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Philly Non-Sports Show to Focus Again on GPK/Wackys

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Jeff

Just like clockwork, the next Philly Non-Sports Card Show is coming up in just under six weeks. This will be the 70th show, and much like the 69th, the show will once again focus on Garbage Pail Kids and Wacky Packages. The show takes place in the Merchants Square mall in Allentown, PA twice a year. The spring show is scheduled for the weekend of May 4-5, 2019. The show is the largest non-sports card show in the US and features dealers selling a wide variety of non-sport products.

Once again, there is a stellar lineup of current and former GPK artists scheduled to attend. The group is led by original series artist Tom Bunk, and also includes previous attendees Fred Wheaton, Jeff Zapata, and Mark Pingitore. Three newcomers to Philly will also attend including original series artist James Warhola, Neil Camera, and Vincenzo “Chenduz” d’Ippolito. Chenduz will be making his first east coast appearance all the way from the Netherlands. There is a lot of history and knowledge from OS and ANS days. All the artists will be on hand selling original art, prints, sketches, cards, and more. Show goers will also receive a promo card from Magic Marker Inc. (Pingitore). Prior to the show opening on Sunday there will be an artist chat. Be sure to register with the show prior to the chat. This is a great opportunity for collectors on the east coast to meet and support their favorite artists.

As with all Philly shows, there will of course be promo cards. The theme from the previous show will carry over to this show as well. All show attendees will receive a card from Brent Engstrom. The card is a different version of the Toser the Destroyer card from the previous show. This card will have a slightly different background, be numbered 1b, and named Roxanne Recon. Show goers attending Saturday and Sunday will receive a different card from Neil Camera each day as well. The usual Saturday night dinner will take place at the Ratz room inside the show hotel the Hilton Garden Inn. All guests attending the dinner will receive the next two official Topps promo cards, #3 & #4, in the Philly Non-Sport set. These two cards, one GPK and one Wacky, were painted by Layron DeJarnette and Chenduz and feature a spring theme this time. Dinner attendees will also receive a special card painted by Tom Bunk. The cost of the dinner is $19.95. Tickets are almost sold out for the show dinner, so act fast to reserve your seat! To reserve your spot contact Roxanne Toser at [email protected].

The Philly Non-Sports show is a show geared not only for collectors but for families as well. The first 20 kids into the show will receive a package including an assortment of stickers and cards to get their collection started. Show organizers are also planning a box break of GPK and/or Wacky’s. Participants purchasing a spot in the break will be randomly assigned a number to to pick special cards from the break. Show tickets are available for $8 per day, or a two day pass for $14. The show will be open from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday 5/4, and 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday 5/5. East coast collectors this is your change to chat with artists and fellow collectors in person. For more information on the show check out their website.

Collectors & Artists Enjoy Another Gross Card Con

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Jeff

The third annual Las Vegas Gross Card Con was held last weekend at the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas. Collectors and artists from around the world ascended on Vegas to reacquaint with buddies, meet new friends, and get all the Garbage Pail Kids they can handle. This years show was the biggest yet with a staggering 18 current and former GPK artists in attendance. There were also plenty of GPK focused activities for collectors and artists alike. Perhaps the highlight for most in attendance was just being able to hang out with their fellow collectors and artists they chat with on a daily and/or weekly basis online.

This years Las Vegas ToyCon was held in the event center of the Westgate Casino. This was the best setup, by far, of the three Las Vegas shows. The entire show was held in one room. This made things a lot better for everyone involved and allowed the general ToyCon guest to easily find the GCC area. The 12 regular artists who attend GCC were located in their own section of the show, complete with an archway banner letting everyone know they were entering GCC. The new sketch artists who were attending for the first time were in artist’s ally in the adjoining isles. Clint Coleman’s GPK & Wacky Warehouse booth was right outside the entrance to GCC.

As usual the biggest highlight of the show for collectors is seeing all the artists. OS artist Tom Bunk was once again the headlining artist at the show. He was offering his new GPK dollhouse print for sale at the show, and it proved to be a big hit. The Gross Card Con sketch shirts being offered by Joe Simko and Jeff Zapata were also a popular item for collectors. Sales of the shirts with sketches kept both artists busy the entire show sketching at their booth. In fact a majority of the artists spent a lot of time working on commissions at the show. Another highlight from the show was David Gross’ third GPK Rejects book. Each book comes with a sketch and is filled with pages of great gags that were not used by Topps. Jon Gregory’s black canvas paintings were suburb to look at in person. It wasn’t just GPK merchandise that was selling well either. Both Michael Barnard and Chad Scheres were busy at their booths selling a number of their own original creations. Mark Pingitore also had all the Magic Marker Art items, including new magnets and promos cards for upcoming sets. In addition all sic of the first time artists attending seemed to really enjoy themselves, not only meeting collectors, but also meeting their fellow artists.

