Yep it’s time to remember that somewhat rancid taste of dry pink bubble gum again as we dive headfirst into another batch of Topps’ parody cards that were designed to make our parents question our mental stability as we snickered our way through collectable (and trade-able) pulp-culture parody cards.

In this case of course I mean the brilliantly executed lampoon of all the household brands we were surrounded with: Wacky Packages. Much like the Garbage Pail Kids that played such a large part of my early descent into horror, the point of these wonderful parody cards were to make us giggle and scare the living daylights out of our parents thinking we were semi-deranged.

Originally published in 1967 and brought back numerous times in different series, I have collected some of the most “horrifically” funny examples I could find.   It’s so easy to see how these were a childhood gateway to more intense intense images later in life.

These cards still bring a smile to my face with all their gory parody greatness….do you remember any of these?

 

birdseyesappletacksblubberlicionscompost-itchbitoharyforcefedpizzacreepscreaturecrackersgravepuponfrothingflakesdunkindoughnutsfright_castblehostilethinkieshairyleehoneytomblicecakeskentuckyfriedfinderslogcaveinsyrupmilkdeadsminutelicemikeandyikeskilla_wafersmummiesrotten tomatoessewerpatchkidsmirkywayplayskulltrollhouse cookiessic_blooksticsnotsviewmonstertragedyann

The cards had a puzzle piece on the back that usually created an exclusive special scare as well.  I wish I could say I was a consistent enough collector that I ever accomplished that challenge.    Did you ever complete one of the series puzzles?  I can’t find these around much anymore, but I like to believe these are still as close as that corner 7/11 I used to visit almost every day.

 

About the Author

Victoria Susan (Vicks She/Her) is a lifelong horror fan. She also grew up in the amazing period of time in Southern California when Knott's Halloween Haunt was a regular event and became a true fan of the art and artistry of the haunt community. LGBTQIA+ you used to find her most every fall chasing Norm around with a Video Camera as Horrorbuzz.com's Video Director. Now relocated to Orlando, Florida - where the mazes are houses she enjoys the theme-park scares on the other coast. Still with a video camera in her hand.