Honey Bunny is a female rabbit designed by Robert McKimson in the 1950s and Phil DeLara in the 1960s to 1970s, and is the former girlfriend of Bugs Bunny after Daisy Lou who appeared in comics and was used for merchandising purposes beginning in the late 1960s.
Appearances[]
Comic books and merchandising[]
A character named Honey Bunny first appeared in the Bugs Bunny's Album comic book from 1953, drawn by Fred Abranz and created by Robert McKimson. This character is a small white rabbit who enjoys exploring and is Bugs' cousin.[1] A new character with the same name debuted in Bugs Bunny Comic Book #108 (November 1966) and was a semi-regular fixture in the series of Looney Tunes comic books published by Gold Key throughout the 1960s and 1970s, all drawn by Phil DeLara, usually co-starring with Bugs Bunny.[2] Their relationship throughout the comics alternated between being romantic, platonic or rival-like. Honey's physical appearance also varied considerably over time. In some appearances, she had yellow or pale tan fur and white bangs between her flopped-down ears. She wears a pink shirt and green pants. She also has four fingers on each hand and three toes on each foot. She was later drawn with gray fur and a model based on Bugs himself, aside from her female clothing. Eventually, Honey was given a more visibly feminine model. While she still shared Bugs' basic coloration and design, her facial features and tail were softened in appearance, while her eyes were made a little larger and drawn with visible eyelashes. This later version, which began appearing in the early 1970s, became the new "official" model and was used frequently in various Looney Tunes merchandise throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
Other media[]
A yellow female rabbit (who is based on Witch Hazel's rabbit design from Bewitched Bunny) appears in the closing scene of the Bugs Bunny's Thanksgiving Diet animated television special from 1979.
Honey in her "Bugs-like" design appeared in The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle video game from 1989, the Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball pinball game from 1990, and The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle 2 video game from 1991. The book Looney Tunes: The Ultimate Visual Guide refers to Honey as a former companion of Bugs Bunny.
Some concept art for Space Jam depicted Honey in her "Bugs-like" design wearing a leotard themed around the U.S. flag, implying she was intended to appear in said film before being replaced by a new character, Lola Bunny.
Gallery[]
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