Brigitte Bardot's passing has been weighing on my heart, and with this, a hankering for images of her has reached a profound peak. As a result, I decided to commission pinup maestro, Rock Baker, to create a "Baker-ized" version of the legendary beauty.
As one can see, Baker knocked it outta the park. Indeed, his "cutie" style is so well suited to dear B.B.
Thank you, Rock, for this rousing success!
Rock Baker and CB International's Cartoon Cuties hits a significant milestone: its tenth issue! And what does Issue #10 have in store for readers? Well, another joyful heaping of Annie fun in good ol' Creek Bend, of course.
For Issue #10, Abby and Gabby Howard engage in a gardening mishap of colossal proportions; Sugar Chestnut has a sweet, photo moment; Candy Sweeth experiences a spooky night (with a cameo from a famous, AIP creature); the Baxter gals engage in a water-gun melee; Daisy enters an epic, spy venture that would make Modesty Blaise blush; Yvette Pond wrestles with her doleful past; Roxy discusses an unsettling recollection with Crissy and Roger; Bertie visits Crissy and Roger regarding a governmental breach; and the first Annie of them all is revealed.
As with the previous, nine issues, Baker is in tip-top form, giving his Annies adorable nuances and generous charm, with splendid artwork that only elevates their irresistibility.
Cartoon Cuties has brought immeasurable joy to me, and I know that many others feel the same way. If you've not yet given this wonderful franchise a whirl, now is as good a time as ever. Heck, why not get all ten installments? They're all available on Amazon.
For the sake of Baker's #10, it can be found at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8WS7JJ5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Artist/writer Rock Baker delivers more quaint charms from fabled Creek Bend in CB International Publications' Cartoon Cuties #9.
For the delightful contents, Baker gives us Crissy Carrots and Roger Ralphwit falling prey to a diamond-theft scam; Juanita Bunny and Vikki West embroiled in countrified, movie hijinks; Darlene Miller gets an unlikely inspiration for an art class; Becky Landis in a spy-sprung mystery; Minerva Mallen planning the perfect vacation; Beverly and Jeannie Baxter traveling their way to heartwarming generosity; and to cap off the joyful spree, further cheer from those good ol' Ralphwits.
Baker is on top of his game with Issue #9, placing his Annies in a variety of sprightly scenarios, while keeping everything tied by an indelible and saturating sweetness. It makes this issue a pleasant throwback to happier times, and really, that's what Cartoon Cuties is all about.
Order Rock Baker's Cartoon Cuties #9 at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZYV53PD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Cheesecake artist and Cartoon Cuties creator, Rock Baker, exceeds expectations once again, with the sensational, all-color Squirrel Parade, from CB International Publications.
Baker has a special knack for anthropomorphic renderings, and some of his all-time best spring from the squirrel category. As one flips through this fabulous, 8.5" x 11", 74-page spree, the evidence speaks for itself, with these bushy-tailed, cutie-pie creatures depicted in any number of fun poses and scenarios. (Truly, Baker could do a full-fledged, storyline spinoff to Cartoon Cuties based on this sprightly concept, and I do hope he considers it.)
Of course, as Baker's subtitle states, there are "other cuddly, pinup gals" enclosed, so don't be at all surprised if you find yourself growing fond over an accompanying variant or two.
Rock Baker's Squirrel Parade deserves to be in your library and would make a great gift for friends and family.
Order at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJW73GYB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
It's been a while coming, but the wait was worth it. Rock Baker's Cartoon Cuties #7 is another adorable smash in the acclaimed artist/storyteller's Creek Bend saga (enhanced with edits and lettering by Jim Ludwig).
For #7, on her trip back from Britain, Doris endures a work-heaped vacation, as she prepares for a Queen of Space role (along with its many stimulating costumes). Jeannie Baxter takes part in a steamy photoshoot, followed by a hapless stint at tennis. Minerva Mallen, meanwhile, deals with pizza-publicity woes, which in turn result in a lively, home sojourn involving Wendy and Mala. The underdressed Trixie and Dixie slip under the hot lights, and Yvette must struggle with saucy pictures that could crash her career. Last but not least, Crissy and Roger get an unexpected visit from betrothed cousin Rosie, in what becomes a most welcome reunion.
I can't praise Cartoon Cuties enough. Baker's brainchild holds a precious, throwback style, which captures classic Dell's carefree appeal, with a raconteur zeal that mirrors the best, moral-based sitcoms of old. In this age of consistent cynicism and despair, we need more products like Cartoon Cuties to boost our morale. In this regard, it warms my heart that Baker intends to keep his darling Annies thriving for years to come, and soon (by gosh) through an official, indie run.
