Mad Panic Fanzine (Ed Norris)
Editor Ed Norris published 71 issues of Mad Panic from 1990 to 2002. The publication primarily focused on the interests of Mad collectors but also provided news and articles of interest to the Mad community. Mindsnackbooks has received permission from Mr. Norris to reprint portions of his fanzine. It is anticipated that this page will grow as more copies of Mad Panic are obtained for review. If you have copies of Mad Panic that we can purchase or borrow, please contact us at madandson1@aol.com. Current needs are Nos. 1-45, 51, 53, 55-56, 58-59, 61, 66, 69-70.
In issue number 11 (July 1998) of Mind Snack MADlog, Ed Norris was interviewed in our silly feature called "Ten Questions for Ed Norris."
"MS: When did you purchase your first Mad?
EN: I didn't buy Mad as a kid. I read my cousin's copies. I only saw
him 3 or 4 times a year. He would give me a bunch and I would toss them a
few years later. My father would buy me a copy every so often. I'd
read a friend's copy if one of them would get an issue. I'd purchase a
copy of Sick once in a while. Never remember buying
Cracked or Help! but would flip through them
at the newsstand. I think I purchased Sick because I knew no one else
reading that magazine, so it was my only chance. I had chances to read
Mad. It wasn't until 1982 that I started buying Mad on a regular basis.
My wife knew she was in trouble when I framed a copy and mounted it to the wall.
It took me about 6 years to get them all. The last issue I needed was #21.
My favorite comic shop found that issue for me, and charged me an arm and a leg
knowing they would get the money from me! I got my first Mad collectible
about a year after I started buying the magazine. I think it was the
Mad Magazine Game by Parker Brothers. A few months later
I purchased a small collection. The collection contained Musically
Mad, one red bookend, 80 German Mads and 100 regular and special
issues. My wife really knew she was in trouble at that point.
"MS: Why did you decide to start printing the Mad Panic fanzine?
EN: I was going into a collecting slump and I wanted something to do when the
collectibles weren't rolling in. Most collectors I talk to have peaks and
valleys in their efforts to find things. Looking back, my first issue was
terrible. I'm surprised anyone subscribed. Most of those that asked
for the sample first issue sent me more cash, so I had to go at least 7 issues.
I set goals for myself. First it was to out-live Mad Freaks USA
which ran 6 issues, then I took a shot at MADzine which ran 13
issues. Next it was to make it to 25 issues, and then to 50, which I'm
closing in on. Issue #48 went out in May. I don't know what the next
goal will be, maybe 75 or 100 issues. Getting back to the question, I
called Grant Geissman and Michael Lerner, which at the time, were the only two
collectors I knew, about the idea. They both told me to go for it.
Michael said he would subscribe as long as I didn't charge him. So with a
promise of $6.50 from Grant, I went full steam ahead. I believe I printed
25 copies and sold 21 of those. About 10 of those people still get the
fanzine today.
"MS: Do you have a day job?
EN: How many unemployed Mad collectors do you know? Just because I produce
a cheap little fanzine doesn't mean I don't have a job. [We deserved that.
With this question, MADlog was trying to learn what that job was]
"MS: Who is your favorite Mad artist of all time?
EN: Which Mad artists receive your fanzine? [A copy of MADlog #10 was sent
to Bill Elder's biographer] I'd have to say Bill Elder. There
was so much to look at in the stories he drew. I usually 'read' those
stories multiple times. Guys like Martin, Prohias, Aragones and Berg I'm
able to take it all in the first time. That's not to say I don't enjoy
their work, it's just a different style. Elder really knows how to utilize
a panel. I'd love to get a piece of his artwork for Mad. Someday the
right opportunity might arise. Don Martin and John Caldwell receive the
fanzine. I know Sergio Aragones and Mort Drucker have seen issues.
Maybe some look at it during their visits to the Mad offices. I don't
measure the fanzine's success by the number of Mad staff that read it. The
fanzine is for collectors and I measure their continuance to subscribe as the
success factor.
"MS: What distinguishes Mad from all the others?
EN: Besides the fact that none of the others spell their title M-A-D?
"MS: Have you ever met a member of the Mad staff?
EN: Annie Gaines has been over the house to visit. She spent part of her
childhood in the town next to the one I live in now. She's a very charming
person and I had a great time. I attended one of Mark Cohen's Mad Art Show
premieres. Annie, Mort Drucker, Bob Clarke, Nick Meglin, Angelo Torres,
John Caldwell and Rick Tulka were there, so I got to meet them all. I sat
with Nick and Angelo during the cookout and they couldn't understand why anyone
would drive 3 hours to see them. I've never been to the Mad offices.
Every time I've been in New York, I haven't been able to free up enough time. [Now
I'm really jealous]
"MS: If you could bring back one feature from the early years of Mad, what
would it be?
EN: The .25 price!
"MS: Have you ever sent a letter, article or drawing to Mad?
EN: I've sent some letters, and they've never been published. Sent in a
couple of story ideas, and got back some rejection letters. I guess having
a bunch of articles published in information security magazines and journals
didn't prep me enough for a satire magazine. Some of those security
articles were a riot. I've recommended two character passwords, world
writeable system files and giving Netcom your credit card number! I'm
still laughing about those articles. [Ed, see first letter in Mad #350.]
"MS: What do you like and what don't you like about MADlog?
EN: I can't give you an answer, I don't read it. Do you know who publishes
it? Maybe I'll pick up an issue. [I deserved that.]
"MS: Who is Max Korn?
EN: It's one of the many inside jokes Mad would put within the pages of the
magazine. In this case, it's an anagram for Okn Marx, the sixth Marx
Brother. Okn was bitter because the rest of the Marx Brothers wouldn't
include him in their publicity stunts. Chico Marx once told Bill Gaines
that Okn was mad and the rest is history."
THE MAD PANIC No. 46 January 1998
Cover: "AND YOU THOUGHT I WAS KIDDING WHEN I ASKED FOR SOME COVER ART FOR THIS
FANZINE! (by Ed Norris)
"Editorial Dept. (Not Much To Say But Fills Space Division): I decided I'd get back on a regular schedule, which means I only got 5 issues out last year. I hope you all had a great holiday and received all those Mad items you wanted. The winner of the word search contest is Gene Phillips. A Mad Minute tape is on its way. the correct answer to the puzzle was 'Another Lame Contest.' Michael Skinner and Bruce Liber also submitted correct entries. Michael supplied the word list with his entry, and I was happy to receive it. I lost the list when I switched jobs. I didn't want to solve it to supply this list: Feldstein, Wood, Meglin, Neuman, Berg, SpyvsSpy, Superduperman, Coker, Alfred, Clarke, Elder, Worry, Martin, DeBartolo, Gaines, Davis, Aragones, Comic, Drucker, Orlando, Jaffee, DeFuccio, Torres, Magazine, Jacobs, Edwing, Prohias, Arthur, Kurtzman, Potrzebie, Furshlugginer, and Freas. I've added a new section to the fanzine, the Mad Price Guide, starting on page 8. The Toy Shop has been around for more than 10 years, and has listed many Mad items for sale over the years. I thought it would be a great reference source to use. If anyone receives a different publication and wants to submit similar data, please let me know. Stay MAD, Ed."
"MAD and Its Imitators: The Bizarre Satire Comics by David Alexander
"When a group of collectors gather to talk about comics, the subject always gets around to E.C.'s. Entertaining Comics was the high water mark of the 1950's comics. The art and stories were some of the most innovative in the publishing history of comics. Comic readers had been treated to a decade-long dose of super heroes and were buying fewer and fewer of the costume character adventures as the 1940's came to a close. Western, crime, science fiction, horror, war, romance and funny animal themes had been in comics for years. Publishers began to exploit these nontraditional comic genres in an attempt to regain disinterested readers. William Gaines, E.C.'s renowned publisher, helped to produce some of the milestones in the aforementioned areas. Gaines wasn't satisfied with being at the top of the existing genre titles. He wanted something that no one else had. When Harvey Kurtzman entered the picture, most of his ideas became E.C. blockbusters. None was as significant as Mad. Kurtzman's comic genius was at its prime with Mad. This was unlike any other comic ever published. It poked fun at personalities, movies, institutions, and other comics - and got away with it! Not only did kids think it was the greatest thing since Robin teamed up with Batman, but adults were slobbering over themselves trying to get a copy of it. I can clearly recall when I first discovered Mad in a used book store in the early 1950's. It was obvious that this was not like any other comic I had ever seen. When I began to scour the local news dealers for current copies of Mad, I was always disappointed. The comic format issues were elusive and I never did find one on the stands. Actually, I never found a copy on the stands until issue #32, which was six months into the magazine format. By the 10th issue, Mad was up to a print run of around 750,000 copies. The other publishers were well aware of Mad's success and weren't far behind in copying the new genre. A sub-culture of comic collectors who wanted all Mad imitators has become prominent over the last few years. The list of these imitators, however, is more extensive than one might at first guess. Compiled below is a list of titles that I am aware of. Undoubtedly a few titles may be absent, but as a large cross-section of a genre that has endured into today's competitive market, I hope it widens a few eyes and tickles a few funny bones.
