Extremely honored and happy to be guest blogger on the Abrams ComicArts blog. I was asked to contribute the introduction to the official Bazooka Joe and His Gang book for the 60th anniversary of that iconic brand and it’s mini-comics. What’s most thrilling is the involvement and contributions of Wesley Morse’s son Talley! He’s written a revelatory preface and given us a glimpse of photos and art from his private collection. The book also features three never-before-published drawings from the Taylor-Morse Collection and the first-ever comprehensive bio of Morse written by daughter-in-law Nancy Morse and myself. It’s been an absolute dream project and is hopefully just the beginning of shining a much deserved light on mystery man Wesley Morse — Stay tuned!
Drawing by featured artist, Luis Perez Calvo!
QUE SABOR !! Pencil, acrylic on carboard. 30 x 75 cm. 2010
Guest blogger Kirk Taylor is the curator of the Taylor-Morse Collection and the great nephew of Avonne Taylor. An artist and writer, Kirk is currently completing work on the biography of Wesley Morse with co-author Nancy Morse. You can visit his website and follow him on twitter here @TaylorMorseArt.
Bazooka Joe is perhaps the most widely recognized confectionary icon in the world. Since the 1950s, Bazooka Bubble Gum has been distributed internationally, with the comics translated into 50 languages and sold in more than 100 countries. The character and brand have influenced artists and creators worldwide.
