Bazooka
Product typeBubble gum
Owner
CountryUnited States
Introduced1947 (1947)
MarketsWorldwide
Previous owners
Websitebazookajoe.com

Bazooka is an American brand of bubble gum that was introduced in 1947.[1] It is a product of "Bazooka Candy Brands" (BCB), which was a division of The Topps Co. until the latter’s acquisition by Fanatics, Inc. in 2022.[2][1]

In October 2023, it was announced that Apax Partners had completed the acquisition of BCB and its product portfolio.[3]

History

Bazooka bubble gum was first marketed shortly after World War II in the U.S. by the Topps Company of Brooklyn, New York. The gum was probably named after the rocket-propelled weapon developed by the U.S. army during the war, which itself was named after a musical instrument.

The bubble gum was packaged in a red, white, and blue color scheme and originally sold for 1 penny. Beginning in 1953, Topps changed the packaging to include small comic strips with the gum, featuring the character "Bazooka Joe". There are over 1,535 different "Bazooka Joe" comic-strip wrappers to collect.[4] Also on the comic strip is an offer for a premium and a fortune.[5] Older Bazooka Joe comic strips were larger in size and are no longer available.

Bazooka bubble gum package

In addition to "Original", Topps eventually included the flavors "Strawberry Shake," "Cherry Berry," "Watermelon Whirl," and "Grape Rage." Bazooka bubble gum also makes sugar-free flavors such as "Original" and a "Flavor Blasts" variety, claimed to have a longer-lasting, more intense taste. Bazooka bubble gum comes in two different sizes.

Bazooka bubble gum is sold in many countries, often with Bazooka Joe comic strips translated to the local language. Bazooka gum is sold in Canada with cartoons in both English and French, depending upon the city. In Israel, it is manufactured under license by Elite in the company's factory in Nof HaGalil; the cartoons are written in Hebrew.

In Spain, it was sold under the name "Chicle Bazoka" (with only one "o") starting in the mid-1960s and featuring the Bazooka Joe strips. One of the publicity slogans was "Chicle bazoka, siempre en la boca" (Bazooka gum, always in the mouth). Rhymes were a popular publicity trick at the time.[6]

In 2012, Bazooka Candy Brands announced they would no longer include comics, instead using brain-teasing puzzle wrappers in an attempt to modernize the brand.

In Argentina, sales continue with the comics in Spanish using the name "Yo amo Bazooka" (I love Bazooka). Topps lists all information about all of its Bazooka Candy brands through its website Candymania.[7]

In April 2019, the company announced the launch of the Bazooka Throwback pack.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Newman, Andrew Adam (November 29, 2012). "Change Comes to Playground Funny Papers". New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Press Release: CandyMania : Bazooka Candy Brands". Cision PR Presswire. November 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Apax completes acquisition of Bazooka". International Confectionery. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  4. ↑ "Bazooka Joe and his Gang". Bubblegum Comics. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  5. ↑ "1950s Topps Bazooka Bubble Gum Salesman's Sample Archives (with 112 uncut Bazooka Comic Sample Proof Sheets!)". Robert Edward Auctions, LLC. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011.
  6. ↑ "CHICLE BAZOKA UN NÚMERO 1" [BAZOKA GUM IS NUMBER 1]. El Kiosko de Akela (in Spanish). February 19, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Nostalgic Candy, Drops, Gum, Lollies & Push Up Pops". CandyMania. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Bazooka launches Throwback pack featuring original comics". Candy Industry. April 5, 2019. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Bazooka Joe And His Gang Are Back With New Bazooka® Bubble Gum Throwback Pack" (Bazooka Candy Brands). Cision PR Newswire. April 4, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
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