"The Mad Imitators
Blast (magazine): These two issues in 1971 are not for kids.
Bill Everett did the cover for #1, which features art by Berni Wrightson and
Mike Kaluta, who also worked on #2.
Bughouse (comic): Struggled through four issues in 1954.
These issues contained typical Ajax/Farrell art.
Cracked (magazine): The first issue appeared in 1958 when Mad
went to a magazine size. As incredible as it sounds, Cracked has been the
most successful of the Mad imitators and is currently nearing issue 350. [The
final issue was #365 in 2004; three additional issues were published in
2006-2007 in a different format.] Although this title is seldom
available in comic stores, the publishers have relied on heavy sales through
military base PX stores to maintain momentum. Notable contributors
include: Al Williamson, Jack Davis, Wally Wood, Basil Wolverton, John Severin,
Bill Elder, Bill Everett, and Don Martin.
Crazy (comic): Seven issues came from Atlas in 1953-1954.
Art by Everett, Mort Drucker, Carl Burgos, Dave Berg, Joe Maneely and Howie
Post. The title was first revived for 3 issues in 1973 with reprints of
Not Brand Echh. In late 1973 it was switched to a magazine format and
lasted an incredible 10 years.
Crazy, Man Crazy (magazine): One of the transitional title
changes in the Charlton satire saga. The only issue to appear was Vol. 2
No. 2, from 1956. It features Basil Wolverton art and is very hard to
find.
Cuckoo (magazine): This strange satire magazine is a one shot
that appeared in 1955. It takes the Mad formula and uses it to satirize
the famous exploitation magazine, Confidential. This one
is loaded with bizarre photos.
Eh! Dig This Crazy Comic (comic): Ran for 7 issues in 1953-54.
Issue #4 is considered to be the rudest sexual innuendo cover to ever appear in
comics. Issue #6 would be considered as rude, however paled by the
vulgarity of #4.
Flip (comic): Two issues were done by Harvey Publishing in
1954. Staff artists Bob Powell and Howard Nostrand were the major
contributors.
Fooey! (magazine): Lasted for 4 issues in 1961. Fairly
bland.
Frantic (magazine): Existed for 4 issues in 1958-59. Vol.
2 No. 1 features art by John Severin and Jack Davis, who contributed much to the
success of Mad and the whole E.C. line.
Frenzy (magazine): Ran for 6 issues in 1958-59. The most
popular issue is #4 which has an infinity cover.
From Here To Insanity (magazine): This is a title change from
Eh! memorable issues of this bizarre Charlton series include: #10 which
has Steve Ditko art, #11 and #12 which feature a rare appearance by Jack Kirby
and the peculiarly numbered Vol. 3 No. 1 from 1956 which features art by Bill
Ward, Basil Wolverton and Ditko.
Get Lost (comic): Three issues appeared in 1954. Favorite
issues are #2, which poked fun at E.C. horror comics and #3, which is sought by
John Wayne collectors as it satirizes his classic film Hondo.
Goose (magazine): As a late entry into the field, Goose never
got off the ground. These were 3 uninspiring issues in the 1970's.
The first issue is on the want list of infinity cover collectors.
Help! (magazine): This unique title had photo covers and lots
of photo satire. It also recognized both classic comic art and innovative
new material. The later issues featured early appearances of Robert Crumb
and Gilbert Shelton.
Humbug (comic/magazine): More of the Kurtzman magic appeared in
11 issues published between 1957 and 1959. The last two issues were
magazine format. Don't miss these.
Loco (magazine): Lasted 3 issues in 1958-59. The classic
is #3, which has art by John severin and Jack Davis. It also features an
unauthorized appearance of Alfred E. Neuman.
Lunatickle (magazine): Joe Kubert worked on the last two issues
which came out in 1956. These aren't bad!
Madhouse (comic): This Ajax/Farrell title had two runs of four
issues each. There are some bust and bizarre covers in both series - 1954
& 1957.
National Crumb (magazine): One lonely issue appeared in 1975.
The under-financed publisher never had a chance to find out if this title would
gain acceptance.
Not Brand Echh! (comic): Marvel put out 13 issues in the late
sixties. Most of these make fun of contemporary Marvel super heroes.
Issue #7 takes a jab at D.C. and #10 has an E.C. tribute.
Nuts (magazine): Made it through two goofy issues in 1958.
Panic (comic): Sales were so great that Mad tried to copy
itself with Panic, which hung on for 12 issues from 1954 to 1956. Most of
the Mad staff appeared in the pages of Panic during its 2 year existence, but
this title didn't have the Kurtzman 'feel' that was a major factor in the
eternal popularity of Mad. The E.C. staffers appeared in #1 and the other
key issue in #12, which had limited distribution.
Panic (magazine): This title was lifted from E.C. by Panic
Publishing, although it has absolutely nothing to do with any item published by
E.C. It ran for 8 issues in the late 1950's. Several of these issues
were reprinted as Volume #2 issues in the 1960's.
Riot (comic): This Atlas title is a companion to Crazy and
Wild. It ran for 6 issues in 1954-56. Atlas staffers who worked on
these titles were Bill Everett, Gene Colan, Carl Burgos, and John Maneely.
Key issues are #4 (infinity cover), #5 (Marilyn Monroe/John Wayne parody), and
#6, which has a goofy Dennis the Menace cover.
Sick (magazine): This bizarre entry into the satire field had
an unbelievable 20 year run that started in 1960. This is one of the many
Mad clones to acquire the talents of masterful Jack Davis. Other highly
respected Sick creators are Joe Simon, who was involved with the first few
issues, Angelo Torres, and George Tuska. This title was almost never seen
as a new item in comic stores and is not a big news stand item. Sales at
PX stores on military bases helped Sick survive for two tedious decades.
Aside from the special issues, does anyone collect this bizarre title?
Snafu (magazine): Atlas/Marvel finally got with the magazine
program for 3 issues in 1955-56. Art was done by the usual gang.
These are not common and #1 is the most difficult to obtain.
Thimk (magazine): Frankenstein was the dominant cover feature
in the six issues that appeared in 1958-59.
Trump (magazine): In 1957, Harvey Kurtzman got ahead of
himself. The public wasn't ready for a 50 cent satire magazine.
There are only two issues and they are great. Try to find these if you
love satire.
Whack (comic): Joe Kubert was the motivator at St. John in
1953. The first issue was created as part of the 3-D craze. The
final two issues are standard comic book format. The art is quite good on
this title and these issues are one step above most of this type. They are
not, however, easy to obtain.
Wild (comic): Atlas usually took the shotgun approach, issuing
many titles of similar format and theme. Satire comics were no exception
and Wild was their third entry into the field. It ran for five issues in
1954. Atlas artists include Joe Maneely, Dave Berg, Gene Colan, Bill
Everett and Russ Heath.
Wild (magazine): Dell finally got around to publishing a Mad
clone in 1968. This is a fairly lackluster effort and is only one the want
lists of completists.
Zany (magazine): Very busy covers were the trademark of the
four issues published in 1958-59. The cover to the first issue was by Bill
Everett and features: Superman, Paladin, Katzenjammer Kids, a man in polka dot
underwear, Sgt. Bilko, Ernie Kovacs, a naked mermaid and lots more!"
"If you get a kick out of Mad, you owe it to yourself to try some of these titles that were aimed at the same audience. They are fun to read and are more than slightly addictive. Be careful, or you'll become a completist with a long want list!"
(Norris) "Editor's Notes: David left off a few that you might want to hunt down for your collection. These were supplied by Michael Lerner without commentary: Aardvark (1961), Apple Pie (1975), BallyHoo (1925 & 1962), Barf (1990), Blast (1971), Campus Humor (1960), Foo (1952, Canadian), Grump (1965), Harpoon (1974), National Lampoon (1970), Newswreck (1977), Parody (1977), Pow (1966), Ratfink (1964), Shook-Up (1958), Slam (1978), Something Else (1971), Trash (1978), Up Your Nose (1972), Whacko (1981), Warped (1990), and Yell (1966). Some others I know about include: Judge (1881), old Life magazines, Arrgh! (1974), Not Brand Ecch! (1967), Yak Yak (1961), Unsane (1954), Laugh In (1968), and Nuts! (1997)."
"What's New. The November 1997 issue of Diamond Dialogue has a feature on James Halperin's Mad collection. He's the person who purchased Jim McClane's collection. James wasn't doing too bad on his own! The Comic Shop News #547 has given MAD TV its 'The Bat-Madness Award.' You should be able to find this issue at any good comic shop for free."
"MAD Price Guide" [collector stuff]
"Pre-MAD Dept:" [cloth bag with AEN look-alike and 'mother pinned a rose on me.']
