Mad hits Issue #600, and we go back to the salad days… Mad magazine — or MAD Magazine, if you prefer — hits Issue #600 on Wednesday, and despite the publication’s checkered history in recent years, it’s a pretty cool landmark. (See, what DC did is what comics companies do all the time now: They combined the number of issues of the original run with its later run, and voila.) Like any red-blooded American kid who grew up in a certain era, MAD — long published by the late, lamented EC — wasn’t just a magazine, it was a part of popular culture, and there are certain covers that burned themselves into my consciousness. So, to celebrate the heyday of the hilarious and influential magazine (first released in July 1952), I’ve selected THE 13 GROOVIEST MAD COVERS OF THE SILVER AND BRONZE AGES. (Yes, I know Mad predates the Silver Age, but work with me here.) I also want to give a shout-out to two 13th Dimensioneers with whom I’m very proud to work every week: One is Bill Morrison, who writes MORRISON MONDAYS and was the executive editor of the refreshed 2018 MAD before it was rather unceremoniously and painfully transformed into a largely reprint mag by DC. Bill is a monstrously, multi-talented illustrator and storyteller, and he and his particular Gang of Idiots deserved better. The other is the wonderful Kerry Callen, who produces SUNDAY FUNNIES WITH KERRY CALLEN, and was one of those very Idiots. Kerry still contributes to MAD — the publication currently mixes new and vintage material — and has a feature in Issue #600. Click on over here to check out an EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK. Thanks, fellas! You’re as good as mold! Now, on to THE 13 GROOVIEST MAD COVERS OF THE SILVER AND BRONZE AGES. I’m not ranking them, and I’m not saying they’re the greatest ever. They’re just the ones that resonate the most with me — hence, “grooviest.” In chronological order: — 1. Mad #1, Harvey Kurtzman. Where it all started. — 2. Mad #23, Kurtzman concept. In a way, Mad’s most subversive cover of them all. — 3. Mad #60, Bob Clarke. The famous flip cover. Kennedy was the one on the “back,” actually. — 4. Mad #105, Norman Mingo. Because of course. — 5. Mad #111, Mingo. I...
BRONZE AGE BONANZA: A big month for the King! PLUS: Byrne! Kane! Kubert! MORE! — Welcome to BRONZE AGE BONANZA — our monthly series that looks at the greatest covers of the Bronze Age — exactly 50 years later. For more info on this feature, click here. — Jack Kirby takes everyone to school with three this month, plus standouts by Howard Chaykin, John Byrne, Gil Kane and more. Dig the TOP 13 COVERS OF JUNE 1976 — RANKED: — 13. Daredevil #137, Marvel. This month’s requisite Jawsmania cover. Good lord, what a stretch. — 12. Everything’s Archie #50, Archie. Finally, an objectifying swimsuit cover featuring the guys! — 11. Beetle Bailey #118, Charlton. That time Beetle taught Sarge all about huffing. — 10. Secret Romance #40, Charlton. There is no question in my mind that Art Cappello and the tricksters at Charlton shaded the dude’s left leg to make it look like his pecker was standing at attention. I cannot be persuaded otherwise. — 9. The Joker #9, DC. Ah, the end of the line for this misbegotten-yet-really fun series. Nice, solid cover with two of Batman’s biggest baddies, but this is more a sentimental pick than anything. I could just have easily selected this or this. — 8. Blitzkrieg #5, DC. The end of the line for another misbegotten series. I know the point was to show how cruel the Nazis were and how their victims suffered, but your typical mainstream reader just wasn’t going to go in for a comic about sadism. Nevertheless, Joe Kubert’s covers were outstanding (of course). The Comics Code didn’t have a problem with this, though, huh? — 7. The Invaders #8, Marvel. Union Jack was introduced the issue before — he was created by writer Roy Thomas and interiors artist Frank Robbins — but this is his first cover appearance and it’s bold Kirby all the way. I’ve always dug this costume, too. — 6. The Tomb of Dracula #48, Marvel. Gene Colan and Tom Palmer were doing their best covers at this point in the classic series. This image is your basic vampire trope but these two pros still managed to make it next level. — 5. Captain America #201, Marvel. Kirby goes from poster-style with The Invaders #8 to moody and surrealistic with Cap #201. The Falcon looks especially great here, with his...
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