Cherry Poptart

Vampironica, who appeared only in issue #1, was created by Larry Todd, as a parody who was sort of a cross between Vampirella and Veronica from the Archie comics. She would have been a recurring character, but of course, Archie Comics threatened a lawsuit due to similarities between Vampironica and other characters surrounding her and their characters, so Welz and Turner decided to pull the plug on further stories with Vampironica.

Cherry and her best (and every bit as bi and horny) friend Ellie Dee in issue #5. Ellie loved her gadgets.

Ellie Dee on the cover of issue #8. This was the first time someone
other than Cherry was featured in the foreground on a cover.

Cherry #11 was the one and only 3D issue. Ron Turner tells me 3D glasses were included with this one, but I don’t think they were quite like the ones Miss Poptart is wearing here. Even so, I’m sure a mint condition issue with the original glasses would fetch a fairly good price on the collectors market.

Issue #20 (March 1999) was the only to feature Cherry’s mom, Pepper on the cover. Cherry and Pepper shared a very “close” relationship, which was first revealed in the story “Cherry’s Mom Scores Again” in issue #6.

Issue #20 also marked the last appearance of another of Cherry’s close friends, the 4’9″ sex dynamo, Patty Melt. Above is the opening to the final story Patty appeared in, entitled “Smells Like Team Spirit.” Of course, Patty went out with a real bang. (Pun intended.)

Cover of the first issue of Cherry’s Jubilee, which was a 1992-1994 four-issue spin-off that also featured the artwork of several other artists besides Welz. This cover features Cherry with (clockwise from top right) Pepper, Ellie Dee, Patty Melt, and Lola Palooza, another of Cherry’s friends, who had expensive tastes, an attitude, and was into bondage and domination.

Cherry Deluxe was a 1998 special issue

1994 limited edition art print of Cherry paying homage to the classic Marilyn Monroe nude

Naturally, Cherry was an outspoken opponent of censorship and this piece ran in a few issues.

In some issues, Larry Welz included drawings he did of some ladies in the Northern California adult entertainment scene at the time, such as this one of dancer Kitty Starr, featured in issue #7. Kitty was one of the featured performers at the now-long-gone Santa Rosa topless club, Everybody’s Talking.

Ad for official Cherry T-shirts that ran in several issues. Of course, they’re no longer available today and anyone who has one today has quite a valuable collector’s item. (I wonder if any Kellog employees bought any of these and I’m surprised Cherry wasn’t “smuggling raisins” when she modeled for this ad.) There was also a Cherry beach towel (circa 1992) that was marketed and one of those today would fetch a pretty hefty price. To see what Cherry merchandise is available today, check out Larry Welz’ site.

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