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Adam F. Goldberg, Not Art Spiegelman, on a Garbage Pail Kids Origin Comic

Published Tue, 19 Jul 2022 07:58:15 -0500

Last updated Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:42:10 -0500

Clearly, it is a story that has been aching for years to be told. What is the origin of the Garbage Pail Kids? Well, Dynamite Entertainment is going to publish that story in comic book form in October, from The Goldbergs' creator Adam F. Goldberg, alongside Hans Rodionoff and Jeff Zapata. But sadly, not the person who actually gave the Garbage Pail Kids their origin.

Because the trading card/sticker series from 1985 that parodied Cabbage Patch Dolls and became a source of controversy for their satirical and gross nature, were actually created by the man Pulitzer Prize-winning comic book creator of Maus, Art Spiegelman, who came up with the idea at Topps after the success of his earlier creations Garbage Can-dy and Wacky Packages. Art Spiegelman, seriously.

The iconic Garbage Pail Kids go back nearly 40 years and have been a beloved, colorful cast of characters for trading card collectors and other media including comic books. Each GPK stands out with some kind of gross, horrific, or downright bizarre appearance, abilities, or situation. But in all those years, the backstories on how these kids became who they are has never been disclosed to the fans. Until now…

The insane minds of Adam F. Goldberg, Hans Rodionoff, and Jeff Zapata have joined forces to bring everyone the Garbage Pail Kids as they've never seen them before, flipping the table with a barrage of huge revelations. Chronicled in the style of a sprawling superhero epic, not only will the curtain be drawn back on the origins of these unique "heroes," but there's one crazy surprise at the crux of this story. Adam Bomb and his allies were instrumental in the outcome of World War II and the fate of humanity itself! Other key fan-faves featuring include Roy Bot, Brainy Janie, Snooty Sam, and more!

Issue one kicks off with Adam Bomb's early days as an unassuming, flat-footed soda jerk. Then thanks to an unfortunate radiation leak, he transforms into the All-American superhero he's known as to GPK fans around the world. He will need to assemble a team of other "enhanced" garbage kids to take down the axis of evil with Nasty Nick at the helm. Readers can expect to catch up with some of the biggest stars of the GPK world, as well as keep their eyes out for some cult favorites thanks to the devoted creative team's passion for the property.

Much of the initial genesis of the origins concept goes back to ideas and illustrations from artist Jeff Zapata. He's worked in the comics and trading card business for over 25 years, including nearly half that time as an editor, art director, and artist on the Garbage Pail Kids and other Topps franchises. His drawings hinting at these origins ideas went viral among the fanbase, spreading like wildfire, and leading to this project finally coming to life. For this series, Zapata is handling art direction, contributing art, and assisted in developing the story. He's joined by Chris Meeks on the artwork throughout the series.

He's joined by a powerful pair of experienced, top-notch writers in Adam F. Goldberg and Hans Rodionoff. Goldberg, also known for his producing in film and television, is the eponymous man behind the hit The Goldbergs show now on to its 10th season. He's also worked on How to Train Your Dragon, Monsters vs. Aliens, the all-new Muppets series, and prior contributions to GPK. Rodionoff is known for his historical fiction account of H.P. Lovecraft for Vertigo, Lost Boys, and collaborations with Goldberg on Muppets and a new Damage Control series for Marvel.

"One of the most vivid memories of my childhood is walking into my second grade class to find everyone gathered around a binder. And in that binder — Garbage Pail Kids," shared Adam F. Goldberg. "As the class clown, I was immediately hooked by the gallows humor and gross out gags."

"This idea has been a personal pet project of mine for years," said Jeff Zapata. "This project is the perfect package of talent collaborating to fulfill a common vision to do something wild and different with a classic brand."

"I think what's exciting for me is that this book will hopefully entertain the diehard fans, but also might be the first GPK book that people who aren't already fans of the universe will pick up and it will open their minds to the wonderfully weird world of the Garbage Pail Kids," said Hans Rodionoff

"Adam F. Goldberg, Hans Rodionoff, Jeff Zapata, and the whole rest of the creative team on this project are so darn talented," said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. "They truly know, understand, and appreciate these characters so much, and are perfect to bring this origin story to life. In 40 years that tale has never been told before, and we're excited at Dynamite to be the company to do it!"

In the style of the original trading cards having A and B variations, the first issue features variant covers by artists Ray Lago, Tom Bunk, Jeff Zapata, and a presentation of one of the classic trading card images.

Seriously, someone at least ask Spiegelman to do a cover… Garbage Paul Kids: Origins #1 will be published in October.