"The January 4, 1998 Sunday cartoon Luann, in the last panel, one of the characters is reading a copy of Mad. And, keep an eye open for a rerun of the Carol Duvall Show, episode 124, on HGTV. Sergio Aragones is a guest. Summary on www.hgtv.com/carol/cds-124.html."
"What's New Dept: Banana Peals - As it usually happens, I found the missing Don Martin Banana Peals card. So cut and paste this entry into the last issue: Vampire in Mirror - GB10.213 - Birthday. Test Marketing - Test marketing of the Mad magazine covers continues. Three issues have covers with and without the yellow border. Issues to date are #362-364. Still no word on the number of issues the test will run through. Swedish Mad Returns - Swedish Mad is back with a bang. The new issue has an original cover of Alfred E. Neuman getting married. They don't have any current plans for any premiums, but a Swedish edition of Mad About The Sixties has been released. All articles, including the forward [sic] and section introductions have been translated into Swedish. You can write to them at: Atlantic Forlags AB, PO Box 12550, 102 29 Stockholm, Sweden. The EC Companion - Grant Geissman and Fred von Bernewitz have signed a contract with Kitchen Sink Press for the book The EC Companion. The book will include major interviews conducted by Grant with Al Feldstein, Adele Kurtzman, Moon Girl artist Sheldon Moldoff, and others. Every EC comic book cover is pictured in full color. This project has been in the works for 3 1/2 years. A June 1998 release is scheduled. Groo - Sergio Aragones' Groo returns with a four issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics. The black and white series is scheduled for a January 28 release. A two page full colored poster of Groo has been released to advertise the publication. Ask your local comic dealer if he has a copy. Christmas Card - DC Comics sent a Christmas card out this year which is an Al Jaffee fold-in. Look for his signature in the material Alfred E. Neuman is holding. An owner of one of the comic shops I frequent gave me his card. Ask your comic shop dealer if he has one to give you. Thanks Steve! More Fold-ins - The inside front cover for the Archie Comics' December and January issues has an advertisement for Kit-Kat bars. The two different advertisements are in the form of a fold-in. The artwork is by Jack Davis. While not nearly as clever as an Al Jaffee fold-in, the comics are worth picking up just because they are a fold-in and are drawn by a Mad artist. Auction Results - In the January 2 issue of Toy Shop, there is a short article on a recent Toy Scouts auction. Two pieces of Mad Jewelry sold for four times its pre-sale estimate. A Mad tie clip was the auction's top seller, realizing $2,200 and a pair of Mad cufflinks sold for $1,595. Kovel' Antiques & Collectibles - Their 1998 price guide lists the following: Poster - Alfred E. Newman, Mad Magazine, Red, White, Blue, Black, Yellow, 4 x 2 In: $123, Anyone have a clue what this might be? And when did 4x2 inches become poster size? They also list a Cesar's mask as: Mask - Alfred E. Newman, Real Hair, Rubber, 1981: $125. Sucker! The Halloween Outlet in Worcester MA still has them for $35."
"Dentistry 101 - Frank Nuessel sent me this by the New York Times, September 4, 1997." [AEN has tooth gap in Mad but not in Newsweek.]
THE MAD PANIC No. 47 March 1998
Cover: Alf holding a picture of himself. (by Kent Gamble)
"Editorial Dept. (Not Much To Say But Fills Space Division): I was having a good day at work when Michael Lerner sends me a mail message telling me Antonio Prohias had died. Suddenly my day was dampened until I thought of all the laughter Antonio has given me. His Spy vs. Spy has always been one of my favorites and will continue to be. My 9 year old son loves to read and draw his own Spy vs. Spy cartoons. I let him look at my old Spy vs. Spy paperbacks, so he can see how great they once were, and never will they be duplicated. Sure the spies are still with us, but they lack the magic Antonio was able to deliver. I never had the pleasure of meeting Antonio, but he was nice enough to autograph a Fleer sticker that I had sent to him in the mail. You will be missed, but never forgotten! I want to welcome all of the Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine readers that have requested my fanzine. Seeing how you're wealthy enough to worry about personal finances, subscription rates double just for you, because you can afford to pay more! You won't get any additional or insider information, you just get a good feeling knowing that you contributed more so that I may someday actually want to request a free copy of Kiplinger's, because I too will want to know how to best invest my accumulated wealth. So remember, to help stimulate the economy, send $15.00 for a 1 year subscription. Please note that you saw the fanzine featured in Kiplinger's. Otherwise, I might credit you with a two year subscription. Alan Greenspan won't want that! Stay MAD, Ed."
"Antonio Prohias - Antonio Prohias, the cartoonist who drew "Spy vs. Spy" for Mad magazine, died on Tuesday [February 24, 1998] at Mercy Hospital in Miami. He was 77 and lived in Miami. The cause was lung cancer, said his daughter Marta Pizarro. From January 1961 until his retirement in 1990, Mr. Prohias presided over one of the longest-running, bitterest comic rivalries since Ignatz Mouse first hit Krazy Kat with a brick. The premise was simplicity itself. One espionage agent dressed in white tried to eliminate his counterpart, and espionage agent dressed in black. Both usually wore outsize fedoras and, although vaguely human in appearance, had elongated, triangular heads and shiny black insect-like eyes. Neither spoke. Occasionally, the plot thickened with the appearance of a mysterious gray female spy who wore a veil over her large hat. The black and white spies made perfect cold war antagonists, bent on annihilating each other by any means necessary, but doomed to an eternal standoff. Mr. Prohias was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba. He studied art at San Alejandro Academy in Havana but left school after a year to find work as a newspaper cartoonist. For many years he was the editorial cartoonist for El Mundo, a Havana daily, and his many awards included the National Association of Newspaper Journalists' first award for cartoon of the year, given in 1946. Soon after Fidel Castro came to power, Mr. Prohias began criticizing his policies in his cartoons, a habit that earned him the enmity of the government, which accused him of working for the Central Intelligent Agency. Mr. Prohias, aware that he was endangering his colleagues at El Mundo, resigned from the newspaper in February 1959 and found work painting trucks. It was some satisfaction that the Association of Newspaper Journalists again gave him its cartoon of the year award in 1959, a prize that was handed to him by none other than Mr. Castro. In May 1960, Mr. Prohias left Havana for New York. He spoke no English, but with his daughter Marta acting as an interpreter, he walked into the offices of Mad and showed his drawings. He was hired on the spot. Mr. Prohias based his spies on the Sinister Man, the macabre, mute antihero cartoon he contributed to the weekly magazine Bohemia and the newspaper ZigZag. After deciding that the character was too bleak for American tastes, he transformed him into the black spy and gave him an enemy, the white spy. Although Mr. Prohias's cartoons had a dark quality, he himself was a genial figure in his neighborhood of Jackson Heights, Queens, where he would buy art supplies for any local youngster who showed an interest in art. After Mr. Prohias's retirement, "Spy vs. Spy" was taken over by a series of cartoonists and is now drawn by Peter Cooper [Kuper]. Mr. Prohias's work was collected in Mad's Spy vs. Spy (1965), Mad's Spy vs. Spy Follow-Up File (1968) and Mad's Big Book of Spy vs. Spy Capers and Other Surprises (1982). In addition to his daughter Marta, who lives in Miami, he is survived by his wife Marta Leon, of Miami; a son, Antonio, of Miami; another daughter, Susana Schubert of Berlin; four grandchildren; five brothers, and two sisters. Frank Nuessel sent me the above article which appeared in The New York Times, March 2, 1998. It was written by William Grimes."
(Photo of Antonio Prohias by Hector Gabrino/El Nuevo Herald, 1997 with caption: "Antonio Prohias's 'Spy vs. Spy,' a cartoon about two cold war antagonists, caught the attention of Mad magazine in 1960.")
"I wish to thank Kent Gamble and Tom Anderson for sending me some great cover art. I'm covered through issue #50, but I still could use some more."
