Joe Simko Exclusive Interview: Unveiling the Creative Secrets of the Illustration Master Behind the 80s Trading Card Sensations, Garbage Pail Kids and Cereal Killers!

2024-03-11 16:31:08

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We delighted to kick off 2024 by introducing the heavyweight of pop art, Joe Simko! Joe Simko's creations are uniquely bold, with imaginative compositions and vibrant colors. Starting from 2009, he collaborated with TOPPS, producing a series of stunning works for the collectible card series Garbage Pail Kids.

In 2011, he launched his exclusive card series, starting with the Cereal Killers collection. This series combined beloved cereals with elements from various popular films, infused with Simko's playful style, creating whimsical and imaginative visuals.

To be featured on Wikipedia, a person must have a certain level of influence and recognition, and Joe Simko is one of the few creators we've interviewed who has a Wikipedia entry. This reflects his significant standing in the world of pop art. Without further ado, let's delve into the creative secrets of this master!

Toy People: Can you tell us why you chose the path of painting, and could you introduce us to your career?

Joe：Certainly. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the United States in the 1980s, my biggest artistic influences came from Saturday morning cartoons and the art on cereal boxes. When I was 5 or 6, I would sit in front of the TV, drawing the animated characters on endless sheets of paper. I was captivated by the vibrant colors and bold images of these cartoons, and it truly shaped who I wanted to be as a person and an artist.

I had a strong passion for art, especially cartoons, which led me to attend the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York, where I studied comic and cartoon art. Now, I have an enriched career in the fields of cartoons and illustration. I am currently an official writer/artist for the Topps Garbage Pail Kids (GPK) trading card series. I am also part of the development team for the HBO Max animated series based on GPK. Additionally, I design art for rock bands, create children's books, graphic novels, and contribute various illustrations for different companies.

Toy People: Your works are filled with whimsy, playfulness, and a tremendous amount of imagination. Why do you particularly enjoy these elements, and are there specific works or environmental factors that influenced the development of your artistic style?

Joe：I'm not sure why, but I've always been drawn to quirky art. It's just more exciting to me. I'm the oldest of three brothers, and I was the only one in the family who enjoyed drawing. I made some friends in school who also liked alternative art. Together, we explored various horror movies and comics. I even collected these works when the Garbage Pail Kids (GPK) trading cards were first released in 1985. Looking back, I was only ten years old when I started collecting GPK. So, it's always astonishing to me that as an adult, I've had the opportunity to be invited to create new GPK cards.

Toy People:Your art style is incredibly wild and unrestrained. Is your personality also wild and free-spirited? What methods do you use to ignite your creative inspiration?

Joe： I try to maintain a highly excited mental state, especially drawing the most excitement from life. When I feel bored with a particular type of artistic creation, I look for something even more thrilling to do than the last. My art is inspired by my surroundings, music, movies, and my nostalgic influences, mostly stemming from the pop culture of the 1980s.

Toy People:Could you share some of your early works with us, especially those that hold special meaning or have had an impact on you?

Joe： I apologize, but I don't have any of my childhood art pieces at hand. My earliest works were influenced by the cartoons I watched in the 80s, my favorite cereals, and comic books. Even the works of Garbage Pail Kids!

Growing up in the 80s, I practically watched every cartoon. So I'm sure, for better or worse, all those early animated shows somehow found their way into my work. Examples include Ralph Bakshi (Wizards, Mighty Mouse, Cool World), Don Bluth (Dragon’s Lair), John Kricfalusi (Ren and Stimpy), Bob Clampett (Beany and Cecil), and Tex Avery and Chuck Jones (Looney Tunes), all of whom I greatly admired.
Recently, my favorite cereal brand is Frankberry. I love the monster-themed mascots of the cereal. It's definitely a source of inspiration for my art and upcoming creations.

Horror movies and comics have always been a significant part of my life. I'm particularly fascinated by non-mainstream films. My taste in horror movies has evolved over the years. When I was younger, the more sensational and extreme, the better. But now, I prefer to find a good mystery thriller. For me, there are standout horror films representing each decade, and I'd like to share some with you:

1970s:
The Exorcist
Carrie
Halloween
Suspiria
Alien
Hausu (also known as House)

1980s:
The Lost Boys
Pet Semetary
The Shining
Evil Dead
Bad Taste
They Live
Fright Night
Fright Night 2
Creepshow
Creepshow 2
Poltergeist
Christine
The entire Nightmare on Elm Street franchise

1990s:
Scream
Dracula
Thinner
Dead Alive

2000s:
Trick r’ Treat
Martyrs
Identity
Drag Me To Hell
The House of the Devil

2010s:
Gerald’s Game
Get Out
Happy Death Day
Happy Death Day 2U

2020s (up to now):
Barbarian
Malignant
No One Will Save You
Totally Killer

My favorite comics have deeply influenced my work, such as anything by Vaughn Bode, Cry For Dawn, great short stories from Warren Publishing's Creepy and Eerie comic magazines, and Sam Keith's The Maxx. During my teenage years, MAD magazine had a tremendous impact on both art and writing.

