ANS 7 Review

[slamjim]

Ok - now I really went through the WOM's again to see what I came up with for personal faves (and why) -- in order:

• CrimeTapp (like the gag and it's actually quite clear considering how much art there is)

Fred came up with this gag and I asked Jeff to paint it because I liked it so much. The sticker seems a bit faded.

[slamjim]

and Ghoul Scouts:

[slamjim]

and Just for Wolfmen:

[Plan 9]

Love the bird hat with the $1 tag. If I remember from my childhood, that's an homage to the "sweet ol' gal" on Hee Haw? Correct?

Exactly! Though I was never able to find a picture of her.

[Plan 9]

and Ghoul Scouts:

Oh wow. That's so much better than the sticker. Great work!

[BumChex]

Exactly! Though I was never able to find a picture of her.

That was Minnie Pearl. I just googled her. Google is your friend

[paste_anyplace]

You don't see much realism on Wacky's anymore and Norm had a great sense of when to use realism and when to get goofy. I figured this gag warranted realism. Zapata's response to this was nothing more than to say he was hoping the lady would have been silly looking.

You were right to go for the realism. The lady's expression is just right. The flower designs, the bird and price tag on the hat, and the lace and pattern on the blouse are all great details.

I was thrown for a minute by the size of the teapot relative to the figure, but it needs to be that size compositionally, and hey... she's a little old lady.

[paste_anyplace]

and Ghoul Scouts:

I never noticed before that the Samoanas on the side have stripes that look like chocolate bones. You're a madman with the details... 

[Sue Mee]

and Ghoul Scouts:

Those are all excellent Dave and it reinforces my thought that having stickers is fun and nostalgic, but I really want larger prints or books with the better quality images.

[Sue Mee]

[expando]http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/992799137_5jksx-L.jpg[/expando]

I was telling Fred how much I liked the kids he included in the pencil rough. 
Topps wanted it to be simpler. 
I made this to see how it might have been had they let him include them in the final.
I think his original idea added alot to the overall balance of the piece.

[DrSushi]

I was telling Fred how much I liked the kids he included in the pencil rough. 
Topps wanted it to be simpler. 
I made this to see how it might have been had they let him include them in the final.
I think his original idea added alot to the overall balance of the piece.

I agree, it fills out the space much better. And the sleepy kids really drive home the gag!

[Crakola Crayons]

I was telling Fred how much I liked the kids he included in the pencil rough. 
Topps wanted it to be simpler. 
I made this to see how it might have been had they let him include them in the final.
I think his original idea added alot to the overall balance of the piece.

I agree as well.  Right now this one is probably in my bottom 20%.  Adding the kids back in would have moved this one a lot higher on my list for ANS7 (more like top 20%).

[RawGoo]

I agree as well.  Right now this one is probably in my bottom 20%.  Adding the kids back in would have moved this one a lot higher on my list for ANS7 (more like top 20%).

I agree here, too.

[Smokin Joe]

Ditto. It's usually a bit of a struggle to squeeze a good, big character onto the open space of a package... older package designs used more blank space than today's 'fill every inch' approach and are easier to work into. The combined image you show here really looks great! ... and it still doesn't look cluttered... and you get more character. (Is that a win, win, win?)  Good design is as important as good painting and good gag writing. You proved it here.

[Ducko]

I agree with Crakola's assessment. Would have been GREAT with the added snoozing kids.

Idea: Why doesn't Topps pass some of these decisions past us? Seems like we can do a really good critique and make great choices.

[Gurgle]

I like it a lot more! Fred knows best.

[Plan 9]

That was Minnie Pearl. I just googled her. Google is your friend

So that was her name. Damn. That's all you need to find what you're looking for on Google. Just as well. I wouldn't use her pink dress on a pink background.

[Jean Nutty]

I got my online order with the bonus boxes, binder, and cereal boxes.  Can I say how FREAKIN' AWESOME these cereal boxes are?

After I opened them, I folded them out and I'm trying to flat them out a little more so I can put them in my binder, too!

Have you tried putting them under a tall stack of phone books?

[Monsterettes]

I thought I'd cut right to reviews of some of my favorite wackys rather than trying to go one by one. 

17. Kreepy Kreme
This wacky has loads of personality -- love it.  Strong simple graphic that just grabs you.  The main gag carries the wacky and having few secondary jokes really works in this case, gives the parody more oomph.  Wonderful inventiveness to have the monsters' tentacles feature round donuts as stickers and the detailing on the chocolate frosted sprinkle tentacle is outstanding.  This wacky works beautifully on all counts.