"Cuban-born cartoonist Prohias dies - Antonio Prohias, one of the great Cuban cartoonists of the century, died Tuesday of cancer at Mercy Hospital in Miami. He was 77. 'He made history with his drawings,' said Cuban cartoonist Silvio Fontanilla. 'He began at the newspaper El Mundo in 1947 and was one of the founders of the humor magazine Zig Zag. He created unforgettable characters, such as Hedgehog, The Black Sheep, The Sinister Man and the Spy-vs.-Spy couple.' Born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Prohias lived in Havana from the age of 6 months. He was 17 when he began studying art at the San Alejandro Academy, but academic rules did not appeal to his freewheeling spirit and he started looking for work in the city's daily newspapers. In 1946, after becoming a regular contributor to several publications, he won the Juan Gualberto Gomez Award, Cuban cartoonists' highest honor. 'He was our most transcendental and prolific cartoonist, the creator of a genuinely Cuban style,' cartoonist Fresquito Fresquet said. 'A tenacious student of human nature, he captured the essence of man in his drawings. His Sinister Man and the two spies typify the constant struggle of man vs. man.' Marta Rosa Pizarro, one of Prohias' daughters, described him as 'an avid reader of psychology and history books. Many of his cartoons were based on ideas that emerged from those books.' In 1959, when Fidel Castro came to power, Prohias, then president of the Association of Cuban Cartoonists, began to draw him as a Communist. His cartoons were denounced by the regime, and he was accused of being an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency. Castro himself went on television to show one of the caricatures that lampooned him and stated that 'a petty campaign is being waged against me.' His life in danger, Prohias fled to New York City in May 1960. He didn't speak a word of English, so he got a job ironing sweaters at a factory. Later, he was joined by his family and resumed drawing. His most popular characters, the two spies, were born at that time. Accompanied by daughter Marta Rosa, who served as his interpreter, Prohias walked into the editorial offices of Mad magazine and submitted his drawings. The strip was accepted immediately, the start of a relationship that lasted until Prohias' retirement in 1990, when he moved to Miami. Spy vs. Spy has become a classic in the world of cartooning. The strip has appeared in books, television and the movies. 'All of us at Mad are very saddened by Prohias' death,' Editor Nick Meglin said Tuesday. 'He was a gentleman. He brought us a new image that American cartoonists did not provide. His feeling of the absurdity of politics gave birth to Spy vs. Spy.' The characters are 'two crazed beings who try to destroy each other but end up hurting themselves,' Meglin said. 'Prohias was brilliant, creating outlandish weapons and resources for his spies. He was the only editorial cartoonist the magazine ever had. When I discovered him, I never realized that the strip would last for so long and that his work would enjoy the popularity it does.' Jose Varela, cartoonist for El Nuevo Herald, said that Prohias 'had a very special genius, because he did captionless cartoons, which are the hardest to do. His language was universal.' Prohias is survived by former wife Marta Leon; children Marta Rosa Pizarro, Antonio Prohias and Susana Schubert; and four grandchildren. Visitation is at Rivero Funeral Home, 3344 SW Eighth St.. At 10:30 a.m. today, a Mass will be said at St. Raymond Catholic Church, 3465 SW 17th St. Burial will follow at Woodland Park North Cemetery, 3260 SW Eighth St. The above article appeared in The Miami Herald, February 25, 1998 and was written by Armando Alverez Bravo. Michael Lerner sent it to me."
"Goodbye Antonio, thank you for years of laughter!"
"National Hot Rod Association Gears Up To Go MAD - Team Toliver and Mad Magazine have entered into a unique licensing arrangement. For the first time ever, there will be a Mad 'funny' car racing in National Hot Rod Association events. The Mad car will debut at races starting in late January, 1998. At the first such race, in Pomona, CA, Alfred E. Neuman himself will present the keys to Team Toliver owner/driver, Jerry Toliver. The deal, the first of its kind, not only gives Team Toliver the rights to drive the Mad car, but also includes a joint licensing agreement for other Mad/Team Toliver products, including die-cast collectible cars, apparel, housewares and other Mad stuff. The Mad/Team Toliver agreement was brokered by Steve Lashever of the William Morris Agency. Joel Ehrlich, Senior Vice President of Advertising and Promotion for DC Comics (which includes Mad Magazine) and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, said, 'This is an incredible opportunity, both for Mad and Team Toliver. The combination of Mad's irreverent spirit and NHRA's racing excitement can only lead to one thing - a win for everyone!' Jerry Toliver, owner of Toliver Motorsports and driver of the Mad funny car, was quoted as saying, 'We here at Toliver Motorsports are extremely excited about the 1998 NHRA Drag Racing season. This team is poised and ready to launch its campaign. The partnership with Mad Magazine through DC Comics and Warner Bros. is an incredible opportunity. We can't wait for the show to begin.' 'We're delighted to welcome Mad Magazine and DC Comics to the NHRA family of sponsors,' said Dallas Gardner, president of the NHRA. 'Race teams are the foundation of everything NHRA is about, and it's particularly gratifying Mad would take their first step into this exciting market with the race team. The fit with NHRA and DC is a great one and, after looking at demographics and target markets, we're confident the project will be an effective marketing tool for Mad. This is one company we are going to be able to have some fun with, and we'd better be able to laugh a little at ourselves because Mad spares no one.' "
"Driver License - Dick Hanchette recently found Alfred E. Neuman driver licenses at the local flea market. Not sure who's making them, but they aren't licensed by Mad."
"How Not To Market a Product: The Mad Case Study - Besides not letting its readers know about various Mad products being licensed, Mad usually associates itself with the market leaders. Hardees creates a Mad kid's meal with cut-down magazines. Doesn't Hardees sell hamburgers, I wouldn't know, I've never seen one. Tang hasn't soared since the last moon landing. And now Mad has sponsored a funny car. Let's look at some of the recent activity with their newest promotion. I found this information, as well as the article on page 6, on the NHRA website. Randy Parks completed his licensing runs at Phoenix, as did Frank Pedregon and Doug Kalitta. Jerry Toliver did not, aborting what looked like a good enough pass Monday to finish the licensing when he mistook the mid-track reflectors for the finish line and shut it off prematurely. No sign of him at SIR today, but if he's going to run the Mad Magazine car at Pomona, he has to complete his licensing by this weekend. (He gets his license.) Notes for Funny Car at the 38th annual NHRA Winternationals presented by Pennzoil, listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, position in order following run: Right Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 10.656/76.96 Psn #14. Toliver made his first-ever competitive pass in the Mad Magazine car and gave Alfred E. Newman a very shaky ride, shutting off after about 200 feet. Left Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 9.089/89.48 Now #14. Toliver pedaled the 'Mad' car several times before clicking it off. Right Lane: Jerry Toliver Runs 9.635/86.14 Now #18. Toliver was unable to get it hooked back up. Now before you think 89.48 miles per hour is good for a funny car, 309.06 miles per hour was the top speed during qualifying. The good news, there should be a bunch of Mad funny car related merchandise coming out over the next few months. Look for it at your favorite store which carries NHRA stuff. If it sells as fast as the car travels down the 1/4 mile, look for it in the reduced price bins."
"Mad Price Guide" [collector stuff]
(Photo of "The MAD Funny Car")
"What's New Dept: - Cracked #325 - Cracked magazine recently
celebrated their 40th year. The magazine contains a couple of Mad
references, which are pictured below. (Drawing of Mad magazine with
'Cracked' pasted over it; drawing of Cracked # 139 with AEN laughing on cover.)
Border(less) Update - Mad has finished the test of their border versus
borderless issues. My guess is the issues with borders won the battle
judging by the covers of the most recent issues. You can find the
following in both versions: #363 - Spice Girls; #363 - Jerry Seinfeld; #364 -
AEN as Santa. My understanding is the next marketing test will be staples
versus no staples.
Russ Cochran's Comic Art Auction - Two Mad stories are being auctioned.
Mort Drucker's 'The Irving Irving Story' from Mad #75. It's five pages
with a $600-800 estimate. The other is Jack Davis' 'A Mad Peek Behind the
Scenes at a Recording Studio' from Mad #144. It's two pages in one piece
with a $300-500 estimate. Four total pages appear in the catalog.
Call (417) 245-2224 for availability.
Another Mad Fanzine - Jerry Moore is publishing Mind Snack MADlog,
the newsletter of the MAD Collectors Registry. Issue number 9 is the first
in a fanzine format, the other 8 were in a newsletter format ... [discontinued]
Another Alfred E. Neuman Ring - I found another 'warehouse find' Alfred E.
Neuman ring at the local collectibles store. Instead of the black and
white photo on a red background. This one pictures the image from the late
1950s Asheville Post Card Co. postcard. It's a drawn Alfred on a blue
background. I wonder if they will 'find' the same image on money clips and
pill boxes? As Mad collectibles have gone up in price and popularity,
there seems to be more unlicensed stuff made. I know the Alfred E. Neuman
and bust has been reproduced. Let me know if you've seen any other fakes."
THE MAD PANIC No. 48 May 1998
Cover: Alf reading Mad Panic hidden by Mad. (by Tom Anderson)
"Editorial Dept. (Not Much To Say But Fills Space Division): I want to start by apologizing to Gary Kritzberg and Tim Johnson. I told them I would get this issue out early and give them a plug for their first MAD Auction. Instead of being early, I'm about a month late. The good news is that they had a very successful auction. A little too successful if you ask me, I got outbid on everything! I hope to do better in their next auction. Gary supplied the prices realized for this fanzine. Sotheby's is holding an auction on June 5th which is being billed as "MADsterpieces: Original Comic Art from the Mad Archives." A number of us MAD collectors will be attending the event. If you have a chance to attend do so. I'm looking forward to meeting, in person, a number of you whose voice I already know. We shouldn't be hard to find, I bet most of us will be wearing some type of MAD attire. The auction catalog can be ordered from their web site (http://www.sothebys.com) for $32. I hope to report more in next issue. I don't have a feature article this issue, so I'm just going to start throwing things in as I come to them. This has to be my most ill prepared issue to date. It also explains why it's late. I've picked up a bunch of short pieces and that will have to make do until the next issue. Stay MAD, Ed"
"MAD Magazine Card Game - I was in one of my favorite comic shops the other day and spotted the card game. I picked it up, shook it, smelled it, and put it back. As I was leaving I decided to purchase it if it was complete. I asked the dealer and he counted the cards, 77 of them. I know the game states there are 76 cards, plus with four blank cards listed in the instructions, there are a total of 80, so I assumed it was near complete. I got it for $8.95. When I took a closer look that night, I found four cards I've never seen before. They are advertisements for three other Parker Brothers games plus the French game Mille Bornes. Boggle is a blue card, Mille Bornes is green, Rook is red, and Flinch is yellow. These cards have the same backing as the other 80 cards. [shows copies of four cards.] Not being part of the game, I can see why kids tossed these cards. So if you're purchasing an open MAD Magazine Card Game, make sure it has all 84 cards. I think I now own a complete game, does anyone know of any other cards?"
