The back cover of the latest issue is a MAD classic from 1971 by Jack L. Thurston, a noted paperback and movie poster artist, that speaks to the real horrors of our lives.
Thurston was responsible for some of the most evocative images from my youth, not the least of which was his rendition of the fabulous Raquel Welch in her world-famous fur bikini.
Beneath a brand new front cover by Bob Lizaraga featuring some horror movie terrible toys, dreadful dummies and deadly dolls we find the exceedingly familiar mug of Alfred E.(What Me Worry?) Newman glaring at us. It's the latest release from the "Usual Idiots" at MAD magazine and marks yet another turning point in the long history of America's premiere satirical rag. With this issue MAD becomes virtually all reprint. Of the eighteen advertised features in the table of contents only three are new, a Spy Vs. Spy from Peter Kuper, a double-page spread from Tom Bunk, and a two item from Sergio Aragones (along with his omnipresent doodles in the borders). One other new item listed in the contents is not actually in the book. Also there's a nifty new fold-in by Johnny Sampson. Save for few of the new pieces, the book is mostly black and white, returning to its classic mode.
But it's not necessarily a weak issue by any means. There are two movie adaptations by Mort Drucker and two by Jack Davis. And there are two features of considerable length by Wally Wood. There's also a color version of arguably my favorite George Woodbridge cartoon called "The Werewolf". It's some good vintage stuff, but alas it's vintage and while that appeals to me, a member of the evidently diminishing audience, it bodes poorly for the future. But maybe MAD will find an equilibrium at some point and be able to continue. I find some regular "MADness" has made the last several years of national real-world satire a bit more bearable.
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