This page is an attempt to document an obscure corner of Wacky Packages lore: an entire series of stickers that was left unpublished in 1992.
For information on the stickers you remember from the '70s and '80s, visit the most comprehensive resource on all things Wacky: Greg Grant's Wacky Packages Web Site.
Go to LostWackys.com, the "Home for Orphaned & Unpublished Wacky Packages", for more information on unreleased parody cards and stickers, and for up-to-the-minute news on Topps' latest Wacky offerings.
Following a 6-year period in which the irreverent Wacky Packages brand had lain dormant, The Topps Company released an all-new series of product parody stickers in 1991. The set contained 55 titles, including spoofs of Pez candy ("Prez"), Dunkin' Donuts ("Drunken Donuts"), and Domino's Pizza ("Donkey Nose Pizza").
The '91 series received at least two printings in the United States, as well as a run by Topps' Canadian licensee O-Pee-Chee in 1992. 
But Topps did not release a follow-up set, and several reasons have been advanced for this. The Wacky Packages Gallery claims that the 1991 Wacky series was eclipsed by the popularity of Topps' own Desert Storm cards that year. According to series editor Mark Newgarden in a 2002 interview, "the legal atmosphere was a little too dicey for them to keep doing that stuff. But it was mostly distribution," that spelled the end of Wacky Packages in the 1990s.
During the making of the '91 set, Topps had planned to release perhaps as many as two further series. But as artist John Pound reports on his web site, "Another Wacky Packages series scheduled for 1992 was nearly completed, when Topps halted production in mid-1991." With the cancellation of the 1992 series, the titles that were finished and in-progress at the time became what are known in collecting circles as "Lost Wackys".
The Wacky Packages Art section of John Pound's web site, which for some time was the principal source for information on the unpublished '90s Wackys, contains a list of abandoned titles that Pound worked on and scans of his pencil art for some of them.
Topps mined 13 titles that were intended for the 1990s sets for Wacky Packages All-New Series 1 (ANS1), released in May 2004. Another title became a bonus card in All-New Series 2 in 2005. Whether any of the remaining unpublished titles from the '90s will see the light of day in future series is uncertain. Some of the products that they lampooned no longer exist, or the packaging is now too different to be recognizable; others may not meet Topps' standards of what is appropriate for today's school-age children, the intended primary audience for their trading card sets.
Collectors have obtained copies of the art for some of the unused 1990s titles. It is possible that more of the unpublished '90s Wacky art will surface as Topps conducts further eBay auctions from its archives. Some of the work is still quite funny, and deserves to be rescued from obscurity.
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Tom Bunk painted 19 Wacky Packages card fronts and 21 coupon backs for the 1991 series. He painted at least 18 pieces for the 1992 set prior to its cancellation. Six of his unused '90s paintings eventually appeared in ANS1.
Jay Lynch wrote gags, drew rough sketches, and provided final art for many series of Wacky Packages, from the 1970s through the current All-New Series.
Mark Newgarden was the editor and one of the writers of the 1985 and 1990s-era Wacky Packages sets.
John Pound painted Wacky Packages for the 1985 and 1991 series and worked on at least twenty potential titles for the cancelled 1990s series, seven of which were finally published in 2004.
Frank Santopadre wrote gags for Topps in the '90s and has contributed to the All-New series of Wacky Packages and Garbage Pail Kids.
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It is likely that the Lost 1992 Series would have included 55 stickers, as in the previous year's set. It is not known how many were developed before the series was abandoned, but the titles in the drop-down list below were all potential '92 stickers.
Jump to a title:
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Some of John Pound's pencil drawings include notes in the margins that indicate the month and year in which they were drawn (such as "1-91") and—it is assumed—the order in which he drew them ("JP1", "JP2", etc.). Where this information is available, the titles have been organized accordingly.
- Mumps Shoes
- Status: Unpublished
- Parody Subject: Reebok Pumps sneakers
- Image: Pencil art on Pound's web site
- Image: Small color
scan of the finished art (courtesy of Joseph Smith)
- Artwork margin notes:
- Title: "MUMP SHOES"
- Number: JP1
- Date: 1-91
- Connections: The 1992 "Mumps" would have been the second parody of a Reebok product in a row, following 1991's "Reekboks"—perhaps demonstrating Topps' need to lean on companies who had not yet sent them cease and desist letters.
