The Purple Pieman returns.

[Werewolf]

The Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak has finally been added into the current Strawberry Shortcake continuity.

First appearing, last month, in the Dress Up Dreams app for Iphone/Ipad and now fully re-introduced in the new IDW comic, which just came out this week.

His updated appearance is not bad. His clothes are modernized (he is now wearing jeans) and his name is Steve Piemanne (not kidding) but he is still recognizable. The stylized Berry Bird on his apron is a nice touch.

He faired far better than his partner and crime, Sour Grapes, when she got reintroduced last year in Berry Bitty Adventures. Sour Grapes is now the same age as the other berry kids and has a twin sister called Sweet Grapes. She isn't a villain anymore. She is just not as cheerful and upbeat as the other characters. Her sister, Sweet Grapes, wears glasses and is shy and nerdy. She actually reminds me more of how Plum Puddin' used to be.

I would be surprised if he doesn't appear in the rumored season five of Berry Bitty Adventures. It will be interesting to see he how is portrayed in the cartoon. His bickering and scheming with Sour Grapes will be missed, though.

Bridge Direct is releasing a two pack with Sweet and Sour this fall and hopefully the Pieman will soon follow. Would be nice to see the Purple Pieman get a retro release too.

[enyawd72]

Hmmm...Pieman isn't a politically correct name...how about Steve? Yeah, Steve Piemanne. And we can't have any villains or bickering cause conflict is bad. Everybody MUST get along...or else.

Is there anything that modern PC sensibilities CAN'T ruin?

[palitoy]

Didn't these characters have an animated series recently? I swore I watched this with my daughter but my memory is spotty.

[Marvelmania]

As soon as I saw the title of the post I knew it was yours lol. I really need to start picking some of these up as my niece is entertaining the idea of re-collecting Strawberry Shortcake toys. I already picked her up a set of vintage glasses with a large pitcher.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I remember watching the Strawberry Shortcake TV specials when they first aired, and there was something about him that really creeped me out. Maybe it was because a tall, lanky old man was threatening a bunch of little girls, but for whatever reason, he was scarier than someone like Gargamel.

It seems odd that it took them so long to bring him back, but glad to see they finally did it.

Chris

[Werewolf]

Didn't these characters have an animated series recently?

Yes, Strawberry Shortcake Berry Bitty Adventures. It's currently in the fourth season.

I really need to start picking some of these up as my niece is entertaining the idea of re-collecting Strawberry Shortcake toys.

It's a perfect time for it with the classic line coming this fall.

It seems odd that it took them so long to bring him back, but glad to see they finally did it.

Me too. Such a fun character and I get what you mean about him seeming scary. Just compare his arch nemesis to other cartoon villains.

Skeletor- The most powerful man in the universe.
Cobra Commander- A highly trained and heavily armed special mission force.
The Peculiar Purple Pieman- A little girl with a strawberry garden.

Lol, that is one bad dude.

You know, I actually think Gargamel is the most evil when you really think about it. He actually wanted to eat the Smurfs. That's messed up. In comparison, the worst stuff the Purple Pieman did was steal strawberries and cheat at a bake off.

[Earth 2 Chris]

You know, I actually think Gargamel is the most evil when you really think about it. He actually wanted to eat the Smurfs. That's messed up. In comparison, the worst stuff the Purple Pieman did was steal strawberries and cheat at a bake off.

Good point, and I bow to your expertise, because my Strawberry Shortcake knowledge is limited to those early TV specials from 35 years ago, and what I've picked up from my wife and daughter. But he just seemed...creepier. Maybe it was the weird purple tights?

Chris

[Werewolf]

But he just seemed...creepier. Maybe it was the weird purple tights?

Porcupine Peak, where he lived, was pretty scary looking and he did seem fairly menacing when we you first see him. Robert Ridgely did a terrific job of voicing him.