The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating the 80th anniversary of Bugs Bunny with a series of 20 stamps featuring Bugs in 10 classic costumes, including the Superman parody “Super-Rabbit”.
Since his debut in the short-subject cartoon, “A Wild Hare” in 1940, generations of audiences have cheered Bugs’s gleeful gusto, quick wit, and endless clever resource. To outwit the opposition he can conjure dynamite, cherry pies, and mallets out of thin air, dance like a seasoned hoofer, play piano, and conduct orchestras. He summons up any talent – and any costume – that will help him thwart his relentless foes.
In 1943 Warner Bros. released a Bugs Bunny cartoon “Super Rabbit” as a parody of the Fleischer Superman series. Special carrots make Bugs into a superhero. The first villain he goes up against is Cottontail Smith who is a mad and evil Texas rabbit. Unfortunately, little by little, Bugs’ powers start to wear off.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. created original stamp artwork especially for this issuance featuring work from Warner Bros. Animation artists, who also created the selvage artwork and verso sketches. Greg Breeding was the designer, and William J. Gicker served as art director.
Bugs Bunny plus a Superman costume equals a great and fun cartoon to watch. 😀