How many of you remember Bazooka Joe? You could buy those little pieces of gum for like a nickel and you'd get a little comic strip in the wrapper. Some of the wrappers had "fortunes" on them and they was also items you could order depending on the number of comics you saved up.
After debuting in the 1950s, Bazooka Joe is now getting a new look. This also comes on the recent news in 2012 that the comic strips would no longer be included. Looks like we could be seeing a return of the strips.
Over 100,000 votes were cast and now Bazooka Joe, the well-known face of Bazooka Bubble Gum, has a brand new look! Bazooka Candy Brands, a division of Topps, tapped four top artists to help develop more than 100 potential new looks for Bazooka Joe and for 16 weeks fans were invited to be part of the excitement by voting for their favorites at BazookaJoe.com. Voting closed on May 31st and today, the winning Bazooka Joe, designed by illustrator Victor Intrasombat of Clockwork Animation, was revealed at BazookaJoe.com and in a broadcast spot, featuring him in a stylish, modern version of his well-known ensemble of jeans, t-shirt, and baseball cap. Now that Joe has a new look, he, along with his pal Mort will be spotlighted in comics, games and activities in Bazooka Bubble Gum packs starting later this year.
Nicole Rivera, Senior Brand Manager, Bazooka Candy Brands said, “The reveal of a reimagined look for Bazooka Joe is the final step in a successful multi-phased brand refresh that has seen sales double since it began in 2013. We received more than 100,000 votes from fans. To us, that not only validates Bazooka Joe’s enduring status as a pop culture icon, but also speaks to the incredible passion people have for this timeless brand.”
To assist with Bazooka Joe’s refresh, Bazooka Candy Brands and their agency, Flint & Steel, worked with a diverse group of impressive illustrators. In addition to Victor Instrasombat of Clockwork Animation, who created the winning illustration, other artists that contributed potential new looks include Benjamin Balistreri (How to Train Your Dragon), Robert Lilly (Nickelodeon Animation Studios), and Ben Reynolds (mobile games for Ghostbusters and Monster Pet Shop). Each of the participating artists were selected for their talent and their Bazooka Joe fandom.
Asked for comment, Bazooka Joe bubbled with excitement, “Thanks to all of the fans who helped me talk Topps into finding me a new getup. New hairstyle, new clothes – I’m ready to take on the world!”
To celebrate the new look of Bazooka Joe, The Topps Company will also issue a special edition digital trading card that showcases the updated spokes-character. The digital trading card will be available in the Topps® BUNT® 2015 app beginning today. The Topps® BUNT® 2015 app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Bazooka Bubble Gum is part of Bazooka Candy Brands popular confectionery portfolio that includes Ring Pop®, Ring Pop® Gummies, Juicy Drop™ Gummies, Juicy Drop™ Taffy, Juicy Drop® Pop, and Baby Bottle Pop®.
The big question is, will we ever really find out why he wears an eye patch? It was supposedly to make him distinctive but I think there's a real reason that's still being covered up after all these years.