"Do It Yourself Publishing - For years I've wanted business cards to give to dealers and fellow collectors. I've been too lazy and cheap to get them made. I wanted something more than a black and white card. Recently one of the guys I work with showed me his business card that he designed and printed himself. I hurried down to the local office supply store and purchased the business card stock. It came with instructions for formatting using numerous word processors. I was off and running. I was able to print up 100 for around $5.00 and about an hour's worth of time. I have a color printer, so my business card was done in full color. [shows copy of business card.] Richard Landivar recently sent me his card which he mounted on a magnetic backing. So have fun and create your own. I'm one of those sick collectors who saves these things, so send me your business card and I'll send you mine back. I'll also send one to anyone who includes a SASE."
"Jerry Toliver's MAD Funny Car suffered some damage at the Mopar Nationals in Englishtown, NJ. As the Mad Magazine Firebird neared the lights there was a flash from under the hood and the blowout panel (right in the middle of Alfred E. Neuman's forehead) went sailing through the air. No fire, the onboard extinguishing system doing its job, so after a quick cleanup we'll be back to racing. The car couldn't be repaired at the track so Toliver competed in an all black Firebird with a yellow MAD logo painted on the side. Toliver lost in the 4th round to Cruz Pendragon. (Doe anyone have a picture of the New MAD Funny Car?) Michael Lerner sent me this tidbit and I added the comment"
"For a good time type: http://www.tusco.net/wjer/rich/mad"
"MAD Action Figures - DC will inaugurate its new line with two releases from MAD Magazine. 'There'll be Spy vs. Spy [as a set], two figures; one black, one white,' said DC's Marketing Product Representative Emily Marcus. 'Each figure will have his own bag of tricks with various weapons and toys inside, and they'll both be 6 inches tall. Aftre that, our other release will be Alfred E. Neuman. He'll have his little sandwich board, with words that can be moved around.' The MAD figures will ship November 18, 1998. The above appeared in ToyFare #11, July 1998. The Comic Shop #565, April 22, 1998, reported that the PVC figures will only be available in comic shops. Their Mad Action Figures, including Spy Versus Spy and Alfred E. Neuman, will be articulated figures aimed at the collectible toy market."
"Antikamnia Advertisement - Gary Kritzberg recently sent me this very early advertisement found in a 1905 copy of American Dental Journal." [shows Antikamnia Chemical Company ad: 'It didn't hurt a bit!']
"MAD May Auction Prices Realized" [two pages of prices for collector stuff]
"MAD Price Guide" [more collector stuff - 1.5 pages]
"Al Jaffee Art on Display - Al Jaffee will be appearing at the East End Gallery on Friday, July 3rd, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Some of his artwork will be on display at the gallery from July 3rd through the 16th. The gallery is located in Provincetown MA which is on the tip of Cape Cod. Check out the web site at: http://eastendgallery.com."
"Cheech Martin [sic] - Look for a copy of the April 27th issue of People. Cheech can be seen with his wife playing the MAD Magazine Game on their bed."
"Sergio Aragones - Congratulations to Sergio for winning two Harvey Awards, named after Harvey Kurtzman. He received the Best Cartoonist and Special Award for Humor."
[another page of collector prices]
"MAD Intern Search - Have you ever wondered what it took to be a MAD intern. Below is a notice released for the search. Michael Lerner provided this information. That's right! We've begun our ninth annual nationwide search for two summer interns to join our (in)famous editorial staff. You'll participate in brainstorming sessions and work on article conception and development. You'll also work side by side with many of our artists and receive helpful hints about hockey and its history from a woman known as 'High Stick.' All MAD Interns MUST arrange to receive college credit in exchange for participation in the internship program. (You'll have to work this out with your department chairman, chairwoman, chairperson, or all three if necessary! Official documentation is required!) There is NO PAY involved. To qualify as a MAD intern, here's what you need to do: 1) Pick up a recent regular issue of MAD (not a Special) and familiarize yourself with it. 2) Come up with at least one premise for an article you think should be in MAD. (No TV or movie satires!) Give three examples of how you would develop it. Rough sketches are welcome but not necessary. Originality is prized. 3) Send all non-returnable materials to MAD Magazine, Internship Program, c/o Amy Vozeolas, 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and school. All entries must be received by April 20, 1998. All entrants will be notified shortly thereafter. Remember, all applications are treated as submissions, which means even if you're not chosen as an intern, you can still sell us an article. We pay top rates -- $400 per MAD page -- on acceptance! Many of our interns have made sales and gone on to have a continuing working relationship with the editors. The first internship begins June 1 and ends July 10. The second internship begins July 13 and ends August 21. Who knows? With any kind of bad luck, you could become one of 'The Usual Gang of Idiots!' Good luck! MAD-ly, The Editors"
"25c Cheap? - This piece of sheet music was recently up for bid and was purchased by someone who isn't an Alfred E. Neuman collector. The guy collects sheet music. This piece from 1904 sold for $228.50." [shows "Maloney's Wedding Day Songster"]
"Peaberry Coffee Bag - This is the item that attracted all of the attention during the MAD May Auction." [shows "Happy Peaberry Coffee" bag.]
THE MAD PANIC No. 49 July 1998
Cover: Alf wearing sunglasses. (by Kent Gamble)
"Editorial Dept. (Not Much To Say But Fills Space Division): My next issue will be number 50. I never thought I would still be publishing this cheap little fanzine for more than 8 years. I'm still having fun and don't see an end in sight. If you have anything special that you would like to include in the next issue, now is the time to send it to me. This issue contains the annual MAD Interest List. I've formatted it a little differently than in prior years. I've included a separate section for email addresses. I looked at the first Interest List I published and Stan Horzepa and I were the only two collectors (that we knew of) communicating on the Internet. Boy, have things changed! There are 25 readers, only 19 wanted to be listed, that I can now communicate with whenever I want. I get many ideas and pieces of information for this fanzine from these guys and gals. Jerry Moore recently interviewed me for his fanzine, MADlog, and we did it entirely over the Internet. Jerry, John Hett, and I have talked about the directions of our fanzines over the Internet. It's a great way to quickly communicate at little expense and at a leisurely pace. If you're not on the Internet, seriously consider doing so. Just looking at Dick Hanchette and Mark Cohen's web sites is worth the hookup cost. Just stay away from the ebay auctions, I have enough trouble trying to outbid the guys already on the Internet. Stay MAD, Ed"
"Fambly Album - Way back in issue #9 (September 1991) I reprinted an article that appeared in the New York Daily News (February 7, 1967) concerning the origin of Alfred E. Neuman. I'm going to reprint the relevant part below: 'He doesn't go back to 1880 and neither do I for that matter. The title of the book was 'The Fambly Album' and I believe it was written and illustrated by an artist named Frank Stafford.' Mrs. Ehrick continues: 'I acquired the book around 1928 and it was not new then. In it, Alfred - although I'm not sure that was his name - is a little boy of 10 or 11. The family minister comes to call and while waiting for his mother to come downstairs. Alfred decides to entertain the minister by showing the family photograph album. In the process of showing the pictures, Alfred reveals all the family secrets, and on the last page is the picture which I have seen so often in Mad magazine. For years I asked different book dealers about this book, I had to have it. I finally found a copy and couldn't believe it after looking through the book twice. Mrs. Ehrick had a lousy memory! This Frank Wing (not Stafford) book told the story about an eleven year old girl (not boy) named Rebecca Sparks Peters (not Alfred) who shows the book to the minister while her mother was at the 't' Baird's t' show' (not upstairs). The book was published in 1917 by The Reilly & Britton Co. The closest resemblance to Alfred E. Neuman in the book is shown on the next page. 'That's young Burgstresser,' states Rebecca Sparks Peters. Ironically, the last sentence about him reads, 'Gosh! But he was mad.' It wasn't the last picture in the book either! The last picture is a self-portrait of Frank Wing, who looks nothing like Alfred E. Neuman! While scanning the book, I notice Frank Wing had previously written and illustrated The Fotygraft Album, which is also shown to a preacher. Maybe Mrs. Ehrick had seen both books and mixed the facts! Being a bigger idiot than Alfred E. Neuman; I didn't have a difficult time finding this book so I purchased it, again sight unseen. Arrrgh! Frank Wing couldn't even remember his own book. The album was shown to Mrs. Miggs, a new neighbor. Another $10.00 down the drain! And this book doesn't even have anyone pictured that looks anything like Alfred E. Below are the cover and the closest picture to Alfred E. Neuman found in The Fambly Album. [copies of book cover and photo] For Sale: The Fambly Album, known for Alfred E. Neuman lore, and The Fotygraft Album. Best offer. Call Ed at 978-365-7628."