55.  Kiss Kat
I've never been a fan of the band, but this wacky rocks!  Multi-layered gag, the wafers are catnip that turns you kitten into a wild rebel -- a feline version of Gene Simmons with a rough cat tongue to match.  How on earth did the line "Your Kitty Will Lick and Purr all Night -- & Party All Day!" get through? And the art on the rocker cat, wow, I'd love to see the original painting on that.  This wackys follows the classic pattern set by Norm: stay true to the actual packaging ("claw here"), while adding a character with true eye candy appeal, all in the modern idiom.  Superb example of a wacky that doesn't fall prey to nostalgia, but fully carries on the best of the wacky lineage.

28.  Grape Newts
Amazing artwork -- the folds on the witch's robes, her hair, her expression, the incredible expressiveness of her hands. Not classic goofiness, but I love the variety the style of this wacky brings to the set.  I also really like the color reversal, the witch with green skin against her purple garb, the newts purple skin set off with the green potion.  Best Used by Oct. 31 is a great gag, with the gleeful newt clambering out puts a visual exclamation point on it.  The problem of mixing lizards and newts has been mentioned.  While that might normally bother me, the wacky is so great I find myself happily suspending disbelief. 

Plenty more wackys I love from ANS7 -- these are just some of my favs   

[Monsterettes]

Thanks so much for posting the Sweet 'n Slow image Mark.  I liked this wacky before, but now I really appreciate it.  Same with Choppertone. And I had the same reaction to Dave's scans.  It's hypnotic to see the original art, thanks to you all for making the effort so we can enjoy -- keep 'em coming guys!   

[slamjim]

Kreepy Kreme:



The original version. I thought it would work much better as a mysterious creature made of doughnuts rather than a goofy monster who just handles them.

[Monsterettes]

Kreepy Kreme:



The original version. I thought it would work much better as a mysterious creature made of doughnuts rather than a goofy monster who just handles them.

I totally agree with the thinking behind the switch from the rough to the finished painting.  Much creepier and more mysterious.  Fascinating to see the evolution of your idea!

[DrSushi]

Kreepy Kreme:



The original version. I thought it would work much better as a mysterious creature made of doughnuts rather than a goofy monster who just handles them.

Excellent! The creature made of doughnuts is much more creative. I really appreciate this one much more after seeing the larger image.

[GadzookaBoy]

and Just for Wolfmen:

Dave ..

This one is COMPLETELY AWESOME !!!! 

Ron

[Smokin Joe]

55.  Kiss Kat

Here's a closer look at Kiss Kat. I've been wanting to work KISS into a Wacky for a while... this one just clicked. I like that they are a pop culture icon just like Wacky's... and that they would go together just like chocolate and peanut butter (oh wait, that's the other one... never mind). 

[RawGoo]

55.  Kiss Kat

Here's a closer look at Kiss Kat. I've been wanting to work KISS into a Wacky for a while... this one just clicked. I like that they are a pop culture icon just like Wacky's... and that they would go together just like chocolate and peanut butter (oh wait, that's the other one... never mind). 

WOW!!!!!!!  That is a masterpiece!  Thanks for the high res look at this gem.  I like the gag, and from the wrapper shading to the way the edges are done, and then of course the fantastic cat, it's just awesome. 

[Choke_Wagon]

55.  Kiss Kat

Here's a closer look at Kiss Kat. I've been wanting to work KISS into a Wacky for a while... this one just clicked. I like that they are a pop culture icon just like Wacky's... and that they would go together just like chocolate and peanut butter (oh wait, that's the other one... never mind). 

How does it work in order for the gag to be approved, did Topps need to ask KISS for approval before final art could be done?

[Smokin Joe]

I can't answer with first hand knowledge but my GUESS is that because it is a parody it is protected under a 'freedom of speech' thing... and at most the Topps lawyers may be asked to look at it and advise whether it could cause trouble and needs some modification or should be eliminated completely. If anything Gene Simmons should thank us for suggesting a new product and how it could be marketed with a KISS endorsement. Goes great with Cherry Dr. Pepper.

[Choke_Wagon]

Thanks Smokin Joe. I only ask because of the KISS logo lettering I Thought was proprietary to them. They are known to go after people that don't consult usage.

Choke_Wagon

[deadpresidentsvisa]

HEY Joe.......HI,  Lance here from Joliet,Illinois(where john wayne gacy was put to death)when i said back to back card #55 i did not mean to send KissKat into obscurity, all of the artists are very talented people!!Someone seriously needs to get Topps to make future ANS and OLDS sets postcard size,limited edition no doubt cause my eyes are not getting any younger...........................................................................................

