Blog
MAD Goes to Comic-Con
AND THE GEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH DEPT.
The San Diego Comic-Con 2012 is now history. Thanks to all those who attended the MAD panel or who stopped by the DC Entertainment booth to say hello.
We'll have more on the Con as the week goes on. In the meantime, here's some photos for those who couldn't be there. (Maybe next year!)
The rear of the MAD display in the DC Entertainment booth featured classic MAD cover art by Jack Rickard.
The gigantic Alfred mosaic from the cover of MAD #400 provided a great photo-op.
Alfred's smiling face could be seen from all over the San Diego Convention Center...
...as could Peter Kuper's "Spy vs. Spy" illustration (seen here with Peter Kuper himself)!
The MADropolitan Museum of Art, featuring reproductions of MAD Super Hero cover illustrations, was a big draw...
...and so was the "Just-Us League" display, featuring Alfred-ized versions of heroes and villains from the DC Universe.
SDCC 2012: Mad about MAD
This weekend, thousands of the best writers, artists, editors and journalists have gathered in San Diego for Comic-Con, in what’s become one of the most important and prestigious pop culture events in the nation. So what is MAD doing there? We’re still trying to figure that out, but today we’re taking a break from the figuring to host “Mad about MAD,” a no-holds-barred Q&A panel featuring MAD magazine editor John Ficarra, art director Sam Viviano, assistant art director Ryan Flanders, Sergio Aragones, Tom Richmond and Peter Kuper.
So far it looks like the audience will be comprised of a few people who fell asleep during the panel before ours and a crew of confused Klingons looking for the bathroom. Oh, and you, of course! You can follow along with the action as it takes place below. It’s our live coverage of the Mad about MAD Comic-Con panel, and it’s available to you for absolutely free. Because, really, who would want to pay for it?
Check it out:
Reasons Why Amtrak is a Billion Dollars in Debt
NO TRAIN, NO GAIN DEPT.
Recently, it was revealed that Amtrak is a billion dollars in debt. A Billion! With a "B"! Do you have any idea how many tickets they'll have to punch just to get out of that hole? Where did the nation’s most bothersome method of transportation go wrong? Well, luckily for you we have some hunches about how Amtrak actually got itself into this financial train wreck.
Things You Don’t Want to Hear Coming From the Next Bathroom Stall
STALL OF DOODY DEPT.
Artist: Mark Fredrickson
New Report: Penn State Covered for Sandusky
CLASSIC MAD DEPT.
The Penn State Child abuse scandal was back in the news this morning thanks to the release of the Freeh Report. The report investigated the sexual abuse charges at Penn State and — you’re not gonna believe this — confirmed what everyone’s been saying for months now: that Joe Paterno and other Penn State officials repeatedly covered up Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of children. Sure, they could have done something to stop Sandusky’s monstrous actions — but that might have affected their season!
Artist: Scott Bricher
Spy vs. Spy Video Game Coming Soon
VIEW TO A SHILL DEPT.
The fine folks at Robots and Pencils are developing a new Spy vs. Spy game for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! Check out the trailer below and learn more at the official game site here!
Who's Watching "Hell's Kitchen"?
A ROOM WITH ABUSE DEPT.
British chef Gordon Ramsay's show, Hell's Kitchen, somehow remains a ratings hit. Just who’s watching this repetitive, profanity-laced reality show? To find out, we called the A.C. Nielsen ratings company. Until they get back to us (and it's been several weeks now), here's our best guess.
Celebrity Snaps: Chuck D. of Public Enemy
PICS OF THE LITTER DEPT.
Thanks to David Norris for the snap!
What is Mitt Romney Hiding in His Tax Returns?
MANY CRAPPY RETURNS DEPT.
There are lots of things politicians try to hide when running for office: ideological flip- flopping, past drug use, a proclivity for Miley Cyrus tunes. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Presidential candidate Willard “Mitt” Romney also recently tried to shield his precious tax returns, only allowing those from 2010 and 2011 to be seen by prying eyes. What’s there to hide, Mitt? Off-shore accounts? Dubious campaign contributions? A couple of drunken Walmart purchases? Just spill it already! Besides, whatever’s there, it can’t be any worse than the stuff we just uncovered!