"Sotheby's Auction - I was planning to devote this issue to the Sotheby auction, but at the last minute I decided not to attend. Therefore, I don't have much material concerning the auction; you'll need to read about it in The Journal of MADness. In talking with a few of you, it was a great time. Many of the MAD pieces were available at bargain prices. Roger Hill sent me this photo of him with Annie Gaines working in the MAD vault looking for artwork to include in the auction. Roger wrote the almost 300 MAD art descriptions for the auction." [photo of Roger and Annie]
"Happy Boy - Mike Slaubaugh recently found some information on the Happy Boy Effanbee doll. I ran an article about these look-a-like dolls a while back, but didn't have a picture that shows the doll in all three available outfits. The dolls are listed as: all vinyl, comic character face, fully joined, painted features, molded hair, and has the mark FB29." [photo of three dolls]
"New PANIC Envelope - I recently ordered a couple of EC reprint back issues from Gemstone Publishing. I was surprised to see the envelope had a return address that stated PANIC and contained this Do Not Bend graphic. Not sure if it appeared in Panic or not." [copy of graphic]
"'New' Stationary - Grant Geissman recently sent me this letter written on a previously unknown style of MAD stationary. The MAD logo is in red. The page measures 11 x 7 inches. This November 27, 1956 letter, shown on opposite page, is from Bill Gaines to a person named Ron. I thought you might be interested in what Bill tells one of his readers. It appears to be the first page of a longer letter. 'Dear Ron - Thanks ever so much for your letter - & your noting the significance of Nov 17th! Very kind of you - Nancy was thrilled. No, it doesn't seem a year - & the year was well marked, because EC started really falling apart right after we returned from our honeymoon. Boy, never had such a year before, & trust it won't be repeated. First the Picto-Fiction laying such an expensive egg, then my distribution collapse wiping us out, Davis leaving. (Wood still with us at this writing!)"
"Old Business Card (Submitted by Bob Barrett)" [copy of card with 'Me - Worry? kid on one side; 'Henry H. Allen' on reverse.]
[copy of Bill Gaines letter]
"Sergio Aragones - The following info was posted on the Internet by Mark Evanier, dated Jun 15, 1998, regarding upcoming Aragones projects. (Submitted by Mike Slaubaugh) 'Hi, gang. I am working on the third issue of BOOGEYMAN tonight. The fourth issue will conclude that mini-series and then Sergio and I are doing a one-shot special for Dark Horse which will be called either THE DAY OF THE DEAD or its Spanish equivalent. It's an odd, change-o'-pace special. Then, probably the month after, we will probably have the first issue of a new four-issue GROO mini-series which will probably spotlight Rufferto in the story that we were once going to do as a RUFFERTO mini-series back at Image. Note all the 'probablies' in this paragraph. The first issue of our new DC book (a six-ish mini-series) FANBOY will probably be out around October. I am enormously happy with this book so far. It features Sergio collaborating with a number of guest artists each month. The first issue has Jerry Ordway, Matt Haley and Berni Wrightson in it ... the second will have Wendy Pini, Gil Kane and one other. It's a very silly comic.'"
"Wal-Mart Display - Jared Johnson found this rack display card hanging right in front of the newest issue of MAD. It may be exclusive to Wal-Mart because of the smiley face. There's a date of 22 June 98 on the front of the card. The card measures 5.5" x 9"." [photo of rack display card]
"Comic Shop News #575 - There is a short plug in the issue for the MAD #371 South Park double covers. But they got the information wrong, it's not an outside and inside cover. Dah!"
"MAD Interest List - 1998" [list of collectors]
"Interest List - Email" [list of collectors]
"Games Magazine - The August 1998 issue of Games magazine has a puzzle that matches product mascots with their slogans. One of the mascots is Alfred E. Neuman with the answer (of course) 'What, Me Worry?' (Submitted by Mike Slaubaugh)"
"Vietnam Patch" [photo of 'What Me Worry?' aviation patch]
"MADlog - Jerry Moore asked me 10 questions and he published the interview in the current issue of MADlog at: Mind Snack [old address]"
THE MAD PANIC NO. 50 September 1998
Cover: The Three Stooges look like Alf (Kent Gamble)
"Editorial Dept. (Not Much To Say But Fills Space Division) - I hit another personal milestone with this being the 50th issue. The good news, or bad if [you] don't like the fanzine but just purchase it because you have to have every Mad related that is currently, or previously, produced because other collectors will think that you're only a two-bit collector because you don't have everything related to Mad which has been produced, currently or previously, or even stuff which hasn't come out yet, but has been announced, and you don't know about it because you don't read this fanzine or the other two Mad related fanzines which are still being produced, but don't have the same longevity as this cheaply produced fanzine which costs less per issue than those other two, and is published more often, even if it is sometimes late by a day, week, or month, which is caused by me having other responsibilities having to be attended to because otherwise I may not have the money to purchase every Mad related item that is released, and if I don't have every item I may lose interest in the Mad collectible game which would cause me to stop producing this fanzine, which would be good news for the folks who believe this is bad news, and bad news for the folks who believe this is good news but will never write to tell me, is my next milestone is 75 issues. Thanks for all that have contributed over the past 8+ years. I couldn't have done it without your continuous support. I'm looking forward to at least another four years and thirty more dollars from each of you! Stay Mad, Ed."
"Subscription Cards: The Next Generation (with examples) - Not too long ago Mike Slaubaugh sent me an email message asking if I collected the subscription cards Mad started inserting loose into the magazine. I thought I was the only collector foolish enough to consider these collectible. Mike and I agreed on the fact that the old subscription cards were sought and some good money had been paid for some of those cards. Now was the time to collect them, not when they were actually fetching a substantial price. Starting with the December 1997 issue of Mad, loose subscription cards were inserted instead of the attached variety. It was a holiday special offering the reader one year for $22. If you didn't like someone enough to get a real gift, you could order a subscription for him or her for $18. The card is red and black. It only appeared in the one issue. Three different main designs have been issued during 1998. If you count the different color variations, there are eight different subscription cards. Each offered one year for $24. One of these is an Alfred E. Neuman border card stating that the offer is a 'Savings Certificate.' The card is available with a yellow, purple, red, and blue logo. The background of each is a lighter shade of its logo color. The next subscription card features Sergio Aragones art work. The mailman has placed a bomb inside Mad's mailbox and he's lighting the fuse. This card has only been found with the main color being burgundy. The last of the three also features Sergio Aragones art. This time the mailman is showing a group of guys someone's mail. They are all laughing at the letter while the letter's owner looks on. This card has been found with the following colors: blue, red, and green. The September 1998 issue had two new subscription cards in its pages. Both announce a new subscription premium. Mad is giving away a 'FREE Erasable Mad Memo Board' with each one year subscription. The first is a red regular subscription offer card. This one will save you $5000 assuming you fly to Singapore every month to pick up your issue. The text within the board states, 'Our promise: This memo board looks better in reality than it does here!' The second card is pink. You can get an erasable board for a friend by ordering him or her Mad for $22. You save $2! All of these cards have codes on them which I haven't been able to decode as of yet. The card to your left has the code 2NJG1. Others have codes such as 7NAG6, 7NFG1, and 7NBR1. If anyone has figured these codes out, please let me know. I'll pass the information along in a future issue. If you have been purchasing Mad for the past year, this next generation of subscription cards shouldn't be hard to add to your collection. If you've been throwing them away, start saving your money. By the time you see them in the open market, you'll be paying dearly for them. And as always, if I missed any subscription cards please let me know."
"The Boardwalkers - The music group The Boardwalkers released this 45 rpm record (Spy vs. Spy surfer and skin diver on album cover) sometime during 1994. The artwork is by M. Colby. Spy vs. Spy is the name of the song on side one, with side two being titled Boardwalkers. The record is available for $3.50 plus $2.10 postage, add .25 for each additional record. Send to Dionysus Records, PO Box 1975, Burbank CA 91507. Roland Coover submitted this information."
Incredibly Mad Auction - Michael Lerner decided not to run his famous Mad auction this year. Tim Johnson has put together a great replacement. I was drooling over some of the items. I hope you get what you want, unless I'm bidding on that item!" (Announcement for "The 1st Annual Incredibly Mad Auction")
"The MAD PANIC Issue #1-25 Index - This index is listed by groupings. The number on the far right is the issue number and page, example: 9.3 would be issue 9, page 3. The editorial usually appeared on page 2 of each issue, except where listed.
