In the autumn of 2024, MAD magazine (Issue #40), via DC Comics,
published another spread of card images poking fun at GPK, but this
time, instead of celebrities, the crazy world of politics was tackled.
On August 7, 2024, artist Tom Bunk reached out via email and asked,
“Hi Boot, do you have Brent Engstrom’s email? I had to refuse a
MAD job (too busy), that has to do with GPK, and I recommended Brent
and MAD was interested.” Needless to say, Brent happily accepted
the project (as a dream come true, to be published in MAD) and
his ‘pontification-filled parodies’ were published. Def’n: Pontification
— the act of speaking or expressing opinions in a dogmatic or pompous
manner.
DESCRIPTION: 20+ PAGES OF NEW MAD CONTENT!
In case you didn’t know by now…2024 is an election year! MAD #40 vetoes
that news and says POLITICS SCHMOLITCS! This issue contains a one-third
consensus of pages filled with BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW MAD CONTENT! Includes
a new A MAD Look at… by Sergio Aragones, Tom Bunk’s political trading
cards, pontification-filled parodies, Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions:
Political Edition, and much more. Features a fabulous new front-runner
Fold-In by Johnny Sampson too. Plus, classic favorites like Spy Vs.
Spy, and numerous silly satirical slams on the past and present heads
of state. Go out and pass some bills over the counter, pick up a (ballot)
issue, and make Alfred E. Neuman president today! Previews # JUL243410.
In Shops: Oct 09, 2024. SRP: $5.99
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CRABBAGE PATCH KIDS! — SCHOLASTIC MANIAC MAG
Although most likely published prior to the release of the GPK by Topps
in mid-1985, since artwork was completed in 1984, the Scholastic Maniac
Magazine had an issue that contained a page spread poking fun at Cabbage
Patch Kids, calling them Crabbage Patch Dolls, Crabbage Patch Teenagers,
and Crabbage Patch Grandparents. Per Wiki, Sam Viviano “is an American
caricature artist and art director. Viviano’s caricatures are known
for their wide jaws, which Viviano has explained is a result of his
incorporation of side views as well as front views into his distortions
of the human face. He has also developed a reputation for his ability
to do crowd scenes.”
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GARBAGE DUMP POPSTARS — CRACKED MAGAZINE
The date and issue unknown, Cracked magazine unabashedly also poked
fun at GPK and celebrities, but only musicians, with a three-page spread
(pgs 43—45), titled ‘Garbage Dump PopStars’. Potentially coincidentally,
the character name ‘MAD DONNA’ is the same as the GPK OS2 nomenclature.
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GARBAGE AIL KID — CRACKED MAGAZINE
In late 1987, Cracked magazine (Issue #232, Nov. 1987) also released
a GPK parody piece, painted by artist Bob Fingerman, that simultaneously
poked fun at CPK, GPK, and their own janitor mascot, Sylvester P. Smythe,
a blatant mimicry of MAD’s Alfred E. Neuman (and magazine, as a whole).
NOTE: original artwork pictured.
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The following GPK parody examples were marketed to younger children
in the late 80’s through vending machines, at fast food restuarants,
and in department stores. Because of their limited releases and condition
these sets are extremely hard to complete. Other similar sets not pictured
can be found such as Dirty Rotten Kids and Garbage Patch Kids both not
sold in vending machines. This list also includes some parodies found
in print, poking fun at GPK and CPK.
TRASH CAN TOTS
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TRASH BRATS
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TRASH CAN STARS
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TRASH CAN KIDS —
1986
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The following examples of GPK parody had a more main-stream release,
one fan-based set was only obtainable online, another set was only found
at a fast food chain and hard to complete. These sets were mainly released
in the 1990’s and 2000’s and were regular card size besides the skateboard
stickers.
FUCKED UP BLIND KIDS — 1989
SKATEBOARD STICKERS : 4 STICKER SET SOLD AS A PACK
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TROUBLE TROLLS —
1992
PARODY OF THE TRASH CAN TROLLS : 60 CARD SET
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THE SLOPPY SLOBS — 1993
RELEASED IN EUROPE — PRODUCED IN ITALY : 160
CARD SET
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CARNAGE CREW— 1999
RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY — 32 CARD SET
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TOBACCO BAD KIDS — 2000
INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED (ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN)
— 21 CARD SET
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MILK SUCKERS — 2000
PETA’s GRRR! MAGAZINE PUBLICATION — 4 CARD SHEET INSERT
— FALL/WINTER 2000 EDITION
NOTE: A SPANISH EDITION EXISTS
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FAIRY TALE FREAKS — 2001
BURGER KING ‘KIDS MEAL’ 2001 RELEASE — CARD
INSERT WITH SHREK TOY — 23 CARD SET
John Pound drew 13 of the published cards
for the Fairy Tale Freaks release: Cappucchinocchio, Cindersmella,
Old Woman Who Did Not Have a Clue, Thugly Duckling, Snoring Beauty,
Little Rad Riding Hood, Rumbleina, Sobbin’ Hood, Bumpty Dumpty, Gingershred
Man, Glow White, 3 Brittle Pigs and Fubles Pigskins. Three of his unpublished
titles are: Raw Bunion, Emperor’s New Nose and Peter Hyper. NOTE:
REVERSE CARD OF JACK & THE MEAN JOCK.
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CHICKEN CHUMPS — 2003
PETA’s GRRR! MAGAZINE PUBLICATION —
4 CARD SHEET INSERT : 2003 EDITION
