Beserk KIRK, based off of a tight pencil by artist John Pound,
is running through a field at night under a full moon holding a bone, while his
rendered artwork shows the character pulling on the pants of a mailman. The SONG
category pays tribute to the classic tune “Blue Moon” performed by Billie
Holiady in 1952. The MAG category mentions
‘LON CHANEY’ actor, renowned for his tortured characters — often grotesque
as in the silent horror films The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom
of the Opera, and his groundbreaking artistry and makeup. The ADDRESS
category mentions ‘OUSPENKSYA‘, for Maria Ouspenskaya, a
Russian actress featured in the 1941 film The Wolf Man along with actor
Lon Chaney.

The original tight color rough shows the character in exactly the same position
as the final artwork, however, the mailman has his hat flying off, a potential
smoking pipe removed from the image, an extra arm/hand can be seen, the letters
being held are now dropped, and the character’s nose shortened for the final artwork.

The file card image doesn’t really
depict any of the listed PERMANENT RECORD
bullet points. Bunk’s original card character for OS3 cards 93a DREW Blood and
93b Bustin’ DUSTIN is tied up like a pretzel in a wrestling ring, while his rendered
artwork shows the character tide up like a pretzel by a baby in a neighborhood
setting. The SONG category pays tribute
to the classic tune of the same name performed by The Mills Brothers in 1944.
The ADDRESS category mentions ‘PINYA’, as
in ‘Pin ya/you down to the mat/floor’ (also referenced in the past tense within
the PERMANENT
RECORD first
bullet point), and ‘SLEEPERHOLD‘, a chokehold wrestling
move which is a rear naked choke. The PERMANENT
RECORD, bullet point #3, also mentions ‘HALF NELSONED‘,
another wrestling move known as the nelson hold that’s a grappling hold used to
control an opponent or to turn them over on their back to execute a pin.

The
original tight color rough shows the character in exactly the same position as
the final artwork, however, a bandage was added to the face and the bottom of
the foot, holes in the shirt and a patch added to the pants, a cauliflower ear
with swelling added to the face along with a bump lump, and the cracked ground
added to the image for the final artwork.

The file card depicts all three
listed PERMANENT RECORD bullet points, ad
nauseum. Pound’s original card character for OS2 cards 53a Jolted JOEL and 53b
Live MIKE is being eletrocuted, while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character
playing so loud and so long that the roof to the ‘MUSIC HALL‘
is falling down and collapsing. The T.V. SHOW
category pays tribute to the game show “Name That Tune” that starting
airing in 1952. The MOVIE category states
a 1975 sing-a-long cult classic film and the QUOTE
category pays tribute to ‘THE WHO(?)’ band that originated in 1964. The ADDRESS
category mentions ‘AMP’ which is short for guitar amplifier, and ‘PINKFLOYD’,
the 1965 band. The PERMANENT RECORD also
mentions the tune ‘STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN‘, the famous Led Zepplin
song recorded in 1971.

The
original tight color rough shows the character in exactly the same position as
the final artwork, however, a few amplified currents have been rearranged, a broken
speaker has been added to the strage, and the character’s attire has been changed
color-wise: the pants changed from red to yellow, the shirt from green to red,
and the purple hair changed to punk green.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points; this is the only card with four bullet points with
all of the FAVORITES categories shoved over
to the left hand side of the card. Pound’s original card character for OS2 cards
64a Hot SCOTT and 64b LUKE Warm is seen simply standing there and simmering, while
Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character spit-roasting an angel over a open
hell fire. Per the original color rough, the ‘LE CHEF’ bib has been removed from
the character and the angel is looking towards the audience but changed to a sideways
view holding a harp for the final artwork. The FOOD
category references ‘STERNO‘ which is the flammable jelly
supplied in cans for use as fuel for cooking stoves or to keep chafing dishes
warm. The SONG category pays tribute to
the 1976 disco tune “Disco Inferno” by The Trammps. The QUOTE
references the temptations of the Devil or the Tempter in so many words and the
fourth and final PERMANENT RECORD slips
6/6/86, 666, which is the number of the Beast and considered bad luck. The ADDRESS
category boldly states ‘666’ and mentions both ‘DOWN BELOW‘
and ‘HECK‘ which references Hell and the humorous usage
of the word heck in place of the word hell.