Original Articles
5 Questions with Dave Berg 9.3
5 Questions with Dick DeBartolo 4.4
5 Questions with Sergio Aragones, original artwork 8.3
Article Collecting by Michael Lerner 9.2
Board Game MADness 6.9
Canadian Cover Prices by Rick Long 20.9
Gag Gift Packs 22.5
Gaines EC File Copies 24.9
I'm Buying War Bonds 10.3
Kovacs & MAD by Michael Lerner 12.9
MAD Appearances on Television by Michael Lerner 12.3
MAD Appearances on Television, update (1) 13.1
MAD Appearances on Television, update (2) 15.8
MAD Art Show Collectibles Checklist by Mark Cohen 24.5
MAD Collectibles: I'll Have Mine Rare Please by M. Lerner 21.4
MAD Discography 5.4
MAD Discography, foreign record 6.4
MAD in the Movies by Michael Lerner 13.1
MAD Office Visit by Michael Lerner 22.3
MAD Trading Cards by Stan Horzepa 16.5
MADness, article as printed by Name of the Game 8.1
Showing An Interest In MAD 21.8
Son of Happy Boy by Michael Lerner 25.7
Spy vs. Spy: The Case Of The Hidden Video Games 20.4
The Complete Australian MAD Checklist by David Williams 11.3
The Complete MAD Sticker Checklist, Rick Stoner cover 7.5
The MAD Artist Quiz by Mark Cohen 25.5
The MAD Magazine Logo by David Williams 25.3
The Parody of MAD by Michael Lerner 10.1
Reprinted Articles
A MAD World Loses Its Creator - SF Examiner 14.2
A Perfect MAD Man - Time 14.5
A Time For Panic - Fanfare #1 6.1
Collectors Network - SodaNet 16.6
Comic book circulation figures 1991 - CBG 15.8
Don't Get MAD, Get Autographs - The Press democrat 12.11
Guest Writer - Inside Trading News (Limerock) 16.4
Harvey Kurtzman Is Dead at 68 - New York Times 18.B
Images - Sidney Morning Herald 16.9
It may be MAD, but there's a method in it - Baltimore Sun 4.1
MAD About the Dellwoods, letter - DISCoveries 5.3
MAD Marches On - Boston Globe 1.1
MAD publisher Gaines leaves madcap legacy - USA Today 14.4
MAD Youth - Life 15.6
MAD: Still crazy after all these years - USA Today 2.1
MAD's Name Is Far From Mud - LA Times Calendar 7.1
Mystery Lifts a Little - New York Daily News 9.1
No Tears, Please, Laughs Only - Cleveland Plain Dealer 14.8
Now Croc of Ol'd Dundee is really MAD - The Sune (Sidney) 16.9
Of Men and MAD - Tikkun 13.6
Panic According to Feldstein - Panic #1 1.4
Radio Station 2BL, radio interview (1) 17.5
Radio Station 2BL, radio interview (2) 18.8
Radio Station 2BL, radio interview (3) 19.4
Somewhere Down Under, TV interview with Dick DeBartolo 13.4
Sporting Life: Cricket champion Waugh goes MAD - D.T.M. 11.7
Still MAD After All These Years - Newsweek 5.1
The Freaky World of Alfred E. Neuman - SF Sunday Exam. 3.1
The mad, mad world of MAD (1) - The Peninsula Time Tribune 1.9
The mad, mad world of MAD (2) - The Peninsula Time Tribune 2.9
The mad, mad world of MAD (3) - The Peninsula Time Tribune 3.4
The mad, mad world of MAD (4) - The Peninsula Time Tribune 4.9
The mad, mad world of MAD (5) - The peninsula Time Tribune 5.9
The Man Who Drove America MAD - Entertainment Weekly 14.10
When Is A Parody A Plagiarism? - Publisher's Weekly 9.9
William M. Gaines is Dead at 70 - New York Times 14.3
Youth are far from the MAD-ding crowd - Australian newspaper 24.3
(Copies of covers of THE MAD PANIC number 1 and 25)
Pre-MAD Items
All Angels Have Freckles postcard 23.10
Bowling shirt with Alfred E. Neuman 22.10
Cherry Sparkle soda bottle topper 2.5
Chester W. VA. Souvenir ashtray 17.12
Comfort Soap pinback button 6.5
Farmhouse Ice Cream Co. postcard 25.10
Generic Me Worry? No postcard 19.10
Happy Jack Beverages soda bottle 23.4
I Should Say Not thermometer 20.10
I Work For The Guv'mint postcard 8.10
I.M.A. Simp pin back button 6.5
I'm in Hollywood postcard 10.10
Jolly Boy kite 3.3
MAD's full page tribute to William Gaines, New York Times 14.6
Male and female Alfred E. Neuman postcard 16.10
Malmberg's pinback button 6.5
Me Worry? Not in Hollywood postcard 18.10
Newton - My Apologies, 8.5x11" poster 3.5
One Out of our Sunday School Class postcard 9.10
Pearl Beer Distr. Co. postcard 4.5
Responsible People Don't Drive ink blotter 24.10
Sebastian Inn tradecard 11.10
So What? postcard 3.10
Staehler's matchbook cover 15.10
Superior - 1941 pinback button 6.5
Sure - I'm for Roosevelt postcard 1.5
Tin coasters, 'Me Worry?' and 'Son of Me Worry?' 5.5
MAD Collectibles
Accuracy Is Our Watchword plastic postcard 21.10
Action Comics #386 19.3
Alfred E. Neuman puppet 20.3
Aurora 1965 model catalog 15.12
Australian MAD At Your Newsagent Now sticker 23.12
Baby Barry doll 4.3
Barf #1 2.4
Berserk Candy Works MAD candy 19.3
Berserk Candy Works MAD candy 22.8
Best of Cracked Magazine card #11 3.7
Button Exchange pinback buttons 19.3
Calendar, 1993 edition 13.8
Calendar, 1993 edition 15.9
Cherry Sparkle soda repro tin sign 17.4
Collectibly MAD book 12.7
Collectibly MAD book 22.9
Counterfeit MAD tie 24.11
Cracked #255 2.4
Defective Comics trading cards, Bad #1 19.3
Dick DeBartolo book list 4.10
DISCoveries, April 1990 2.4
Dvorak's Inside Track to the MAC 13.8
Effanbee doll response to letter from Michael Lerner (1) 22.11
Effanbee doll response to letter from Michael Lerner (2) 25.6
German MAD #118 cover, RIP Jim Henson 3.8
Gibson Greetings cards, bags, gift wrap and stickers 22.9
Greeting card by Ambassador 12.8
Greeting cards by Colorado company 12.7
Happy Chap doll by Effanbee 16.3
I Read Australian MAD sticker 22.12
Ich bin verruckt German sticker 21.12
Limerock MAD trading cards 15.4
Limerock MAD trading cards, second series 16.8
MAD bootleg busts 22.9
MAD boxer shorts and ties 13.9
MAD neck ties 19.3
MAD products that are not being released after-all 22.9
MAD ties by Watson Brothers 22.9
MAD record album, concept cover 10.8
Model and Toy Collector, Spring 1990 2.4
New York News Day article 12.7
OSP Publishing posters 19.3
Pinball machine featuring Alfred E. Neuman and MAD 12.7
Russ Cochran MAD Auction #16 12.6
Sick #2, Sick magazine's second album 15.10
Slot machine by Sega Continental 19.9
Slot machine by Sega 19.6
Stamford Museum MAD art show t-shirt 25.12
Subscription wrappers 24.8
Swing with Scooter #9 25.8
The Adventures of Jerry Lewis #89 21.7
Tri-State Multi-Media Event advertisement 15.11
Wacky Packages card #145 3.7
Warner Stores Alfred E. Neuman $2500 bust 23.5
Warner Stores Alfred E. Neuman statue 25.9
Warner Stores Dave Berg desk plaques 23.12
Warner Stores denim jacket 19.3
Warner Stores jigsaw puzzle and playing cards 24.8
Warner Stores napkins, watches, play cards, jewelry, etc. 22.9
Wimmin's Comix #17 13.9
Wolvertoons book 2.4
(Copies of covers of THE MAD PANIC numbers 11 and 23)
Stuff found in the Filler Dept
Alfred's MAD Memo Pad 10.9
Annie Gaines on life with Bill 24.4
Applause coffee cups 5.10
Calendar list 6.11
Concepts Plus watch variations 5.6
Cover variations for MAD #123 2.9
Halloween gift paperback books 6.11
Hussein Asylum Edition covers 7.15
Hussein Asylum Edition covers, update 8.9
Kitchen Sink cartoonist pinback buttons 4.3
Limerock promo card variations 17.3
MAD #220 variations (Note: info is wrong) 6.4
MAD #78, 171, 227 cover variations (Note: info is wrong) 7.15
MAD Collector's Series #5 variations 17.11
MAD Special #82 variation 20.11
MAD squirt toys by Imagineering 10.8
MAD Sticker Album variation 1.9
Mark Cohen's MAD art show schedule 17.12
Mark Cohen's MAD art show schedule 20.3
Mark Cohen's MAD art show schedule 25.5
Parent's Magazine giving MAD a "C" rating 1.4
Pre-CRACKED pinback button 9.7
Screwball, The MAD MAD MAD Game 2.8
The New Yorker, one paragraph on MAD magazine 5.9
(Copies of covers of THE MAD PANIC numbers 17 and 22)
Miscellaneous Stuff
Al Feldstein's Tom Thumb record art 13.11
Al Jaffee MAD (yeech!) Rejects - book review 3.14
Alfred E. Neuman look-a-like dolls 23.6
Alfred E. Neuman picture in advertisement - Sydney Herald 18.6
Big Bucks MAD, 1994 Overstreet prices on MAD 25.12
Bill Gaines and Don Martin letter exchange 12.7
Cecil Sutton artwork, follow-up to the cover 17.6
Classified Ads 1.11
Classified Ads 2.11
Classified Ads 3.15
Classified Ads 4.11
Classified Ads 5.11
Classified Ads 6.3