Announcing "Totally MAD: 60 Years of Humor, Satire, Stupidity and Stupidity"
A VIEW TO A SHILL DEPT.
To buy Totally MAD, click here!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Time Home Entertainment Inc. and
MAD Magazine Announce
Totally MAD:
60 Years of Humor, Satire, Stupidity and Stupidity
Foreword by Stephen Colbert and Eric Drysdale
Includes “The Soul of MAD,”A Removable Set of 12 Classic MAD Cover Prints
On Sale October 30 at Retailers Nationwide
Totally MAD to Premiere at Comic-Con on July 14
New York, NY, July 10, 2012 – To celebrate MAD Magazine’s 60th anniversary, Time Home Entertainment Inc. is foolishly teaming up with MAD Magazine on Totally MAD, a new collection of the legendary humor magazine’s high-quality idiocy that is so widely un-anticipated, this overblown press release is needed to call attention to it.
Totally MAD (Time Home Entertainment Inc.; $34.95) goes on sale on October 30, 2012 and will be available at retailers nationwide. (The date when booksellers start slapping that giant “75% Off” sticker on the front cover obscuring the book’s title has not yet been determined.)
Organized by decade, this oversized 256-page book features some of the world’s best comedy writers, cartoonists and humorous illustrators – “The Usual Gang of Idiots” – as they have long called themselves. In addition, the book includes numbered pages for maximum reader convenience.
Totally MAD features a special foreword by long-time MAD fans Stephen Colbert and Eric Drysdale, plus five exclusive essays about MAD’s cultural impact, the origin of Alfred E. Neuman and the magazine’s history, including its landmark Supreme Court win against Irving Berlin, establishing the right to publish satirical lyrics.
As a bonus, the book features a removable set of 12 classic front covers, dubbed “The Soul of MAD” by MAD Founder and Publisher William M. Gaines. Each print was selected for its uniqueness, artistic achievement and classic timelessness, and is suitable for framing or wrapping fish.
Speaking from MAD’s international headquarters in midtown Manhattan, MAD Editor John Ficarra said, “I’m on the other line ordering Chinese food. I’ll call you back.” (Ficarra never returned the call.)
Totally MAD includes such favorites as:
- Spy vs. Spy
- Al Jaffee’s MAD Fold-in
- Sergio Aragonés’ A MAD Look At…
- David Berg’s The Lighter Side of…
- Outrageous artwork of Don Martin and Tom Bunk
- Movie and TV satires by Mort Drucker, Jack Davis and Tom Richmond
- The MAD Strip Club
- The Fundalini Pages
- And much more
Totally MAD is the perfect gift, not just for MAD fans, but for anyone interested in pop culture, comedy, music, politics, entertainment, sports or history. In other words, absolutely everyone should buy this book. No exceptions will be tolerated!
MAD at Comic-Con: Saturday, July 14
John Ficarra and “The Usual Gang of Idiots” will host a MAD panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Saturday, July 14 (Room 9, 2-3 PM). Panelists will include MAD art directors Sam Viviano and Ryan Flanders, MAD movie and TV satire artists Tom Richmond and Angelo Torres, “Spy vs. Spy” artist/writer Peter Kuper and the legendary MAD cartoonist Sergio Aragonés. Fans can find out what’s happening with America’s most famous humor magazine and get a preview of the never-before-seen pages of the upcoming book Totally MAD. There will also be an audience Q&A, with prizes for the best questions. Media is invited to attend.
Press Contact: Sabrina Strauss - (212) 576-2700 / sstrauss@goodmanmedia.com
Totally MAD
From Time Home Entertainment Inc. and MAD Magazine
Publication date: October 30, 2012
$34.95
Hardcover
About MAD Magazine:
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, MAD Magazine is America’s longest-running humor publication with that title. MAD has entertained, inspired and occasionally revolted generations of readers by satirizing politicians, celebrities, sports and pop culture. Whether in print, on television, the web or the iPad, MAD remains a cultural touchstone. MAD Magazine is part of DC Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, though they frequently deny it.