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Former GPK Artist Justin Green (1945-2022) Passes Away

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Jeff

Former Garbage Pail Kids artist Justin Green passed away April 23, 2022. Justin worked for Topps on both the ANS 4 and ANS 5 GPK sets. He was one of seven artists to complete sketches for the ANS 4 set, the first GPK set to feature sketch cards. For ANS 5, Justin finished the final artwork on the Alphabet Stickers insert card set.

While his time in the GPK world was brief, Justin was a key member of the Underground Comix movement in the 1970’s. He was known as the father of autobiographical comics with the release of his 1972 comic, Blinky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary. The comic helped to inspire his roommate at the time, Art Spiegelman, to go on to create his award winning Maus comic book. Justin also was a master sign painter, with his work leading to be published as a book, Sign Game, in 1994. He continued to work in the comic industry his entire life.

Former GPK Art Director Jeff Zapata was kind enough to send over these thoughts on Justin. “Justin was very much like Jay Lynch. He was a very humble and approachable person with virtual talent. He could draw things in ways you didn’t think about. We did GPK alphabet stickers together with Jay, (who introduced him to me). We even did an unpublished Wacky Packages sticker album that was amazing. He had the deepest, kindest voice and when he answered his phone he wouldn’t say hello. In a very deep godly voice he would say, “This is Justin Green!”. Jay and I would imitate it constantly with fondness. It was an honor to work with him and will never forget that voice and old school talent. “This is Justin Green.” Rest In Peace my friend. This hurts.”

Justin, who lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, is survived by his wife and daughter. His wife shared on Facebook that a memorial exhibit and celebration of life for Justin will be held in early December, with details to be released later.

Premium DNA Teases GPK Classic Figures Coming This Summer

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Jeff

Premium DNA, the company behind the recent GPK vs Madballs figures preorder, is teasing new Garbage Paul Kids figures for later this summer. The GPK Classic line will feature 6” figures that are a faithful recreation of the OS cards. The company answered a number of collector questions through Facebook recently revealing the details. The sculpts, paint, and accessories will look exactly like the card, recreated in 3D. The packaging will make collectors feel like they are opening a 3D version of am OS pack. Like their Madballs figures, they will have 26 points of articulation and come with swappable parts and accessories.

The company has 3 series planned with a total of 6 waves of figures for the Classic line. The first wave will consist of 4 characters. There will also be limited “b” named character packaging variants available for each character. The company is planning on revealing the characters, pictures, and pricing information closer to release. The figures are scheduled to debut at this year’s San Diego Comic Con in July. Collectors can still get in on the GPK vs. Madballs figure preorder, ending on 5/1/22.

Topps Reveals Print Run for Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion Set Week 2

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Jeff

Collectors continue to show its a love hate relationship with the 90’s. After ending earlier today, Topps revealed the print run for Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion Set week 2. The set sold a total of 1,126 copies. The sales are down nearly 400 from the first week, but remain strong for a GPK online offering. This also puts this week’s Sepia print run at 112 per card. Collectors still have four more weeks left to complete their expansion set.

Topps Launches Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion Set Week 3

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Jeff

We are now half way through the We Hate the 90’s expansion sets. Today Topps launched Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion set week 3. This is the third of six planned weekly sets extending the popular retail set focusing on everything 90’s. This week’s set contains 10 cards, 5 new pieces with a/b versions. Each set ordered also comes with one sepia parallel card. Artists David Gross and Brent Engstrom did all the artwork for the set. The set can be purchased for $19.99. Shipping is free when choosing the Economy SmartPost option. The set will be available for 7 days on Topps.com. Here is this weeks checklist along with pictures of the cards.