While there had never been a shoe parody in a Wacky Packages series prior to 1991, Topps had considered at least one in the 1970s: a spoof of Keds sneakers, "Sleds," as seen in a rough by Jay Lynch.
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- Gravestones
- Status: Published May 2004 in All-New Series 1
- Writer/Rough Artist: Frank Santopadre
- Parody Subject: Flintstones Vitamins
- Image: Pencil art on Pound's web site
- Artwork margin notes:
- Image: Published sticker
- Notes: The title "Gravestones" appeared on the preliminary checklist of ANS1 in February 2004. It was listed as:
- Base Sticker #13
- Clear Cling #10 of 15 [not released]
- Clear Cling #14 of 15 [repeat, not released]
The text on a "Gravestones" image found on Frank Santopadre's web site differs slightly from that of the ANS1 version of the sticker. The Santopadre version's (perhaps temporary) text is, "Your favorite stone age family is now extinct," whereas the printed sticker reads, "Your favorite stone age family has been extinct for 300,000 years."
Topps sold the finished art for "Gravestones" in an eBay auction that ran from July 17-24, 2004.
- Connections: Earlier in Wacky Packages history, Jay Lynch submitted a rough for a Flintstones Vitamins takeoff called "Gallstones" which was never produced as a sticker.
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- Sludgsicle
- Status: Published May 2004 in All-New Series 1
- Parody Subject: Fudgsicle Fudge Pops
- Image: Pencil art on Pound's web site
- Artwork margin notes:
- Image: Published sticker
- Notes: Starting in February 2004, "Sludgsicle" appeared in the promotional material for ANS1:
- On Topps' promotional folder
- As Base Sticker #47 on the preliminary checklist
- In Previews magazine's March 2004 edition, illustrating Topps' retailer solicitation for the series
- On Topps' web site announcement for the series (in the page header)
- As Promo card #2 of 3, released in Garbage Pail Kids ANS2 packs and elsewhere. The promo sticker was the same size as a standard trading card, but the Sludgsicle image was smaller than a typical Wacky to allow for the inclusion of the logo on the front of the card (and perhaps to distinguish a peeled promo from the later published sticker).
In February 2005, the "Sludgsicle" image also appeared as a licensed vending sticker.
Topps sold the finished art for "Sludgsicle" for $2650.00 in an eBay auction that ran from May 11-18, 2006.
- Connections: A "Sludgesicle" parody first appeared in the 1969 Wacky Ads series. Other Popsicle brands received the Wacky treatment: "Plopsikle" (series 5, 1973-1974) and "Screamsicle" (13th series, 1975).
Curiously, "Sludgsicle" is the second Wacky sticker to depict a waterfowl impaled on a stick and covered in brown goo: it was preceded by 1991's "Duck Bar".
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- Ghoul Talk
- Status: Unpublished
- Parody Subject: Girl Talk game
- Image: Pencil art on Pound's web site
- Artwork margin notes:
- Notes: Girl Talk was originally produced by Golden Books, hence the "GOLD IN our banks" logo on the pencil art. The game is now made by Hasbro/Milton Bradley with different packaging, so "Ghoul Talk" would most likely need to be updated if it were included in a future series.
- Connections: Hasbro/MB released a "Bratz" edition of Girl Talk; the Bratz dolls were the subject of the "Batz" sticker in ANS1.
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- Richie Retch comic book
- Status: Unpublished
- Parody Subject: Richie Rich comic book
- Image: Pencil art on Pound's web site
- Artwork margin notes:
- Images:
- Notes: The various Richie Rich comic book series (along with the rest of the Harvey comics titles) ceased publication in the mid 1990s, decreasing the likelihood that "Richie Retch" will appear in a future series.
- Connections: Topps' 5th series of Garbage Pail Kids included an unrelated "Richie Retch" gag, also painted by John Pound.
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- "The Little Barmaid" video
- Status: Unpublished
- Writer/Rough Artist: Frank Santopadre
- Parody Subject: Walt Disney's "The Little Mermaid" video
- Artwork margin notes:
- Title: "LITTLE BARMAID" VIDEO
- Number: (none)
- Date: 5-91
- Image: Copy of finished art, originally found on Frank Santopadre's web site
- Notes: Topps has eliminated parodies of liquor products in its 2004 sets, rendering this title an unlikely candidate for inclusion in a future series.
- Connections: Despite the apparent ban, the back of the "Bling Pup" sticker in ANS1 features a liquor-themed parody of America Online called "Americans OnWine"—the central image of which is recycled from the 12th series sticker "Barman Barroom Tissue."
