01. Cocoa Pups

• Published Date:  December 2005
• Parody Subject:  General Mills Cocoa Puffs cereal
• Concept Writer/Artist:  David Gross
• Painter:  David Gross

Art Stages

Rough Concept Drawing The principal elements of David Gross's playful send-up of Cocoa Puffs cereal were present in the rough sketch stage. The perspective on the box was later changed to make the top visible, allowing room for an additional gag; and some of the jokes suggested on the rough were replaced on the painting. In the final piece, the doppelganger of Sonny the Cuckoo Bird gained blue eyelids and a pot belly with a Band-Aid, while the feathers on his head were plucked.

Final Painting The richness of this painting was weakened by Topps' production process, which lightened it and pitched the hues into the yellow range. Sharp-eyed observers have noted that the tail of a fifth puppy can be seen beyond the edge of the bowl. The Topps Vault sold the finished art for "Cocoa Pups" for $2,832.22 in an eBay auction which ran from September 19 - 26, 2006.

Printed Card

Card Front & Back The Top Right (TR) piece of the "Cap'n Crutch" puzzle is found on the back of "Cocoa Pups."