For now, enjoy the splendor of #7 by ordering at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CZRD4WSY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=
Cartoon Cuties inventor, Rock Baker, has supplied the charming goods for my special, commission request: a cavegirl Ann-Margret from the 1963, Flintstones episode, "Ann-Margrock Presents."
As one can see, this breathtaking, JPG depiction is beach-designated and all the more appealing for it. WOW!
I've been a huge, Ann-Margret fan my entire life, and because of Mr. Baker's sprightly, Stone Age creation, my fervor for the gorgeous redhead has become all the further entrenched. Thank you, Rock, for hitting it out of the park once again! 😊
Pin-up artist, Rock Baker, hits it outta the park once again with a clever, 64-page, illustrated saga called Barefoot.
Barefoot has a Don Bluth quality about it (with its unmistakable shades of The Secret of Nimh). This isn't surprising since Baker is a Bluth connoisseur, but his story also contains a cheerful, sci-fi/parallel-universe verve that makes it unique.
The titular character, Barefoot, aka Tiffy Collinson, is a Crissy Carrots/Fievel splicing of sorts. With her boyfriend, Rex Rogers (along with Doc Goldman and Ernie the aviator), our adorable protagonist helps unravel why humans have vanished from the planet, leaving mice the predominant species.
Within this peculiar predicament, Barefoot falls into a number of fun and exciting scenarios, including a birthday/engagement surprise; feline ambushes; political and theoretical conjecturing; a fateful, rocket launch; and a startling, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman/30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock/Land of the Giants interlude (with a crafty, Twilight Zone, true-identity flip). Through it all, Baker's artistic know-how and storytelling expertise proves nothing short of gosh-darn awe-inspiring!
I'm beyond giddy that Baker created this one, for it's an ideal companion piece to his Cuties' mythology, yet still acts as a major stand-out in his long, creative queue. (Incidentally, Baker had envisioned Barefoot as a movie. I sure hope that such comes about someday, but the printed version is definitely the satisfying next-best-thing.)
Barefoot is pure, front-to-back enjoyment; order at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLS1BLMQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
The genius of Rock Baker knows no bounds, and the overwhelming cuteness of his Creek Bend Annies enters a whole new, charming phase in InDELLible's Cartoon Cuties #5.5.
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In this fetching spree, the writer/artist treats us to Hollywood-ish dreams and plebian schemes, featuring Crissy, Candy, Daisy, Nora, Mala, Yvette, Simone, Gail, Patty, Trixie, those double-the-fun Nelson gals and my personal favorite Annie of them all, Minerva, who sparkles at an all-time high. Each tale exudes pure, unabashed glee and adds to Creek Bend's ever expanding world of amicable wonderment.
Once more, Baker does an astounding job combining wholesomeness with teasing play: not the sort of thing that other creators could hope to accomplish, but here it is, all wrapped up in Baker's Cartoon Cuties' unfurling mythology. Issue #5.5 is no exception to his rules of enchantment. In fact, one could argue that Baker's jubilant stream has never been more satisfying.
Purchase Cartoon Cuties #5.5 at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG5N35BP?fbclid=IwAR3KZCU3uJFYdBbKPExTKavCvjbey5DiedIXuq26HqLFurEiuLw0tZ8Xjww
And keep in mind that prior Cartoon Cuties comics are also available at Amazon, along with Baker's short-story compilations. Grab them now to experience the cheeriest, pop-cultural phenomenon to come along in years!
The wait is over! Rock Baker's Cartoon Cuties #4 gives faithful fans of Creek Bend more enchanting stories and bikini-clad artwork to absorb and savor. (Due to a printing anomaly, issues will sport #5, but fear not, a #5.5 follow-up is on the way, making this winning entry an official #4 by all accounts.)
Inside this fine issue one will find not only the delightful Crissy Carrots and her man, Roger Ralphwit, but Jeanine and Beverly Baxter, Mary and Mable Nelson, Minerva Mallen, Doris Flowers, Yvette Pond, Roxy Ralphwit, Mala Winston, Honey Garner, Trixie Hope and more, snuggled in sweet scenarios that cover the quest for the perfect cookbook, a knife-tossing gig, a river sojourn, a house-guest conundrum and a case-cracking, pin-up venture that's destined to lead to blissful redemption.
As with previous Cartoon Cuties, Baker keeps things light yet involved, expanding upon a concept that just gets more engaging with each passing page. Really, if one hasn't yet delved into Cartoon Cuties, one simply doesn't know what one's missing, and trust me, it's a whole lot! In fact, this new Cartoon Cuties could be Baker's best to date, and that's saying a ton, considering how satisfying his prior submissions are.
Order Baker's latest, prolific entry in the Cartoon Cuties saga (along with all previous comics and short-story collections) at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NZ1NZ7V?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
