It's a little known fact that Joe was originally created by Woody Gelman and Ben Solomon, cartoonists who worked on the first animated versions of Popeye and Superman. The original Bazooka Joe was drawn as a typical kid of the 1950's, complete with rolled-up jeans and baseball cap. Beginning in the 1980's he was redrawn as a modern-day teenager to reflect the lifestyles of a new generation of Bazooka fans. In 1996, Craig Yoe, former Creative Director for Jim Henson's Muppets, was commissioned to revamp Joe's image again, turning his famous baseball cap backwards and outfitting him with baggy jeans and a skateboard. As a result, the word YOE! is inscribed on all versions of Yoe's comics, many of which are still in circulation today.

Much debate has surrounded Bazooka Joe's widely-recognizable eye patch. But despite popular belief, Joe is not visually impaired, nor is he the lovechild of Blondie and Captain Hook. According to company lore, Bazooka Joe began sporting the classic eye patch to make himself look interesting and "distinctive," much like the models in the popular 1950's Hathaway Shirt advertisements Joe's eye patch intentionally satirized. Since then, Bazooka Joe has experienced countless comic adventures, from intergalactic space travel to visits from Shakespeare and Picasso. Bazooka Joe's popularity has inspired a band, a DJ, and even a cocktail all bearing the name Bazooka Joe.

And let's not forget about Joe's wacky friends! Free spirit Mort, with his classic turtleneck sweater pulled up to his nose, has been Joe's best friend since the very beginning. The pair started hanging out with spikey-haired Metaldude, Ursula the body builder, and Joe's shop-a-holic girlfriend Zena in 1989, and in 1996 the Gang grew to include blues guitarist A.J. and animal lover Kara. This fun-loving group of teens is guaranteed to make you crack a smile every time you unwrap a piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum.

The fortunes on the bottom of every comic have become as legendary as the Bazooka characters themselves. From words of wisdom such as "Your success is only limited by your desire" and "Today is tomorrow's yesterday. Make it count" to quirky, corny puns like "It's time to make an important change. Start with your socks," Joe's advice is timeless and hard to ignore.

Thanks in part to Bazooka Joe, the Topps Company sells half a billion pieces of Bazooka Bubble Gum every year - that's 16 pieces per second! In fact, psychological studies show that Bazooka Bubble Gum is one of the most frequently identified "smell memories." While baby boomers still have fond memories of Bazooka from their childhood, a whole new generation of bubble blowers have come to enjoy Bazooka Joe and his kooky antics. And at fifty years young, Joe will likely be inspiring chuckles and giggles in Bazooka lovers everywhere for years to come.

The Topps Company is an international marketer of confectionery and entertainment products. Founded in 1938, Topps created Bazooka Bubble Gum?in 1947 and marketed its first baseball cards in 1951. The Topps line of confections has grown to include the popular lollipop brands Ring Pop? Push Pop?and Baby Bottle Pop? as well as Juicy Drop Pop?and other novelty candy and gum products.