Nostalgia is a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.
Artist: Wesley Morse (1897–1963)
Wesley Morse was an American cartoonist who is most famous for his creation of the Bazooka Joe comic strip for the bubble gum company Topps in 1953. He also created the Copa girl, which was the basis for the Copacabana logo. From 1954 on Topps released several series of Bazooka Joe episodes each year. It is generally known that Morse was chosen to draw the strip by Woody Gelman, Creative Director for Topps. Gelman knew of his legendary work on the Tijuana Bibles and had seen his comic strip work of the 20s and 30s and pin-up art of the 40s. Bazooka Joe, Pesty, Mort, Herman and The Gang have crossed many generations. Kids around the world have met them and enjoyed their silly antics while blowing big pink bubbles. Although their characterizations have changed over the years, the most memorable and sought-after Gang was the one created by Morse. It is his name, and his name alone, that is synonymous with Bazooka Joe.
The Life and Art of Wesley Morse
Bazooka Joe and His Gang: 60th Anniversary Collection 2013
Bazooka Joe and His Gang: 60th Anniversary Collection 2013
Wesley created Bazooka Joe and His Gang. He glorified the American Girl for the Ziegfeld Follies. He drew some of the infamous eight-pagers. His Copacabana logo, Latin Quarter menus, programs and pin-up art are instantly recognizable. He sipped bootlegged whiskey at speakeasies with Al Capone and Legs Diamond. His friends were welterweight boxer Barney Ross, actors George Raft and William Demarest, cartoonist Chic Young and columnist Walter Winchell. He dated women like hoofer Ruby Keeler, and showgirl Barbara Stanwyck who went on to movie stardom. He was known around the Manhattan nightclub scene as the debonair, soft-spoken artist who bought rounds of drinks for everyone when times were good. There were bad times, as well. Yet little is known about the artist/cartoonist Wesley Morse.
His personal story, and that of the stylish and decadent world of nightclubs and cabarets, are told through his artwork. What you see on these pages is a very small sampling of the work produced by one of the most influential and popular artists of his era, often called the J.D. Salinger of the art world because so little is known about him.
Bazooka Joe and His Gang: 60th Anniversary Collection 2013
Bazooka Joe and His Gang: 60th Anniversary Collection 2013
Bazooka Joe and His Gang: 60th Anniversary Collection 2013
Bazooka Joe and his Gang have been synonymous with bubble gum ever since their debut in 1953, providing an irresistible combination of cheap laughs wrapped around pink, sugary sweetness. This book celebrates the iconic mini-comics that are recognized the world over. The story of Bazooka Bubble Gum is also detailed with extensive essays, including a profile of Wesley Morse, the original illustrator of Bazooka Joe. Included are reproductions of more than 100 classic comics spanning six decades--including the complete first series, reprinted in its entirety for the first time--as well as jokes, fortunes, and tiny ads for mail-order merchandise. Like Bazooka Bubble Gum itself, the book is pure nostalgia and guaranteed to appeal to kids and adults alike. Includes 4 bonus trading cards and a genuine wax wrapper that evokes the original bubble gum packaging--like holding an actual piece of Bazooka in your hands Praise for Bazooka Joe and His Gang.
- "A sweet bubble of nostalgia." - The Wall Street Journal
- "It's a sweet treat for your inner kid." - Parade Magazine
- "A snappy new book, Bazooka Joe and His Gang looks at the history and heritage of one the world's most recognized candy icons and commemorates the 60th anniversary of its origins." - American Profile.com