I have a long weekend with Columbus Day on Monday, so I’m finally getting around to setting down my thoughts on Old School 5.
I really like this series. Wonderful combination of products I remember well, products that came back to me after not thinking about them for years and years, and products I’d never heard of – but loved the parody.
The art is some of the best from any Old School series yet! I like the simple, strong visuals, really evokes wackys from back in the day, and there are many striking examples here. Truly funny gags, and just the right amount of 1970s social and political references. OLDS5 is a winner on all counts in my book! Thoughts on favorite stickers below.
Woozy Willy I played with Wooly Willy plenty when I was a kid, so the nostalgia radar was pinging. Love the transformation of the original packaging, and an alcohol joke to boot! Green eyelids are always classy.
Astro Sheen I went to an alternative high school that was racially balanced, so I remember Afro Sheen well. “Your Hair will Defy Gravity” – great gag, and love the depiction of the alien.
Genesis Beer I’d never heard of Genesee Beer, but I love the art! Top notch on the classic wacky look. And beer for babies – what’s not to like? Fantastic expression on the little guy’s face.
I.C.B.M Root Beer Another product I didn’t know, but that doesn’t matter a whit. The gag is spot on and the art is superb. I got a real bang out of this one.
Raisin’its This proves that yes, the world really did need another raisinettes parody. Again, the classic wacky look and Zombie raisins are my kind of fun.
Spiritgraph A thing of beauty. Love the kids’ reaction to the pens drawing on their own. The drawings the spiritgraph creates are out of this world creepy. “Drawing you into the Afterlife” chuckle worthy and “Draw” a million phantoms, as punny as it gets.
Boston Burned Beans Like Spirograph, another trip down memory lane. The art is so clean and yet also expressive. “Wicked Hawt” love the Bostonese. So true to the original package, while being entirely wacky. Old School at its best.