Another large part of this year’s show was Topps finally acknowledging the show existed. While Topps didn’t attend in person, they did allow one of David Gross’ unused 90’s gags to be created as promo cards. There were a number of ways to obtain both promo cards at the show, and they were a popular item for collectors. In addition Topps promoted GCC on both their GPK Facebook page, and the Topps Twitter account on Friday. This acknowledgment is a huge advancement for Topps, and shows collectors that there may be some change afoot with the brand.

There were also plenty of special GPK themed events for collectors during the show. All three days of the show featured a Scavenger Hunt. Clint Coleman would hide some exclusive ToyCon cards, sketch cards, and other goodies around the hotel for collectors to find. Saturday morning was the VIP breakfast with the artists. Many of the artists attneded with collectors who were SuperVIPs or purchased the breakfast. This setting allowed collectors a chance to talk with artists through a meal. Attendees to the breakfast also received a set of Topps Promo cards, and a special Adam Bomb decorated cookie from Joe Simko. Later that morning brought on the usual card chat with the artists. This year’s chat started off with Jago Studios CEO Stuart Drexler. He gave a quick 10 min. presentation on GPK the Game. He shared some of the game mechanics, what items they were focusing on, and general developments on the dame. He also handed out an exclusive GPK the Game sticker to collectors on Friday and Saturday at the show. That left only a minimal amount of time with the artists. While there wasn’t a lot of new information to share, the artists did mention they were working on some projects that they thought would really push the brand forward. Unfortunately, they were unable to share any additional information about unannounced products. GPKNews was in attendance, you can find video of the card chat here.

This year’s Vegas Gross Card Con ended up being a solid show for all involved. This was the best and cleanest hotel that show has been in to date. As mentioned above the show layout, while not perfect, was also the best its been. Next time not closing off the GCC area would lead to more general ToyCon foot traffic for the artists. In speaking with the artists at this years, show the vibe was it was a good show. Most artists made money, with a couple saying they had their best show day ever on Friday. The show ended up being a positive experience for almost all the artists. Every collector I spoke with really enjoyed the show. I think every collector will tell you the same thing. While it’s great to see all the cool items available, the highlight of the show is hanging out with friends you talk to throughout the year. This show brings a couple of hundred of your closest hobby friends together. If you haven’t attended a Vegas GCC show before, start planning now for next year, you will not be disappointed.

Check out a bunch of pictures from the show. Thanks to collector Jason Bryant for sharing some of his pictures as well!

Details on Show Exclusive Cards to be Offered at Gross Card Con

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Jeff

We are just three weeks away from the next Gross Card Con. This year’s show is part of the Vegas Toy Con, held at the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas from March 1-3. Once again, the show will offer an exclusive card set created by the artists. That’s not all! There will also be Scavenger Hunt cards, and an official Topps promo card available at the show. Clint Coleman from GPK & Wacky Warehouse produces all the show exclusive cards. He shared with GPKNews all the details around this year’s cards. Read on to find out what will be offered.

As announced last week by artist David Gross, there will be an officially licensed Topps promo card for the first time at Gross Card Con. The Married With Children parody will come in both an a and b version. Show goers will have a few options to obtain these cards. 1) VIPs will automatically receive both versions of the card at their VIP Saturday breakfast. 2) Purchase the glossy show exclusive set (see details below) and receive both cards. Each set purchased will receive both cards, there is a limit of two sets per customer, per day of the show. 3) Attend the artist Q&A session. The first 50 people to attend the Q&A session will receive one card, (a or b). The artist Q&A is scheduled to take place at 11:00 AM Saturday at the show.

This year’s show exclusive set will be an extra large 24 card set featuring artwork from 12 different artists. The set has two themes, 12 unpublished gags, and 12 toys. David Gross did three paintings for the set, Layron DeJarnette did one, and Tom Bunk, Brent Engstrom, Joe Simko, Joe McWilliams, Mark Pingitore, Jeff Zapata, Michael Barnard, Chenduz, Chad Scheres, and Jon Gregory did two each. The set will be available in two different versions, Glossy and Canvas. Each set will be limited to 100 available to purchase at the show. The print run of the Glossy set is 250, with the remaining cards being given to show promoters, artists, and to be sold after the show. The Glossy set will cost $50, while the Canvas set will be $40. There will be a special show promotion, you can purchase both sets for $80. VIP holders will receive a Glossy set as part of their package. While the Canvas set won’t come with any extras, the Glossy set will come with the Topps promo cards and a chance at pulling a special show redemption. Redemptions will fall roughly 1:5 sets, and include a chance to get a sketch card from one of the 12 artists from the set, merchandise credits from GPK & Wacky Warehouse, or a large medal art card printed by Faeire Metal company. Only glossy sets purchased at the show will receive the Topps promo cards and have a chance at a redemption. Sets will be available for purchase from the GPK & Wacky Warehouse booth at the show. The artists have revealed some of their cards for the set. Here is a gallery showing many of the cards.