The first Disney character to be lampooned in Wacky form was Bambi, in the 1991 "Bambo" sticker.
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- Scare Bears
- Status: Published December 2008 in Wacky Packages Flashback 2 ("Lost Wacky" card #70)
- Parody Subject: Care Bears "Rainy Day Activities" video
- Image: Printed card
- Artwork margin notes:
- WACKY PACKAGES 3
- Number: JP4
- Date: 6-91
- Connections: In the late 1980s, Topps attempted to capitalize on the success of their Garbage Pail Kids by tackling the Care Bears in a parody button series called Gross Bears. In 2004, a new Care Bears parody, "Who Cares? Bears", was conceived by Jay Lynch and painted by John Pound for ANS1.
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- Unlucky Dog dog food
- Status: Unpublished
- Writer/Rough Artist: Frank Santopadre
- Parody Subject: Lucky Dog dog food
- Image: Copy of finished art originally found on Frank Santopadre's web site
- Connections: "Unlucky Dog" would have joined a list of other Purina pet food take-offs in Wacky history: "Putrid Cat Chow" (2nd series, 1973), "Choke Wagon" (4th series, 1973), and "Yuppie Chow" (1991 series). Despite previous cease-and-desist letters over "Putrid" and "Choke Wagon", Ralston-Purina products were probably considered fair game for parody in the 1990s, since the company had sponsored a cereal premium promotion in conjunction with the 1982 Wacky Packages Album Stickers series.
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Held back from the 1991 set, the following titles could have appeared in the Lost 1992 Series:
- "Plop on Pop"
- Status: Published July 2005 in All-New Series 2
- Parody Subject: "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss
- Image: Pencil art on Pound's web site
- Artwork margin notes:
- Image: Larger image of "Plop on Pop" from the ANS1 promo folder
- Notes: This title may have been left out of the 1991 Series because there were already two Dr. Seuss parodies in that set ("One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Dead Fish" and "Rat in the Cat").
In February 2004, "Plop on Pop" appeared in promotional material for ANS1:
However, it was not released as a printed sticker in 2004. "Plop on Pop" was replaced on the checklist by another title, "Dead Bull", for reasons unknown.
"Plop on Pop" finally saw print as the Bonus Sticker (numbered B4) found in All-New Series 2 Bonus Boxes.
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- Antenmann's
- Status: Unpublished
- Writer/Rough Artist: Jay Lynch
- Parody Subject: Entenmann's cake
- Images:
- Notes: In February 2004, the title "Antenmann's" appeared on the ANS1 preliminary checklist as Base Sticker #39, "Antenman's [sic]." It was assumed in advance of the series' release that John Pound's art bearing the same name (listed for some time, though not pictured, on his web site) would be used. However, according to artist Jay Lynch, Topps could not find Pound's completed art for inclusion in ANS1. Therefore the "Antenmann's" title was repainted by Zina Saunders from a photocopy of Lynch's original rough. Saunders' version was used as both a sticker and vinyl cling (#6 of 9) in the 2004 set.
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- Rookie Crisp
- Status: Unpublished (pencils only, not painted)
- Parody Subject: (probably) Cookie Crisp cereal
- Connections: If this title was to be a parody of Cookie Crisp, then it had been preceded by the 1982 Wacky Packages Album Stickers series entry "Crookie Crisp." Topps partnered with the Ralston-Purina company that year to include stickers in specially-marked cereal boxes.
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Tom Bunk painted at least 18 titles for the unreleased 1992 series:
- Chimp Stick
- Status: Published May 2004 in All-New Series 1
- Parody Subject: Cherry Chap Stick lip balm
- Image: Published sticker
- Notes: Starting in February 2004, "Chimp Stick" appeared in the promotional material for ANS1:
- On Topps' promotional folder
- As a title on the preliminary checklist, where it was listed as:
- Base Sticker #8
- Clear Cling #13 of 15 [not released]
- On Topps' web site announcement for the series
(in the page header)
- On Topps' April 2004 promotional flyer (beat-up notebook with Wackys stuck on it, on green
background; also used as a magazine ad)
- On a Topps sell sheet (date unknown, similar to 4-page folder in design)
Topps sold the finished art for "Chimp Stick" in an eBay auction that ran from May 3-10, 2005. The art was originally attributed to John Pound in the auction text, but the Topps Vault added a correction.