Toy People:During the creative process, do you have any specific rituals, like setting a particular environment, playing certain music, or having a dedicated workspace, that enhance the flow of your work? What kind of environment do you enjoy working in, and could you share a bit about your studio space?

Joe： I have a studio set up in my apartment in New York City. While working, I watch various types of TV shows and movies. I often joke that the hardest part of starting a workday is finding a show to play on the TV.

Toy People:Among your numerous creations, could you introduce your top three favorite pieces? Why do you recommend these three in particular?

Joe：That's a tough question. All of my works hold special meaning for me, tied to a specific moment or place in my life. One of the top three would undoubtedly be the Garbage Pail Kids cereal art pieces I've been involved in. Apart from all the GPK work I've done, I take immense pride in some of my personal creations, such as the Sweet Rot book series, Craniacs, which is a brand new IP making significant strides, and a completely new (yet to be announced) graphic novel series currently in development, set to be released in 2025!

Toy People:MADBALLS is a classic toy with a devoted fanbase, even receiving homage in the movie "Ready Player One," making several appearances as Easter eggs. Recent news indicates that you will be collaborating with MADBALLS to release new works. Could you share the origin of your collaboration with MADBALLS and any memorable collaborative projects?

Joe：Oh, absolutely! Madballs were a fantastic "gross-out" toy from the 80s, just as popular as Garbage Pail Kids. Therefore, the GPK x Madballs crossover collaboration is a perfect match. My collaboration with Madballs began with a licensing agreement between the Garbage Pail Kids brand and Cloudco, the company that owns the rights to Madballs. One of my favorite works in the Madballs/GPK art realm is a collaboration with the original creator/designer of Madballs, James Groman. We worked together to create a poster featuring a single scene where Madballs and GPK characters face off in a battle. James illustrated the left side with Madballs, while I illustrated the right side with GPK. Following that, I designed a series of Madballs vs. Garbage Pail Kids comic book covers. I also created concept design sketches for the GPK x Madballs crossover toys.

Toy People:It's well-known that you were involved in creating world-renowned trading cards like 'Garbage Pail Kids' and 'Cereal Killers.' What prompted your involvement in these projects, and why do you have a special affinity for these cards? What does this long-term collaboration mean to you?

Joe： Illustrating for Garbage Pail Kids is a dream job I never thought I'd have. I used to collect these cards, and having the opportunity to create new GPK cards as an adult feels like a gift on my artistic journey.
The "Cereal Killers" card series is one that I created, also influenced by my childhood. I grew up in a household with a dad who indulged us with fun sugary cereals. The colorful cereal box designs and the sweet cereal flavors stayed with me. "Cereal Killers" is a satirical card series that combines popular cereal brands with iconic horror movies. The card sets are sold in mini cereal box packaging, and if anyone is interested, they can be purchased through my company, Wax-Eye.com.

Toy People:Do you collect toys? Can you share some of your prized collectibles with us?

Joe： I'm thrilled to own all the original GPK series boxes from 1985 to 1988, including the card packs. I also enjoy my GPK Funko series (Garbage Pail Kids Funko 2.5-Inch Vinyl Mini-Figures).

Back in my younger days, my favorite toys to collect were Transformers and Masters of the Universe (He-Man). However, I want to give a special mention that, even though I know it's not a toy per se, I was a huge fan of MAD magazine during my teenage years!

Toy People:Besides your creative work, do you have any other hobbies or interests?

Joe：I enjoy watching various types of movies, spending time with my family, and occasionally collecting a cereal box or two... or a hundred.

Toy People: This time, you've created a new piece for toy collectors. Could you share the creative inspiration and behind-the-scenes details of this artwork?

Joe：For this special "Toy People Attack" painting, I aimed to pay homage to classic toys and collectors. The toys depicted in the image are not real-world existing products but rather archetypal representations I tried to honor. After receiving the initial direction for the commission, I sketched out the concept in pencil, and once the direction was confirmed, I proceeded to color it using acrylic paint.