Finally, there will be a GPK Scavenger Hunt during the show. Four Topps sketch artists attending the show, Shane Garvey, Barry Nygma, David Acevedo, and Shawn Cruz all painted a card to be used during the hunt. The four cards will be hidden around the show venue throughout the weekend. The artists will also have copies of the cards available at their booth. VIP holders will also receive all four cards in their package. Here are a couple of examples of the scavenger hunt cards.

These are just the cards show promoters have planned for the show. Each artist has so much more planned for this year’s Gross Card Con. GPKNews will have another article just before the event showing many of the goodies available from each artist. If you haven’t booked your room yet, now is your chance!

GPK Collectors to Descend on Philly Non-Sports Card Show

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Jeff

Do you like Garbage Pail kids and Wacky Packages? Will you be in the Philadelphia/Allentown area this weekend? Then you need to make time to stop by the largest and longest running Non-Sports Card show in the US. The biannual Philly Non-Sports Card show is ready for collectors from around the country to pay a visit. The show is focusing on GPKs and Wacky Packages over their next two events, starting with this weekend’s show. Those attending the show have a lot to look forward to.

The artist lineup is a strong one. Set to attend are Tom Bunk, David Gross, Joe Simko, Smokin’ Joe McWilliams, Layron DeJarnette, and Chad Scheres. The artists will have plenty of original GPK and Wacky art, prints, sketches, and merchandise available for sale. There will be a card talk prior to the show opening on Sunday morning. Those who have already reserved a space will have a chance to to ask questions of their favorite artists.

The traditional Saturday dinner is sold out. Collectors attending the dinner are in for a treat. GPK and Wacky artist Smokin Joe McWiliams will be the guest speaker during dinner. There will also be prizes given out at dinner from Creepy Co, Fright Rags, and Chad Scheres. Attendees will also get two exclusive Topps licensed promo cards. The Halloween themed cards are painted by Joe Simko (GPK) and Fred Wheaton (Wacky). The cards will be numbered #1 & #2, with #3 and #4 coming at next year’s spring show. While show organizers are keeping the art under wraps until Saturday’s dinner, they are showing another card that will be given exclusively to dinner attendees. Tom Bunk created the Wacky Garbage Kids parody card for the dinner.

The promo cards don’t stop there. All show attendees will also received a new Horrorible Kids promo card from Mark Pingitore, as well as the Toser the Destroyer card done by Brent Engstrom. There will also be plenty of other non-sports promo cards given out at the show. Show organizers are also planning a special drawing on Saturday for all kids under 12 years old. Kids will receive near completed sets, and will be encouraged to trade at the show to complete their sets.

There will be many other booths that specialize in selling non-sports cards. This show has a different vibe than the Gross Card Con shows, which are primarily a toy show. If you live within driving distance you need to find some time to attend the show with the whole family. The show is set to take place this weekend at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, PA. The show will be open on Sat. Oct. 20 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Sun. Oct. 21 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

NYCC Offers Collectors a Bounty of GPK Goods

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Jeff

The New York Comic Con starts today, and much like previous years Garbage Pail Kids collectors have a lot to keep their eyes open for. Topps is leading things off with a weekend full of GPK goodness. There is a new 40 card GPK X Stranger Things parody set being offered at the show. The set is available in two separate 20 card packs, “a” and “b” packs for $19.99. Everyone buying both sets can get one special bonus card each day of the show. So there are a total of four different bonus cards available. Topps said there is a limit of one set per person per day of the show. Topps will also have sets available without the bonus cards in their online store after the show is over. (Thanks to GeePeeKay and KeWe for pictures!)

Topps will have GPK artist Joe Simko on hand signing autographs from 1:30 – 2:30 at their booth, #454. Topps will also be passing out an Oh the Horror-ible promo card at their booth Saturday to collectors. The card is based off the Jack Lagoon (#10a Classic Film Monsters) from the new retail set.

