Image via Wikipedia
hjkjh
Mad about Mad?
When I first got the idea about Mad Magazine, my immdieate association was the 60’s. The irreverance for all things establishment that is the hallmark of Mad just seems to shout 60’s. My faulty memory is to blame as well. When I search my memory, my memories about Mad start in the 50’s. I probably got my hands on a copy or two but it mostly went right over my head or scared me to death. I know that I never purchased an issue although looking back, I should have passed on Les Miserables and subscribed to Mad. It would have given me a much better perspective on life – and the world in general than the ‘color inside the lines’ philosophy I picked.
By the time I became aware of Mad, it had evoloved from the origianl comic book format to a real magazine and Alfred E. Newman was it’s personification. The contents were intoxicating and subversive. I knew that reading Mad was not good for me but I couldn’t not look.
So what was so irresistable about Mad?
It had no respect for anybody or anything- including itself.
The Mad Philosophy
Pulitzer Prize–winning art comics maven Art Spiegelman said, “The message Mad had in general is, ‘The media is lying to you, and we are part of the media.’ It was basically… ‘Think for yourselves, kids.'” William Gaines offered his own view: when asked to cite Mad’s philosophy, his boisterous answer was, “We must never stop reminding the reader what little value they get for their money!”
Mad influenced generations of Americans
If you remember being influenced – even slightly by Mad Magazine, you will want to refresh your acquaintence. Mad Magazine is still going strong after 50 years. You can even find an archive of all the Mad Magazine covers to stimulate your memoies. And take the Mad Quiz to test your knowledge. (I scored only 45%). Then share your memroies of Mad Magazine. Were you an avid reader- in high school? College? All your life? Or did you- like me veer away from Mad;’s messgage to trust no one and look away when you saw it at the news stand. Did the Mad perspective influence you as you grew up and tok a place in society?
And if you want to know what Mad is up to these days, Mad takes aim on Justin Bieber. What’s not to love?
I had NO idea that Mad still existed. I credit my political activism of the last 40 years to that magazine (still have the ones on the Nixon impeachments).
Thank you for reconnecting me!
Janette,
Happy to be of service. Some good old things are still around.
Janette,
I’ll bet you scored better than me on the quiz.
I remember being a subscriber. When the issue arrived, I read it cover to cover including the little quips that were printed vertically in the center fold.
I can’t remember anything else about the magazine except my addiction to it.
Judy,
Did you take the quiz?
I seem to remember MAD being sold over here Ralph, although I never bought it.
Did the film ‘It’s a mad, mad, mad world’ have any connection to the magazine?
I took the quiz, although most were educated guesses -11 out of 20.
Bill
Ashton-under-Lyne, UK
Bill Murney’s last Blog Post ..Niche Ideas Research – Part 3
Bill,
As far as I know there is no connection to the movie. If there is, it might be mentioned on the website. Despite not reading Mad, you seem to have scored better than me. No fair!
I loved Mad! Their illustrators, especially Wallace Wood, still influence me today. The stuff from the 50’s was their best in my humble opinion.
Hansi’s last Blog Post ..Snooki
Hansi,
I could have guessed. Strewellpeter would be so proud.
Ralph@retirement lifestyle’s last Blog Post ..Retirement Adventure-Sweep out the cobwebs