Mad #312 (Nick Meglin and John Ficarra) - Stinkerbell Issue - July 1992

Steven Spielberg brought to the screen an updated version (Hook) of the Peter Pan saga by J.M. Barrie (1860-1937).  The movie with an all-star cast that included Dustin Hoffman (Captain Hook), Robin Williams (Peter) and Julia Roberts (Tinkerbell) was not well-received by critics although it did gross $300 million.  However, the movie was ripe for parody and the team of Stan Hart (writer) and Sam Viviano (artist) delivered one of their best.  In the tradition of the 1950s Mad, future art director Viviano used the parody to display an array of cartoon characters including Roger Rabbit, Dondi, Sluggo, Dennis the Menace, Calvin, Ariel, Bart Simpson, Charlie Brown, Katzenjammer Kids, Swee Pea, Kayo Mullins and Yellow Kid; as well as special appearances by E.T., Mary Poppins, Superman, Marty McFly, Steve Urkel, Macaulay Culkin, Our Gang et al.  I like Captain Shnook's Swiss army hook.

Sergio Aragones drew one of his most clever marginals (Al Jaffee wig) within "The Mad Fast Food Employees Hate Book" that also included ten twenty-dollar bills with the wrong Jackson on them.  [JAM 3/6/2012]

Departments:
The Warren Commotion - Buggy
Tales From the Duck Side - The Pernicious Prison Plight; The Misguided Menagerie Moneymaker; The Jerky Jester's Justification
Serving Counterattack - The Mad Fast Food Employees Hate Book
An Embarrassment of Richard's - Conflicting Ads That Make You Wonder
Wise Guides - Rules for Games the Way They're Really Played
Shrink Rapped - The Prince of Tirades
Ready, Sit, Go! - The Couch Potato Olympics
Frank on a Roll - How to Be Politic'lly Correct
Berg's-Eye View - The Lighter Side
Joke And Dagger - Spy vs. Spy
As the Charade Passes By - Is Anyone Fooled By
Pillows of Society - Airbag Safety Devices for Everyday Living
Ever, Ever Bland - Hook 'em
Serge-In General - A Mad Look at Cooking
Publisher's Fearing House - A Memo From Bill Gaines (As Dictated to Frank Jacobs)

Fold-In - Airhead