Some of our favorite spooky cereals are receiving an update thanks to DC Comics greats, Jim Lee, Dave Johnson, and Terry and Rachel Dodson. General Mills, who produces the seasonal monster cereals Count Chocula, Frankenberry, and Boo Berry, tasked the artists with updating the characters ahead of their release this Fall.
Jim Lee chose to redesign his childhood favorite, Boo Berry, which proved a greater challenge than Lee anticipated. I put a lot of thought in it. It was stressful. Drawing simpler characters is a lot more work and harder than drawing something that's more complicated or has a lot of renderings. Every line counts and every distance between the eyes and the ears, it's all super critical. Lee reflected on the nostalgia the character brought him which led to him choosing Boo Berry for this challenge. I loved the milk turning blue afterward, and it brought back a lot of childhood memories.
Lee had to incorporate aspects of Boo Berry, such as his hat and bow tie, that were recognizable to fans of the character and cereal, but additionally provide a fresh take on the sugary specter. He completed seven drafts before settling on the Boo Berry that will grace the front of cereal boxes this Halloween.
Fans of the cereal will also enjoy updates of Count Chocolate designed by Dave Johnson, and Frankenberry provided by Terry and Rachel Dodson. Business unit director of General Mills Big G Cereals Catherine Cox Draper commented,The artists share our love for Monsters Cereals, and Monsters Cereals fans also love DC Comics. The reimagining of the Monsters for the packaging was a highly collaborative process, and we had a lot of fun seeing the artists' vision for our beloved Count Chocula, Franken Berry and Boo Berry come to life.
The monster cereals first debuted in the 1970s, and in 2010, became a limited release during the Fall months. Be sure to look for the reimagined Count Chocula, Frankenberry, and of course Boo Berry this Halloween at your local grocery store.