After almost seven decades, the iconic MAD magazine will halt publication of new content and vanish from newstands, according to CNN. Its last new issue will be in August 2019.
“After issue #10 this fall there will no longer be new content — except for the end-of-year specials which will always be all new,” reports ABC News. “So starting with issue #11 the magazine will feature classic, best-of and nostalgic content from the last 67 years.” Entertainment Weekly reports that “MAD will continue to publish a year-end issue with new content” and “MAD books and special collections.”
The beloved humor magazine was founded in 1952, originally in comic-book form. It switched to the current magazine format in 1955.
Former MAD editor Allie Goertz, who resigned MAD last month, tweeted, “MAD is an institution with such a rich history. It informed just about every comedian and writer I (and probably you) look up to.”
“Working at MAD was a childhood dream come true,” she tweeted. ” I worked with ICONS. Sergio Aragonés visits were common. Al Jaffee still does the fold-in!”
Weird Al Yankovic, who recently had the honor of being guest editor, tweeted, “I am profoundly sad to hear that after 67 years, MAD Magazine is ceasing publication. 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. #ThanksMAD.”
MAD is a part of the DC Comics group, which in turn is owned by Warner Brothers, which is then owned by AT&T’s WarnerMedia. Its readership peaked in 1974, when more than 2 million subscribers followed along. In the digital age, it is no longer the influential satirical force it once was.
However, recently, President Donald Trump compared the Democratic nomination candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg to MAD‘s mascot, Alfred E. Neuman. Buttigieg reacted, “I’ll be honest. I had to Google that. I guess it’s just a generational thing. I didn’t get the reference.” He then added, “It’s kind of funny, I guess. But he’s also the President of the United States and I’m surprised he’s not spending more time trying to salvage this China deal.”
In reaction to the news, The Guardian called MAD‘s demise “the end of satire.”
Be Sure To Support Our New Doc on MAD Magazine!
By total coincidence, Chassy is helping to fund a new doc on the history and glory of MAD magazine, called “When We Went MAD.” (Read more about it here). The doc — which you can help support — includes the pub’s rise, as well as the skillful writers, editors, and illustrators who fueled its iconic status. Flower Street Docs — headed by our own Adam Carolla, Nate Adams, and Mike August — will be managing and helping to fund the joint.
We’ve Got More Comedy Docs!
Be sure to check out our own Adam Carolla in concert. Not Taco Bell Material is Adam’s first stand-up special, which is based on his New York Times bestselling autobiography. It’s a chock-full of tales from Adam’s youth, which prove to be both hilarious and inspiring.
Check out more of our documentaries here!
Find out more about how you can invest in “When We Went MAD!”
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