Dynamite Announces Garbage Pail Kids vs. Madballs Comicbook Series

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Jeff

Dynamite Comics today announced a new comic book series based on the Garbage Pail Kids vs. Madballs crossover. The series will tell the story how these two franchises battle it out. The comic will be written by veteran author Sholly Fisch, and illustrated by longtime GPK sketch artist Jason Crosby. There will be collectible variant covers created by Crosby, GPK artist Joe Simko, and Madballs artist James Gorman. Issue #1 is scheduled to launch July 2022. Collectors will want to preorder through their favorite comic book store. Here is the press release from Dynamite.

The Madballs™ & Garbage Pail Kids Clash in
All-Out War Historic Multimedia Crossover!

April 21, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite announces a historic summer crossover of epic proportions, as two beloved brands smash together in all their gross-out glory in Madballs™ vs. Garbage Pail Kids!

The two legendary franchises have been captivating audiences young and old for over three decades, co-ruling a corner of counterculture with their pun-heavy names, subversive humor, and inventive art and design. Now, as part of an exciting merchandising blitz, Dynamite is proud to publish an ambitious comic book series showing just how these misfits might get along – or destroy everything around them!

The story is written by Sholly Fisch, experienced across a deep bibliography with franchises like Superman, Star Wars, Scooby-Doo, Mighty Mouse, and Looney Tunes. His award-nominated work has always balanced appealing to all ages and seamlessly adapting franchises with passionate fanbases. Though, he holds his tongue on spoiling which side might win in this battle.

“Let’s just say that, no matter which side you’re on, you’ll find stuff to make you laugh. And, if you’re not careful, you may get splattered with slime or toxic waste, too,” said writer Sholly Fisch.

Fisch is joined by artist, Jason Crosby, known for drawing the Garbage Pail Kids already for Topps’ latest trading card and sketch card sets. Now, he’s dove headfirst into research to equally hone his Madballs.

“I try to have my work full of energy, movement, and splattered goop, so honestly, drawing these two franchises is right up my alley,” said artist Jason Crosby. “My work isn’t subtle, and I hope it explodes off the page.”

In addition to Jason’s action and gross-packed artwork in the story, the comic series will feature collectible variant covers by him and others. A project like this would be incomplete without the contributions of legendary GPK artist, Joe Simko, who contributes both an epic main cover and a trading card inspired one. Alongside collaborator, James Groman, Simko also crafted a mind-bursting wraparound cover!

Garbage Pail Kids kicked off its reign of irreverence in 1985 when Topps launched the first of many trading card series featuring their trademark hilariously revolting characters – all with clever names to match. The grossest kids you know have since translated to animation and a continuing full slate of globally-licensed consumer products.

“The Garbage Pail Kids and Madballs share much of the same ‘twisted’ DNA; an irreverent 80’s sensibility, outrageous artwork and loyal fan bases that remain passionate to this day.” says Ira Friedman, who oversees GPK licensing at Topps. “It comes as no surprise that the anticipation and excitement for this comics crossover is off the charts.”

More Delays for Garbage Pail Kids 2021S2 Vacation and Chrome OS 4

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jeff

As has been anticipated, Topps today issued further delays for both 2021S2 Garbage Pail Kids GPK Goes on Vacation and 2022 Chrome OS 4. Both sets have been changed to “May TBD” on their release calendar. Topps is down to six sets left from 2021 without release dates, two of those being the GPK sets. The sets have seen continues delays caused first by the Covid pandemic, and then high customer demand for trading cards. All companies industry wide have had trouble finding enough printers and materials to keep up with demand. Collectors should not follow distributor or online website release dates as most sellers are setting filler dates on “TBD” sets to the last Wednesday of each month. Stick to GPKNews for the latest updates.

Topps Reveals Print Run for Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion Set Week 1

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jeff

GPK collectors appear to be big fans of the 90’s. After ended earlier today, Topps revealed the print run for Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion Set Week 1. The set sold a total of 1,506 copies. That represents a number higher than many online sets sold in 2021. Based on the print run there will be 150 of each sepia parallel. With five more weeks to go, will collectors continue to feed their 90’s nostalgia.

