MAD Magazine To Mostly Cease As A Print Publication After 67 Years

MAD Magazine, the iconic satire publication, will mostly cease printing new issues after its next one, confirms The Hollywood Reporter. It won’t entirely die, though: Future editions will repackage old material, but with new covers, putting an end to issues with entirely new content. Only end-of-the-year specials, which will presumably look back at the nonsense of the previous 12 months, will include new material.

For 67 years, MAD has been sold everywhere, from gas stations to supermarkets. That, too, will end: Sources told THR that, after August’s issue, future editions will only be sold in comic book stores. The publication will, however, continue to print specials, as they always have, as well as books, ensuring the brand — and its mascot, gap-toothed Alfred E. Neuman — lives on.

The semi-death of MAD, founded in 1952, is the latest casualty in the decay of print media. The magazine was known, for one thing, for its covers, with Neuman assuming the roles of whatever needed mocking most — be it celebrities or politicians, with Donald J. Trump a frequent figure of its derision in its final days — as well as a back page that featured an elaborate fold-up joke. The latter turned each issue into a collectable one could never threw out.

Rumors of MAD’s quasi-demise hit social media Wednesday night, and confirmed by major outlets by Thursday morning, leading to widespread despair.

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

…and the world just became a little more boring. RIP Mad Magazine pic.twitter.com/OEWDrjKPVI

— 🕉🇺🇦🟦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) 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

— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) July 4, 2019

Probably my single favorite part of MAD Magazine was the words Don Martin would come up with for sound effects. A full list of them here: https://t.co/TIZ5d05aWw
In Chicago my friend @yourpaldoug and I adopted two kittens and named them Fweep and Sproing. – RS pic.twitter.com/Maobg3Lahd

— Triumph® ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴsᴜʟᴛ ᴄᴏᴍɪᴄ ᴅᴏɢ™ Headquarters💩 (@TriumphICDHQ) July 4, 2019

The first satirical pop culture event of the 50’s. Set the stage for so much that followed. https://t.co/kJPksMNdrL

— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) July 4, 2019

Anything that makes @alyankovic sad should be illegal. And specifically: canceling @MADmagazine is dumb. https://t.co/TJMJ7Dgukh

— John Hodgman (@hodgman) July 4, 2019

I spent every lunch break in the sixth grade in the library, reading and rereading every copy of MAD Magazine they had. It was my introduction to absurdity, to satire, and to cultural references I never would have gotten otherwise. So sad. https://t.co/tlbX6d4PZz

— Hend Amry (@LibyaLiberty) July 4, 2019

Some used the occasion to remind people that great things will go away if you don’t support them with your money.

If the rumors are true and MAD Magazine is shutting down, it's a shame and also an important reminder-

Support satire
Support art
Support artists

otherwise they fade away.#MADMagazine pic.twitter.com/TEW9gzvh9N

— Jim Zub 🎲 (@JimZub) July 4, 2019

Others singled out the magazine’s justly beloved — and often weirdly insightful — movie parodies.