Toy Tokyo will be offering a special metallic version of the Adam Bomb Funko Pop! The figure will be limited to 3000 copies, and should go quickly.

Anyone who hasn’t picked up a copy of the excellent 30 Year of Garbage documentary will have a chance to buy the Director’s Cut from booth #2312.

Finally Kawaii Cubes will have a few of their plush GPK toys they released last year at their booth, #243.

Topps Announces GPK Stranger Things Set for NYCC

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Jeff

Topps today announced its plans for this weekend’s New York Comic Con. Topps will have its usual presence and will be promoting many of its card brands. Among those will be Garbage Pail Kids. Topps announced there will be a special parody set of Garbage Pail Kids Stranger Things. All 20 cards were painted by artist Joe Simko. The 40 card set will be available in two separate 20 card “a” name and “b” name sets. Each set will be available at the show for $19.99. Collectors purchasing both A & B sets will also receive a special promo card only available at the show. Topps also said the GPK Stranger Things sets will be available for purchase on topps.com, without the promo card.

Topps also announced that Joe Simko will be in the Topps booth on Saturday from 1:30 – 2:30 signing autographs. Topps also announced they will be passing out a GPK promo card on Saturday. They have not revealed the card as of yet.

Lots of fun stuff in store for GPK collectors at this weekend’s NYCC!

Philly Non-Sports Card Show to Focus on GPK/Wackys

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Jeff

In just over six weeks Garbage Pail Kids collectors on the East Coast will have an opportunity to mingle with some of their favorite GPK artists. The biannual Philly Non-Sports Card Show will once again be ready for collectors on October 20 & 21. The Philly show is the oldest non-sports card show in the country. The upcoming show in October will be the 69th Philly show. The show, which is actually not in Philadelphia but instead in Allentown, PA, takes place at the Merchants Square Mall. With each Philly show there is a focus on a certain non-sports brand. Show organizers are going all out, with the next two Philly Non-Sports shows being GPK and Wacky Packages focused.

The artist line up for upcoming show has six top notch current and former GPK artists. Former original series artist Tom Bunk will lead a group which includes current artists; David Gross, Joe Simko, Smokin’ Joe McWilliams, Layron DeJarnette, and Chad Scheres. The artists will all be on hand selling original art, prints, stickers, cards, and more. Show goers will receive a promo card created by Mark Pingitore. On Sunday, prior to the show opening, there will be a Card Talk panel discussion with all the artists. All the artists are happy to meet the fans. This is a great time to get some quality time with your favorite artist, and help support their art.

With the show focus being on GPK and Wacky Packages, there will be some promo cards available. First off, all attendees to the show will receive a promo card painted by Brent Engstrom. Second, everyone attending the Saturday night show dinner at the Airport Hilton Garden Inn will receive two Halloween themed cards, (one GPK, one Wacky), painted by Joe Simko and Fred Wheaton. The cards will be numbered #1 and #2 in a set. Tom Bunk will also paint a card for dinner attendees. The dinner will be limited to 64 attendees only, and will cost $17.95 per person. Topps has chipped in with a generous donation to help with the artists and to reduce the cost for collectors attending the Saturday night dinner. Smokin’ Joe McWilliams is set to be the guest speaker at the dinner. There will also be prizes from Creepy Co. and Fright Rags. Dinner tickets will sellout. To reserve your spot contact Roxanne Toser at [email protected].

As mentioned above, the focus on GPK/Wackys doesn’t stop with the October Philly show. The 70th Philly Non-Sports show will share the same focus. Show organizers already have a number of things planned for the show taking place on May 4 & 5, 2019. The artists scheduled to attend are Tom Bunk, Mark Pingatore, Fred Wheaton, Jeff Zapata, James Warhola, Neil Camera, and one more TBD. In order to help defray costs for the artists attending the show, they are looking for people to sponsor artists for $250. A couple more sponsorships are available. Sponsors will receive a full color sketch from the artist they sponsor. If interested in sponsoring an artist e-mail Roxanne Toser. The May 2019 show will also feature the next two promo cards in the show dinner set. The cards, #3 & #4, will feature a spring theme and be painted by Layron DeJarnette and Chenduz.

The Philly Non-Sports show features a much different vibe than a Gross Card Con show. With a more relaxed atmosphere, the show floor features nothing but tables selling various non-sport cards. This includes of course a number sellers with GPK merchandise. The show hotel is the Airport Hilton Garden Inn, and a special show rate of $97 is available. Show tickets are available for $8 per day, or a two day pass for $14. The show will be open from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday 10/20, and 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Sunday 10/21. East Coast collectors, don’t miss your chance to meet your favorite GPK artists.