[Smokin Joe]

HEY Joe.......HI,  Lance here from Joliet,Illinois(where john wayne gacy was put to death)when i said back to back card #55 i did not mean to send KissKat into obscurity, all of the artists are very talented people!!Someone seriously needs to get Topps to make future ANS and OLDS sets postcard size,limited edition no doubt cause my eyes are not getting any younger...........................................................................................

 Hi Lance, (Too bad MORE towns can't claim to have put John Wayne Gacy to death... we should have just kept shipping his corpse around and given everyone an opportunity... lethal injections, electric chair, whatever... ) I agree and would love to see big printed art... the books do a nice job. So does Smugmug...
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/6782758_ZSrCy#433333312_TypK9/  

  I would like to see a Super sized Wacky's release like Old School. My old eyes are tired too.

[paste_anyplace]

I started to put together an ANS7 credits table...

Base Set

#	TITLE	PAINTER	CONCEPT
01	Ghoul Scouts	David Gross	David Gross
02	Play-Doze	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton/David Gross
03	Just for Wolfmen	David Gross	David Gross
04	Dorkitos	?	?
05	Chickless	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton
06	Hungry-Mantis	David Gross	David Gross/Fred Wheaton
07	Bumpkin Dimwits	Brent Engstrom	Neil Camera
08	V6	Brent Engstrom	David Gross
09	Burnt Bees	Smokin' Joe	Smokin' Joe
10	Seagerm's	David Gross	David Gross
11	Cutz	David Gross	David Gross
12	Bruise's	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton
13	Twitley	Brent Engstrom	?
14	Boredom	Smokin' Joe	Smokin' Joe
15	Death Savers	David Gross	David Gross
16	Stupid Pretzel	David Gross	David Gross
17	Kreepy Kreme	David Gross	David Gross
18	Mtn Dude	David Gross	David Gross
19	Ditz	David Gross	David Gross
20	Flabreze	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton
21	Smuggler's	Brent Engstrom	Mark Parisi
22	Air Sick	Brent Engstrom	Fred Wheaton
23	Pinkies	Brent Engstrom	Mark Parisi
24	Honey-Tomb	David Gross	Fred Wheaton
25	biteamanwater	Tom Bunk	?

Corrections to and extensions of the list are welcome.

[Smokin Joe]

Thanks Smokin Joe. I only ask because of the KISS logo lettering I Thought was proprietary to them. They are known to go after people that don't consult usage.

Choke_Wagon

I think we're safe because the letters are really the Kit Kat letters with lightening boltish 'SS'... looks enough like the KISS logo to carry the gag, but I could argue that it doesn't use their exact logo. Of course this is the kind of thing lawyers love... as long as they have something to argue about, someone has to pay them money. 

[koduck]

I started to put together an ANS7 credits table...

Base Set

#	TITLE	PAINTER	CONCEPT
01	Ghoul Scouts	David Gross	David Gross
02	Play-Doze	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton/David Gross
03	Just for Wolfmen	David Gross	David Gross
04	Dorkitos	?	?
05	Chickless	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton
06	Hungry-Mantis	David Gross	David Gross/Fred Wheaton
07	Bumpkin Dimwits	Brent Engstrom	Neil Camera
08	V6	Brent Engstrom	David Gross
09	Burnt Bees	Smokin' Joe	Smokin' Joe
10	Seagerm's	David Gross	David Gross
11	Cutz	David Gross	David Gross
12	Bruise's	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton
13	Twitley	Brent Engstrom	?
14	Boredom	Smokin' Joe	Smokin' Joe
15	Death Savers	David Gross	David Gross
16	Stupid Pretzel	David Gross	David Gross
17	Kreepy Kreme	David Gross	David Gross
18	Mtn Dude	David Gross	David Gross
19	Ditz	David Gross	David Gross
20	Flabreze	Fred Wheaton	Fred Wheaton
21	Smuggler's	Brent Engstrom	Mark Parisi
22	Air Sick	Brent Engstrom	Fred Wheaton
23	Pinkies	Brent Engstrom	Mark Parisi
24	Honey-Tomb	David Gross	Fred Wheaton
25	biteamanwater	Tom Bunk	?

Corrections to and extensions of the list are welcome.

Hi Fred,

I think I can help with #4 Dorkitos - Concept by David Stepper, Painting by Neil Camera

[RawGoo]

Hi Fred,

I think I can help with #4 Dorkitos - Concept by David Stepper, Painting by Neil Camera

I really like the dorky faces on the chips, and 'Dippy Chips' is a great line!  The foil bag and crimping looks nice - I'd love to see a larger image.  What's the odd shape at the top supposed to be?