Mad #367 (Nick Meglin and John Ficarra) - Buffy Issue - March 1998
Number 365 was the last (I hope) of three consecutive issues that were printed with and without borders. I like the border art. This was probably a test by the DC suits to compare sales results. The four different covers of the "Cheap Gimmick Issue" (No. 359) was a clever joke but the disappearing border was not. I think the best border to date was Paul Coker's Soup Nazi in the "Seinfeld Issue" (No. 364).
The best cover of the three [Nos. 364-366] was Mort Drucker's wrestler-accordian in No. 366. This was the 28th cover for Drucker which places him fifth on the all-time list behind Mingo (83), Williams (56), Rickard (32) and Freas (30). Since Rickard and Freas are not active, it is reasonable to assume that Drucker will eventually be third.
I thought the best combinations of story and art were "A Punch in the Knows Dept.: Americans are Smarter than Ever" by Geary & Snee (No. 365), "And They Called It Yuppie Love Dept.: Fairview Estates" by Blackwell & Eisenporth (No. 366), and "Bugs Funny Dept.: Starless Troopers" by Drucker & DeBartolo (No. 367).
Rick Geary has a drawing style that is simple but distinctive. His characters are right on the money and, I especially like the cigar-smoking "Y" chromosome. Geary first appeared in issue number 341 ("Martha Stewart Remakes the O.J. Trial").
Gerry Blackwell made an excellent debut in number 366 with his yuppie drawings. Let's see some more of Mr. Blackwell.
It's hard to beat the Drucker/DeBartolo combination. Issue number 367 was the 136th consecutive for DeBartolo, the most for any Mad contributor who does not do drawings. The longest current active streak is held by Sergio Aragones (256). The Aragones streak goes back to issue number 112.
Other things I liked: Christmas carols by veteran writer Frank Jacobs; DeBartolo's "Nic-o-Stop" ad; Jaffee as actress fan; the liposuction war by Bunk & Eisenporth ( I love the expressions on the faces of the patients); the Tom Bunk wanted poster; drawings by Bob Staake for Mad's "1998 Movie Preview" (No. 367); "Route 666."
I still didn't like: "Melvin & Jenkins" and "Monroe". The artwork is poor and the writing is repetitive. Monroe's mom is OK and I like the fact that artist Bill Wray usually gets Stimpy into one of his panels. M & J should take a hike.
Other notes: Dave Berg was featured in 2 of 3 [Nos. 364-366]; Berg holds the all-time record of 323 consecutive appearances (Nos. 34 to 356); isn't it about time for "Spy vs. Spy vs Spy"? [MADlog #10 - April 1998]
Departments:
Bugs Funny - Starless Troopers
The Rating Game - Mad's Dating Pluses & Minuses Scorecard
Our Floundering Fathers - Badly Needed Constitutional Amendments???
Here Comes the Bribe - Pop-Up Bill Clinton Fundraising Videos
Deja Reviews - Mad's 1998 Movie Preview
Joke And Dagger - Spy vs. Spy
Strictly for the Blurbs - If Magazine Covers Told the Truth About What's Inside
The Microsoft Word of God - The Story of Creation Retold in a Chat Room
Angster's Paradise - Monroe & ... The New Job
Berg's-Eye View - The Lighter Side
Serge-In General - A Mad Look at Vanity
Trip-Tease - Little Known Facts About Europe's Hottest Tourist Attractions
I'm Gonna Git You Blood Sucka - Busty the Vampire Spayer
Tales From the Duck Side - Buggy Nights
Japanning for Gold - Mad Visits the Winter Olympics
Grieving Las Vegas - Mad's Celebrity Cause-of-Death Betting Odds
Fold-In - Explosion