Brad Bird, Weird Al, John Carpenter, Mark Hamill & Others React To End Of Original ‘Mad’ Content
Artists and writers working for Mad Magazine were informed on Wednesday that the publication would no longer produce original content. The news has sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media from artists and writers, among them many animators, who were inspired by the American humor magazine.
“Getting the e-mail today was crushing,” cartoonist and writer Evan Dorkin wrote on Twitter. “Seeing MAD close down hurts, especially during a morbidly depressing year for cartoonists and the comics industry in general. And my heart goes out to the Usual Gang freelancers.”
Following its August issue, the iconic humor publication will also no longer be available for sale on newsstands. New issues comprised of reprint material will be mailed to existing subscribers and available via direct market sales (i.e. comic shops). While the end of Mad is not imminent, it’s unclear how the magazine will survive without the type of new content that it has produced continuously throughout its nearly 70-year history. Mad, started by publisher William Gaines and editor Harvey Kurtzman in 1952, is owned by AT&T-Time Warner, through its DC Comics subsidiary.
Like many print publications, the magazine has been in decline for some time. Its circulation hit a low of 123,000 copies per issue in 2015, down from over 2 million monthly copies in the mid-1970s. The magazine’s editorial operations shifted from Manhattan to Burbank, California, last year, a move that had been resisted by the staff for a few years before it happened.
The magazine also inspired the Warner Bros. Animation cartoon sketch comedy Mad, which ran for 103 episodes on Cartoon Network between 2010 and 2013.
For further reading, here’s an analysis of the current situation by Mark Evanier and here’s a Smithsonian.com piece from last year about Mad’s cultural legacy. To read old issues of the magazine, go to this website.
Here’s a look at what people have been saying about the demise of original Mad content:
So sad that MAD magazine is shutting down. It was the gateway to subversive humor as a kid, copies bounced around the house between my sisters and me, was always packed to go on summer vacations. I tipped my hat to MAD by having Hogarth show it to the Giant in IRON GIANT.
Salute! pic.twitter.com/x95DoX82DC— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) July 4, 2019
6.4 earthquake hits Southern California. God punishes us for the cancellation of Mad magazine.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) July 4, 2019
Very sad to hear that MAD is closing down. @BradBirdA113 post alerted me. Thanks to the usual gang of idiots for 67 years. Was lucky enough to appear in MAD via Simpsons. Shown: my #1 mag issue copy, & the Simpsons (#299) – look for Brad (center) & others. pic.twitter.com/u5DSn31980
— David Silverman (@tubatron) July 4, 2019
I was an intern at MAD Magazine in 1994. I had no apt in NY so I kept my belongings in the archives & took a daypack & crashed on couches for 3 months.
In the writers room they had a drum kit to do rim shots on bad jokes. Great memories. I’ll miss it https://t.co/xGjrTeefXI— Chris Miller (@chrizmillr) July 4, 2019
Don Martin was my North Star
— philip lord (@philiplord) July 4, 2019
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 pic.twitter.com/01Ya4htdSR
— Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) July 4, 2019
Appearing in MAD Magazine remains the greatest honor of my career, and that's no joke. RIP MAD and thanks for everything.
(L to r)James L Brooks, Sam Simon, Matt Groening, Mike Reiss, Jon Vitti pic.twitter.com/uWvklm8qwD— Mike Reiss (@MikeReissWriter) July 4, 2019
MAD magazine ends after 67 years? It was my childhood art training-Aragones, Drucker, Davis, Martin and Jaffee my teachers. #RIPMadMagazine
— Tony Bancroft (@pumbaaguy1) July 4, 2019
My 4th of July rant:
My sense of humor and interest in drawing all came from reading MAD.
As a constant subscriber, no new material in @MADmagazine SUCKS. The new issues have been great and this country needs MAD more than ever. pic.twitter.com/LR9jAsm3UG— Josh Cooley (@CooleyUrFaceOff) July 4, 2019
Seeing a Mexican like Sergio Aragones have cartoons in MAD is one of the reasons I became an artist. Gracias forever to all the great artists who inspired my generation. We owe you guys in countless ways. VIVA MAD FOREVER!!! #MADMagazine https://t.co/2GtPzVmbiT
— Jorge R. Gutierrez (@mexopolis) July 4, 2019
Goodbye, Mad Magazine. Thanks for inspiring generations & generations of comedy & most of all, thanks for the laughs. There was a moment in so many of our childhoods where you were the greatest thing ever.#thanksMAD pic.twitter.com/ZJS8HxxqtF
— Josh Weinstein (@Joshstrangehill) July 4, 2019
R.I.P. Mad magazine, you formed my early sense of humor, influenced my art style tremendously, and published TWO of my letters. pic.twitter.com/csCxNOZCXC
— Dan Povenmire (@DanPovenmire) July 4, 2019
Hard to imagine a world without @MADmagazine– My older brother's collection helped me learn to read. It taught a generation how to question & mock the status-quo. An honor & a career highlight to be ridiculed mercilessly by that "usual gang of idiots" ❤️You Madly, Lube Skystalker pic.twitter.com/GvKpQszL7A
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) July 4, 2019
I found an image of the first #MADMagazine I ever read. I'm really bummed to hear that it's ending. The Usual Gang of Idiots shaped a lot of my humor at a young age, and I fondly remember hiding them from my parents. I hope it can be resurrected in some form! #RIPMadMagazine pic.twitter.com/Pu35CPvBQe
— ianjq (@ianjq) July 4, 2019