The original painting contains a spelling error ("lips" is spelled "lipps") that was fixed during the production process; the error does not appear on the printed sticker.
- Connections: The original Chap Stick lip balm was spoofed as "Cheap Stick Lip Bomb" in 1975's 15th series. In addition, a rough for "Slap Stick" was once submitted by Jay Lynch, but never produced.
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- Coach Motel
- Status: Published May 2004 in All-New Series 1
- Parody Subject: Black Flag Roach Motel
- Notes: In February 2004, "Coach Motel" appeared in the first wave of articles (such as the 2/13 icv2.com piece) promoting Wacky Packages ANS1. In March, the title was published as Promo card #3 of 3, issued in Garbage Pail Kids ANS2 packs and elsewhere.
For weeks after the late May release of the 2004 series, it appeared that "Coach Motel" would not be included in the set in any form other than as the promo. However, the title finally showed up as the B2 sticker only available in a Bonus Box sold at Target and other outlets.
"Coach" replaced "Gooya" at the last minute, after Topps decided that the latter title was too insulting to the subject.
The Topps Vault sold the finished "Coach Motel" painting for $3383.33 in an eBay auction that ran from February 1-8, 2006.
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- Mr. Coffin
- Status: Published May 2004 in All-New Series 1
- Writer/Rough Artist: Frank Santopadre
- Parody Subject: Mr. Coffee filters
- Image: Published sticker
- Notes: Starting in February 2004, "Mr. Coffin" appeared in the promotional material for ANS1:
- On Topps' promotional folder
- As Base Sticker #14 on the preliminary checklist
- On Topps' web site announcement for the series (in the page header)
- As Promo card #2 of 3, released in Garbage Pail Kids ANS2 packs, Previews magazine, and elsewhere. The promo sticker was the same size as a standard trading card, but the "Mr. Coffin" image was smaller than a typical Wacky to allow for the inclusion of the logo on the front of the card (and perhaps to distinguish a peeled promo from the published 2004 sticker).
The "Mr. Coffin" promos can be found with two easy-to-miss variations on the back of the cards.
- On Topps' April 2004 promotional flyer (beat-up notebook with Wackys stuck on it, on green
background; also used as a magazine ad)
- On Topps' June 2004 magazine ad (1/3 page, vertical, with cards spread out from an open pack)
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The following titles are of 1990s vintage, but are not as well-documented as some of the titles above.
- Card backs
The backs of the 1992 cards would have contained checklists, puzzle pieces, and "crazy coupons." The subject of the puzzle(s) is not known (that may not have been determined before the series was cancelled), but parodies of Topps products were typically used for the puzzles to protect against having to replace one due to a cease & desist request.
John Pound illustrated 6 coupon parodies for the 1992 series, 5 of which were used as the backs of 2004 stickers:
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Greg Grant's Wacky Packages Web Page
Iron-Jaw Aaron's Parody Pages
LostWackys.com
Other Wacky Pages at hipsteria.com:
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I am grateful to the following people for their assistance in researching The Lost 1992 Series. Many of them frequent the Wacky Packages Forum:
- Joseph "helixbuilder" Smith - for the "Mumps Shoes" image
- Ernie "bandaches" de la Fuente - for the "Richie Retch" images
- Brian "BRUTE_88" Lambert - for the "Antenmann's" images
- Darryl "dth1971" Heine - for providing facts that draw connections between the Lost 1992 titles and other Wackys, published and unpublished
- Greg "char_boy" Grant - for hosting the Forum, providing information, and linking to this page. His dedication to the hobby made my work on this page infinitely easier
- John "ScaryLee" Frick - for gathering information from the artists
- John Mann - for his pioneering web site, which includes scans of Jay Lynch's roughs
- Mark "Buz" Best - for Wacky camaraderie, and for observations such as the link between the ducks on "Duck Bar" and "Sludgsicle"
- Rusty "Creep" Erpenbeck - for the "Richie Retch" card simulation
- Aaron "Barren Aaron" Booton, curator of Barren Aaron's Garbage Pail Kids References Guide - for providing the scans of Tom Bunk's 1992 art as well as supporting information
- Tom Bunk - for his friendly and generous response to my e-mails, and for sending me the master list of his Wacky art
- John Pound - for inspiring my research into the Lost 1992 series by posting his list of titles and images of his unpublished pencil art on poundart.com
— Fred "paste_anyplace" Wheaton
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