Work Begins on 2022S1 Garbage Pail Kids Book Worms Sketches

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jeff

While Topps has still yet to release two GPK sets from 2021, work continues on the 2022 sets. Sketch artists began receiving sketch blanks this week from Topps for 2022S1 Garbage Pail Kids Book Worms. The number of sketches each artist is being asked to complete varies from artist to artist. Total number of sketches seem to be in line with previous releases, with an increase on shaped sketches and a decrease on panos and tryptych. Topps has given artists a very aggressive deadline of 5/2/22 to complete sketches, giving artists just over two weeks to finish. With the takeover of Topps by Fanatics, there are a couple of new rules artists have to follow. Artists can no longer sketch cards that have pee, poop, or blood on them. Any cards featuring racial stereotypes are also no longer allowed. While the racial stereotypes make sense, it’s a mystery why Fanatics would remove body fluids, a staple of GPK’s past.

As for the sketch cards themselves, the fronts feature blue banners on the panos, tryptych, and regular sketches, and Orange banners on the shaped sketches. The nameplate on the regular sketch is white this time. Topps is using classic original series characters on the sketch backs. Regular sketches have Brainy Janie, Panos have Nad Nerd, while Tryptych have Cranky Franky and 3-Dee. Once again, shaped sketches will comes in two varieties, trash can and the new open book shapes.

The total number of sketch artists for this set will be a slightly higher than what is confirmed for 2021S2 Vacation. Topps has a mix of current artists, returning artists, and even one new artist to GPK sketches. So far 55 of the 57 artists confirmed form the 2021S2 Vacation set have confirmed they are doing sketches for the Book Worms set. Set to return are; David Acevedo, Simone Arena, Andrew Artz, Rö García Astorga, Robert Ball, Bobby Blakey, Emma Burges, John Brewer, Neil Camera, Nik Castaneda, Slippa Chervascus, Daniel Contois, Jasmine Contois, Sobot Cortez, Jeff Cox, Jason Crosby, Vincenzo D’Ippolito, Dave Dabila, Adam Dobrzeniecki, Joey Fitchett, Dave Gacey, Shane Garvey, Patrick Giles, Kelly Greider, Jason Heil, Lowell Isaac, Robert Jimenez, Karl Jones, Rickey Kipfer, Mike McHugh, Rory McQueen, Chris Meeks, Lily Mercado, Rich Molinelli, Victor Moreno, Nik Muggli, Erik Muller, Barry Nygma, Jay O’leary, Justin Olson, Mark Parisi, Darrin Pepe, Todd Rayner, Cathy Razim, Chad Scheres, Brent Scotchmer, Bekki Jane Sharp, Brandhen Snyder, Mike Stephens, Floydman Sumner, Gregory Tilson, Greg Treize, Magnus Von Robotsson, Gavin Williams, and Clinton Yeager. After taking a break, Topps is bringing back artists Quinton Baker, Daniel Goodroad, Jon Monserrat and Matt Steffens for this set. Finally, Barry Nibert will be making his GPK debut. For different reasons, Pat Chaimuang and Pat Dobbins will not be working on the Book Worms set. This brings the current confirmed sketch artist total to 60 so far. This article will be updated as any additional artists come forward.

2022 Series 1 Garbage Pail Kids Book Worms is currently scheduled to hit stores on 7/27/22.

Topps Launches Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion Week 2

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jeff

Topps is moving forward with their expansion plans. Today the company launched Garbage Pail Kids We Hate the 90’s Expansion set week 2. This is the second of six planned weekly sets extending the popular retail set focusing on everything 90’s. This week’s set contains 10 cards, 5 new pieces with a/b versions. Each set ordered also comes with one sepia parallel card. Artists David Gross and Brent Engstrom did all the artwork for the set. The set can be purchased for $19.99. Shipping is free when choosing the Economy SmartPost option. The set will be available for 7 days on Topps.com. Here is this weeks checklist along with pictures of the cards.