Though the character and subsequent self-titled comic is largely known as an erotic or pornographic book, it does garner critical merit for its humor and occasional political commentary.

[7] From the third issue the book was retitled Cherry; Welz has stated this was in response to threats of legal action by Kellogg's over its Pop-Tarts trademark.

[3] Wary of accusations of creating child pornography, Welz included a disclaimer from Cherry Poptart #2 stating that all the characters were 18 or older.

Welz explained in The Gauntlet in 1992 that the issue and the character were intended to address the serious concern raised by his publisher that if Cherry was depicted as being under 18, the strip could be classified as child pornography.

[5][17] Amazing Heroes reviewer R.A. Jones listed Cherry as one of the ten best titles of 1986, calling it "depraved, disgusting, pornographic, infantile and utterly lacking in any redeeming value", stating "We all need to be offended once in a while" and praising its lampooning of the "saccharine" Archie comics.

[18] However, Adam-Troy Castro disagreed in a later issue, feeling that the satirical content was the singular joke of the art's resemblance to Archie material.

Initially it was planned as a low-budget pornographic film starring Tammy Monroe as Cherry, but Welz withdrew his co-operation after realising the production was a generic porno.

Instead, Berkeley-based company Magic Lightning Productions planned a Cherry Poptart film in 1990, co-produced by Welz and Charles Webb.