Mad Magazine May Be Nearing Its End, As Writers, Editors Tweet Sad News
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For decades, Mad mascot Alfred E. Neuman took on the world with a cheerful, “What, Me Worry?” But judging from today’s social media reaction, he may have cause for concern.
Writers, editors and others affiliated with the long-running humor magazine took to social media today to lament the apparent passing of a publication that served as the introduction to satire for many. Mad is now owned by DC, which has shuttered a few titles recently and is reorganizing under three specific brands. Some contributors (aka “the usual gang of idiots”) alluded to an email that was sent out informing them of the shuttering, but details remained elusive for the general population.
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It may simply be that Mad outlived its cultural significance. It was recently in the news when Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg was compared to Alfred E. Neuman by President Donald Trump. Buttigieg claimed not to get the reference at first.
Mad launched in 1952 as an EC Comic under editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines. It became a magazine in 1955, and spawned a line of paperback anthologies and a TV show. It was known for such regular features as Dave Berg Looks At The USA and Spy Vs. Spy.
DC said two weeks ago that it will be marketing its content under three labels, DC Kids, DC and DC Black Label, starting January 2020.
No official word from DC or Mad has been made yet.
Some reactions:
MAD MAGAZINE is one of the biggest reasons why I became a cartoonist. It was a staple. A constant. It was funny. Brilliant. Stupid. And was almost exclusively loaded with great art.
It’s ending, and this is the end of an era.@MADmagazine pic.twitter.com/nxVtV7ittV— (((Judd Winick))) (@JuddWinick) July 4, 2019
I was an intern at MAD Magazine in 1994. I had no apt in NY so I kept my belongings in the archives & took a daypack & crashed on couches for 3 months.
In the writers room they had a drum kit to do rim shots on bad jokes. Great memories. I’ll miss it https://t.co/xGjrTeefXI— Chris Miller (@chrizmillr) July 4, 2019
Well it’s the end of the line for Mad Magazine. One of the great Institutions, not only in comics history, but in the history of American humor. pic.twitter.com/sLesAOlOKX
— Tom the Dancing Bug (@RubenBolling) July 4, 2019
MAD Magazine deserves credit for being home to SPY VS SPY, created by a Cuban refugee who didn't speak English and was able to portray the pettiness of international espionage completely without dialogue. Antonio Prohias was a genius and is just as relevant today. pic.twitter.com/e4t7iWbA2r
— SPBurke (@S_P_Burke) July 4, 2019
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