Rumor has it that Bazooka bubble gum will no longer come with Bazooka Joe comic strips.

What a shame. Those corny jokes were a perfect match with that sickeningly sweet hunk of pure pink pleasure.

Since the early 1950’s, the itty-bitty Bazooka Joe comics were a great American treasure surpassed only by actual treasure. Oh well, life goes on. (Except for Bazooka Joe, I mean.)

With just one eye, having lost the other in a bizarre bubble-blowing accident, Bazooka Joe follows in the grand tradition of one-eyed characters like Popeye, Nick Fury, Agent of Shield, and the Hathaway shirt guy.

Bazooka Joe as an adult

So many anonymous artists and writers labored over these tiny panels through the years, including Roy Lichtenstein and William Faulkner. [Note to self: remember to research the names of actual writers and artists to replace these place-holder names.]

Bazooka Joe’s gang consisted of equally strange and wonderful characters like Pesty (aka Orville), Jane, Hungry Herman and of course, Mort with the red turtleneck covering his face. Like Maynard G. Krebs and Illya Kuryakin before him, Mort outshone the star of the strip on more than one occasion.

On previous Tuesdays we’ve presented songs related to comic books, comic strips and animated cartoons. This is the first time we’ve shared a song about a gum wrapper character. And since Christmas is coming, you get TWO presents. A Bazooka Joe song AND a Bazooka Joe Christmas song. You’re welcome.

Before we get to the music, let’s enjoy some classic comics.

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Click the link below and enjoy these tributes to Bazooka Joe.

The B Foundation - Bazooka Joe!

The Fleshtones - Christmas With Bazooka Joe