Comic Book Superstars 24.8
Completely MAD - book review 11.8
Completely MAD press information 11.9
David Williams Editorial 11.2
Don Martin Funny Papers greeting cards 25.9
Don Martin Magazine 23.12
Don Martin Magazine 24.8
Don Martin's droll Book 16.8
Don Martin's Packet PC advertisement art 21.11
EC Vidzine 12.5
First use of the name Alfred E. Neuman 10.9
Get Smart appearance for Alfred E. Neuman 21.6
Groo t-shirt and cloisonne pin 13.9
Harvey Kurtzman tribute 18.A
Harvey Kurtzman's Jigsaw Puzzle Book art 13.11
Interest List 17.3
Interest List 23.3
Jack Davis' Entertainment Weekly Batman art 15.3
Jack Davis' football towel art 17.13
Jack Davis' Frankenstein door poster 13.8
Jack Davis' Fun Fruits trading card art 18.11
Jack Davis' Great American Smokeout advertisement 11.11
Jack Davis' Jokes From The Crypt book art 16.11
Kitchen Sink trading cards 16.3
Letters to the Editor 1.3
Letters to the Editor 2.3
MAD artists with record cover artwork 12.10
MAD Collectibles Alert by Grant Geissman 24.12
MAD Comic Imitations 10.7
MAD t-shirts and boxer shorts 25.9
Mark Cohen MAD art exhibit schedule 12.7
Mark Cohen MAD art exhibit schedule 13.10
Mort Drucker's People magazine stamp art 19.11
Mort Drucker's Burger King bag 9.11
Mort Drucker's Kibbles 'n Bits advertisement 10.11
Paperback book publisher information 20.12
Paul Coker Jr.'s Hallmark greeting card 8.11
Rick Tulka's How To Get A Job comic cover art 23.11
Sergio Aragones MAD As Usual! - book review 2.10
Sergio Aragones' Smokehouse Five book 12.5
Sotheby's Comic Auction Catalog 12.6
Spy vs. Spy trading card checklist 20.11
Stop using MAD copyright stuff letter 4.2
Tales from the Crypt trading cards 20.12
The MAD Magazine TV Special 21.3
The Weather MAD - book review 1.10
Trivia Contest 18.3
Trivia Contest 23.8
Cover Art
Rick Stoner logo #1 - Issue 3
Rick Stoner logo #2 - Issues 5-10
Cecil Sutton - Issues 11-13, 15-21, 23-25
William Gaines seated at his desk, photograph - Issue 14
Matt Teske - Issue 22
Giveaways
MAD series 1 card from Limerock 15
MAD series 2 promo card from Limerock 17
Spy vs. Spy promo card from Limerock 18
Defective Comics promo card from Active Marketing Intl. 19
William Gaines trading card from Cardz 20
Free MAD magazine in poor condition 21
(Copies of covers of THE MAD PANIC numbers 3 and 19)
"The MAD Collectible of the Month (Part II) - If you don't know by now, there is another MAD fanzine trying to compete with this fanzine for readership numbers by producing better articles, graphics, layout, etc. So I'm going to one up The Journal of MADness and add some more detail to the article John Hett was attempting to write, which appeared on his back cover entitled The MAD Collectible of the Month. (photo of gift cards) The card on the left is similar to card number two in JoM. It's the same size and wording, the exception being the subscriber receives 19 issues instead of 20 issues. It's on a pre-paid 4 cent postcard. The card on the right is basically the same as card number three in JoM. The difference being it's on a pre-paid 15 cent postcard, and MAD has used a rubber stamp on top stating, 'First Mailing in February.' So, there you have it ... two MAD Christmas Gift Subscription Cards that John missed. I'm sure there's more that we both missed. Let me know of any others. You can subscribe to The Journal of MADness for $25 for four issues. Back issues of #2-4 are available for $6.25 each. A reprint of #1 for $7.50. Send (way more money than you pay for this fanzine) to: John Hett, 7420 Calhoun, Dearborn MI 48126. Be sure to let John know you like The MAD Panic better!"
"GUFF! Stuff - Dark Horse Comics has released what appears to be a one-shot comic called Guff! Sergio Aragones has one of the two covers, depending on which way the shop owner faces the comic, and 5 pages of black and white artwork totaling 30 panels. His new character is a teenaged boy named Timoteo. The other cover is drawn by John Pound. He teams up with writer Jay Lynch in a 3 page black and white Meanie Babies story. Also included is a gum card of the Pound cover." (copies of both covers)
"DC Going MAD with Direct Marketing-Exclusive Action Figures - They've amused generations of readers for decades in print, and soon three of MAD magazine's best-known creations - mascot Alfred E. Neuman and the Black & White antagonists of Spy vs. Spy - will be brought to life as 6' tall action figures by DC Comics. Each figure will have multiple points of articulation, and will be equipped with plenty of special features and whimsical accessories, ranging from spinning heads to outrageous weapons of comedic destruction. Recreating the cover boy whose amiable face has greeted MAD readers to nearly each month's issue since the 1950s, the fully painted Alfred E. Neuman figure will sport six points of articulation (including shoulders, elbows, and knees), plus a spinning spring-loaded head. Accessories will include a base stand and a removable sandwich board with 10 changeable messages that will make it an ideal complement to any home or office toy display. Each limited-edition figure will be packaged in a four-color blister pack, and will be exclusive to Direct Market for five months. For each increment of six that a dealer orders will be five regular figures plus one variant. The initial shipment will be sent November 18 with a second shipment arriving by year's end. (From Diamond Dialogue, August 1998)" (with photographs)
"Muffler Man - Half Wit - The folks from Snow Global Industries, Inc. have produced a Muffler Men t-shirt that pictures the Alfred E. Neuman muffler man face. You can get the order form from their web site http://roadsideamerica.com/hut or send payment to 665 Highway 35 Suite 23, Middleton NJ 07748. The prices are $17.95 for a large or XL shirt and $19.95 for a XXL shirt, plus include $4.00 for shipping and handling. Be sure you note that you saw this offer in this fanzine. There's more information about the Muffler Man series of characters at their web site." (with photographs)
"ATF Patch - This ATF Tactical Operations Officer patch recently appeared in a recent on-line auction. The spy's hat and the highlights are in blue instead of white. It sold for $24.65." (with photograph)
"What Else Is New - Michael Lerner reports that the latest issue of Make-Up Artist has a feature article about the person who does all of the bizarre special effects for MADtv. He found an issue at the local newsstand. Dick Hanchette has put up a new domain for his MAD site, which includes Doug Gilford's MAD cover site. Take a look at http://www.collectmad.com."
"MAD Funny Card Photos - Tanya Dvorak, an acclaimed Hot Rod photographer, has released three great photos of the MAD funny car. The photographs are 8 x 10" full color ear splitting images. I just hope they sell faster than the first run Jerry Toliver took down the track aith this beauty. The prices are $19.95 each framed, any 2 for $34.95, and all 3 for $42.95. You can contact Tanya Dvorak at 11109 NE US Highway #301, Waldo Florida 32694-4327." (with photographs)
"MAD Man Fan Club - The first part of the long awaited MAD Man Fan Club kit arrived. The letter on the right states that the club newsletter and membership card are on the way. At least we got the pin (pictured below) and t-shirt." (with photographs)
"Political Postcard - This postcard dated March 1949 states that you should 'Stop Worrying, It's In The Bag!' It's from Mac Hanes, campaign manager. The back states: 'Elect Alton Hanes, the craziest trader in North Texas ... For Mayor ... And have a man that has already proven his future. The only time to ever look back is in judging a man. Then judge that man according to his accomplishments in the past. A city is like a man. The city is judged by its past. Elect a man now that will work for the future of Wichita Falls instead of himself. Listen to Hanes smoke the politicians out from behind the smoke screen, wednesday, 8:30 P.M. on radio station KWFT'."