Happy Birthday! A Visual History of Bugs Bunny

It's been 71 years since iconic cartoon character Bugs Bunny first hopped on the silver screen in 1940's A Wild Hare -- and this gray hare has undergone a couple of makeovers since his initial debut. Reaching the peak of his popularity around the '90s, he's since undergone a more modern, streamlined look. See how far he's come in A Visual History of Bugs Bunny.

1938: Bugs's Bunny

Originally designed by Ben "Bugs" Hardaway in 1938, early depictions of the now-classic character were actually unnamed, describing him as "Bugs's Bunny." Here, he evades Porky Pig in the cartoon Porky's Hare Hunt. It'd be years before he developed his memorable voice and one-liners.

1939: Hare-um Scare-um

1939's Hare-um Scare-um established the character's gray color. Previously he'd been depicted as a white bunny. The hunter in this cartoon is a pretty clear predecessor to Elmer Fudd.

1940: Bugs and Elmer

Ever wonder why Elmer Fudd is always trying to hunt down Bugs? Check out 1940's Elmer's Candid Camera. Fudd tries to get into nature photography and Bugs is just a total ass to him the whole time. No wonder dude has such an axe to grind.

1940: Eh... What's up Doc?

This is the one that started it all: A Wild Hare established the hunter/prey relationship between Bugs and Elmer, as well as the rabbit's familiar mannerisms, voice, and look. 

1991: Super Rabbit

Bugs Bunny remained pretty much the same over the years, and resulted in some dope merchandise. This McDonald's Happy Meal toy from 1991 depicts him as Superman, which is fitting -- he starred in a 1943 parody called Super Rabbit.

1990s: Bugs Sells Out

The 90's saw the heyday of the Warner Bros. brand, its characters were all over a variety of clothing and other merchandise, so much that the company had its own WB stores across the country. One of the fresher pieces of clothing was this graphic tee depicting Bugs Bunny and the Tasmanian Devil as Kriss Kross.

1992: Jordan's Wingman

Before Space Jam saw its 1996 release, Bugs had been hanging with Michael Jordan in ad campaigns for the Air Jordan VII. It even led to a special collaboration...

1992: Hare Jordan

The Hare Jordan, a modified Air Jordan VII in the Black-Light Graphite/Bordeaux colorway, was given as a promo item to select Niketown stores around 1992. It also came in a white version and its design pays homage to Bugs' wide feet.

2003: Back In Action

Bugs Bunny returned to the silver screen again in 2003's Looney Tunes: Back in Action. His co-stars included Brendan Fraser and Jenna Elfman, and lukewarm critical reception combined with bombing at the box-office resulted in a mostly-forgotten film.

2005: Loonatics Unleashed

In 2005 Warner Bros. released Loonatics Unleashed, a futuristic, action-oriented take on the Looney Tunes franchise that had them defending the city of "Acmetropolis" in the year 2772. This is Ace Bunny, depicted as a descendant of Bugs. Nice Tron suit, buddy.

2011: Looney Tunes Back

Going back to his roots, The Looney Tunes Show premiered earlier this year on Cartoon Network and depicts Bugs Bunny and the other characters in a more modern, streamlined look that balances their timelessly goofy designs with affectations like cel-shading.