06. Buzzooka

• Published Date:  March 2005
• Parody Subject:  Bazooka bubble gum
• Concept Writer/Artist:  Jay Lynch (from a David Gross idea)
• Painter:  David Gross
• Date of Final Painting:  November 2004
• Note:  "Buzzooka" was one of the three titles (along with "Fool Iced Tea" and "Ghoul Whip") that represented ANS2 on the series' display boxes and wrappers. It also appeared in promotional items such as brochures and sell sheets, and was featured on the cover of the Collector's Album.
• Connections:  Topps' own Bazooka bubble gum, in various incarnations, is one of the most-parodied products in Wacky Packages history, having been the subject of:
  • "Gadzooka" (1967 Die-Cuts, 1973 1st Series)
  • "Badzooka" (1974 10th Series)
  • "Batzooka" (1985 Series)
  • "Badzooka" (1991 Series)
  • "Bazzuchini" (ANS2 - on the back of "Queerasil")

Art Stages

Rough Concept Drawing "Buzzooka" was a late addition to the ANS2 lineup, commissioned after Topps realized that none of the company's own products were the subject of parody in the set. Editor Jeff Zapata asked Jay Lynch for Bazooka gags, but ended up not using Lynch's ideas. David Gross proposed two concepts: "Bathzooka" (gum that doubles as soap for washing out a kid's mouth) and "Buzzooka." Zapata asked Gross for roughs of these ideas, but because Gross wanted to paint from a Jay Lynch rough, he recommended passing the concepts to the veteran Wacky artist. Lynch wrote the jokes and designed and drew the two roughs, from which Topps selected "Buzzooka" to advance to the painting stage. (The thumbnail at above left links to the rough at wackypackages.org)

Final Painting For the painting, Gross was asked by Topps to change the boy on Lynch's rough to make him into more of a homage to "Gadzooka". Instead, Gross combined aspects of the "Gadzooka" Boy with the gum's mascot Bazooka Joe to create a character that is unique yet familiar. One of the bees on Lynch's rough was moved to echo the position of "Gadzooka"'s old teacher character. Gross added the "Packs a Sting" joke while painting and changed the placement and style of the phrase "Honey Flavor" to ape the real product's "Original Bubble Gum" tag. Gross originally had painted "Clueless" at the top as Lynch had indicated, but on Lynch's last-minute suggestion, Gross changed it to read "Bee-Ware!" thirty minutes before he had to ship the finished piece to Topps.

Printed Sticker

Card Front & Back The checklist of the base set of 55 ANS2 stickers is found on the back of "Buzzooka".