The file card image doesn’t really
depict any of the listed PERMANENT RECORD
bullet points, but it does picture the vacuum cleaner (aka stolen goods)
of the first bullet point. Pound’s original card character for OS1 cards 16a Weird
WENDY and 16b Haggy MAGGIE (misspelled ‘Haggie’) has the witch brewing up a potion,
while Bunk’s rendered artwork shows the character flying through the air on the
aforementioned vacuum cleaner per Bunk’s original color rough, flight goggles
were a possibility and the green plane in the background was changed to blue.
The FOOD category humorously mentions ‘ghoulash’,
a mash-up of the words ghoul (an evil phantom) and goulash (an Hungarian soup
or stew). The SONG category pays tribute
to the 1957 song performed by Frank Sinatra and the MAG
category is a name parody of the “Sports Illustrated” publication. The
T.V. SHOW and MOVIE
categories also include name parodies, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”
(1984) and “Any Which Way but Loose” (1978), respectively. The QUOTE
category mentions “WITCH HAZEL” which is a shrub
that can be used as an astringent lotion. The ADDRESS
category mentions ‘BROOM’ which witches are famously known to use as transportation
and “SALEM, MA” where the Salem witch trials took place in 1692 and
1693.

The
original tight color rough shows the character in exactly the same position as
the final artwork, however, a few subtle changes and/or additions have been made.
For comic relief, we see the character flying on an upright vacuum cleaner machine,
which is a kind of updated hand broom for household cleaning. The flight goggles
have been removed, along with a band-aid plaster plastered to the cleaner, a single
bolt has been added, and the airplane colour has been changed from green to blue
(less distracting and keeps your eye on the main character).

The file card image doesn’t really
depict any of the listed PERMANENT RECORD
bullet points, but it does show an abbundance of flowers and tiptoeing through
the tulips. Bunk’s original card character for OS3 cards 91a BLAKE Flake and 91b
Hippie SKIPPY (misspelled ‘SKIPPIE’) is standing there giving the ‘peace’ sign
with guitar in hand and sleeping pad over one shoulder, while Bunk’s rendered
artwork shows the character running through a field losing his balloon-like air-head.
Per Bunk’s original color rough, the dawn or dusk like sky has been removied,
the character’s hair went from reddish-brown to a sandy-blond color, and the long-sleeve
shirt and vest colors have changed for the final artwork. The FOOD
category mentions ‘BROWN RICE‘ which is the unstripped,
health-nut way of eating rice. Both SONG
and MOVIE categories reference the same
1979 tune and hippie-induced film. The MAG
pays tribute to the “Rolling Stone” music magazine by way of a name
parody. The T.V. SHOW, QUOTE,
ADDRESS and third PERMANENT
RECORD all hint at drug-induced states and hippie speech; the T.V.
SHOW and PERMANENT
RECORD being
most likely psychedelic heavy shrooming or acid-tripping and the QUOTE
and ADDRESS listing the Shaggy-like hippie
speech patterns.

The
original tight color rough shows the character in exactly the same position as
the final artwork, however, a few subtle changes and/or additions have been made.
As with most of Bunk’s color roughs, colours are switched up quite a bit, even
between the color rough to final artwork stages. Shirt, hair, and ‘airhead’ balloon
string colours all changed.

The
file card image doesn’t really depict any of the listed PERMANENT
RECORD bullet points. Pound’s original card character for OS2 cards 57a
TOMMY Gun and 57b Dead FRED is seen being shot up with holes, while Bunk’s final
card artwork shows the character in the back of a line of a ‘BANK’ about to rob
it. Per the original color rough, the character was initially hidden within a
baby carriage or pram with signature cigar in mouth and Tommy gun in hand; the
art director put notes on the color rough to have a ‘LINE’-up of characters created
instead. The FOOD category makes reference
to ‘RED SAUCE’, aka blood. The SONG
category is a name parody that pays tribute to the anonymous folk song “99
Bottles of Beer (on the Wall)”. The T.V. SHOW
references the 1955 action western TV series and radio show. The QUOTE
quotes actor Robert Di Nero from the 1976 movie “Taxi Driver”. The ADDRESS
category references the thick NYC accent with ‘NEW YAWK’, where the Topps company
was located, within ‘BROOKLYN’, and where bodies were possibly thrown over the
docks with ‘cement shoes’.