Goodbye to an American satirical institution

Mad magazine is to publish its last proper edition after 67 years.

The satirical publication will vanish from newsstands after the next issue, to be released in the next few weeks.

There will be future editions available by direct order or comic-book stores, but with no new material just recycled ‘nostalgic content’.

The move will lead to job losses, owners DC Comics said in an email to staff, as there will ‘no longer be new content and thus no need for staff to create and edit new content.’

At its peak, in 1973, the magazine sold 2.4million copies. But now it sells fewer than 140,000.

It is known for its motto, ‘What, me worry?’, its gap-toothed, big-eared mascot Alfred E. Neuman, long-running strips such as Spy vs. Spy, and its back covers that would fold over to reveal a hidden image.

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic was among those lamenting the news on Twitter saying he was "profoundly sad" to hear the news.

‘I can't begin to describe the impact it had on me as a young kid — it's pretty much the reason I turned out weird. Goodbye to one of the all-time greatest American institutions,’ he wrote.

British comedy writer David Quantick also paid tribute, saying:  Don Martin, Spy Vs Spy, Scenes We'd Like To See, Snappy Answers To Stupid Questions, Potrzbie, the fold over inside back page... from finding the books in newsagents to buying the reprinted 50s originals, Mad Magazine helped build my life. RIP, Alfred E Neumann.’

Lego movie director Chris Miller shared fond memories of working there in his youth, saying: ‘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.’

Published: 4 Jul 2019