The Mad Archives, Vol. 1 (Issues 1-6) (DC Archive Editions.) [Hardcover]

The Usual Gang of Idiots (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Before Mad was the black-and-white magazine that has been on the newsstands seemingly forever, it was a 10-cent color comic book, primarily the handiwork of cartoonist-humorist Harvey Kurtzman, who wrote and designed every page during the publication's first four years. The first few issues featured broad send-ups of mass-entertainment genres (westerns, horror flicks, etc.), but gradually the contents shifted to burlesques of particular movies, comics, and--the year was 1952--radio shows, entitled "Superduperman," "Melvin of the Apes," "Dragged Net," and so forth. Kurtzman's mastery of the comics medium was a major element in the stories' effectiveness, and his humor was fresher and brasher than anything else in any medium; it became a major influence on successive generations of humorists, including the 1960s underground cartoonists and the writers of Saturday Night Live. After Kurtzman's departure, Mad was . . . different. The Mad Archives, the first of four volumes collecting the entire comic-book run of Mad, is a valuable reminder of just how gloriously mad it was. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mad (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563898160
• ISBN-13: 978-1563898167
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.9 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is like a dream come true!!, November 5, 2002

By 

Ricardo Von Watts "RVW" (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mad Archives, Vol. 1 (Issues 1-6) (DC Archive Editions.) (Hardcover)

I am now working in printing and desktop publishing because of MAD. When I was 9 years old my Grandmother gave me about ten of my Uncle's old MADs from the early days. I was drawn into the crazy world of those amazing drawings and the funny dialog. Every day after school I would copy the drawings from MAD, which is what led me into graphic arts. Over the years I have been collecting old MADs, which my 13 year old likes to read from time to time.

I understand what it takes to produce any type of publication, and I have often wondered where the original artwork or the negatives from the first MADs ended up. Unless I am totally wrong, I think this book was printed from the original art or the original film. I am very impressed with the care with which this book was produced. The detail and color is first rate, and the printing is excellent.

I now own a perfect copy of the first six MADs produced. For someone who is interested in art and printing and comic book history, this is a must. Very cool!! I look forward to the next set.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HUMOR THAT STILL HOLDS UP TO THIS DAY, January 26, 2006

By 

DAB II (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mad Archives, Vol. 1 (Issues 1-6) (DC Archive Editions.) (Hardcover)

I remember when I was young how much MAD Magazine used to make me laugh. The satire was wonderfully organized in a way that both kids and adults could enjoy it. Much like the Warner Brothers cartoon shorts did when they shown to audiences at the theater.
In the 70's and 80's MAD magazine would do special issues that contained mini color comics of the original color comic book when they started with EC Comics. I found that these comics were just as funny and sometimes even stranger than some of the current artists from MAD at that time. Much to my delight
DC comics took the original six issues and placed them in a fantastic large hardcover book.
This is one of the most beautiful reprinting works I have seen. The colors and the paper quality of this book is designed to last a lifetime. If you truly enjoy classic comic books, classic MAD Magazine or an adult who adores film parodies, then you must own this book.
This is just not a comic book , but a piece of history and how parody became a part of the mainstream. Remember that back in 1952 when these were first published, the idea of reading comic books was for children or the working class. This was not considered good adult reading material by literary standards yet.
But yet these teams of adult writers and artists took the first steps in changing the concepsts of literary humor that we now live with today.
At only 10 cents an issue, people who had a taste for off beat humor,horror stories, or science fiction picked up EC comics. This was a perfect outlet for teens as well of the 50's who loved movies of a simular nature. The comic writers refect that same love of TV and film through their parodies of Superman,Tarzan, and the Lone Ranger.
DC just now needs to release the other issues past #6. I was lucky to read so many of those mini re-prints and some of those stories still make me laugh when I think about them today. These orignal six issues don't even cover how funny MAD eventually grew up to be as a comic. But you can kind of tell since this little comic survived and one day became a beloved magazine.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best stuff ever, September 7, 2005

By 

that "wierdguy" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mad Archives, Vol. 1 (Issues 1-6) (DC Archive Editions.) (Hardcover)

If you have ever been a fan of mad magazine any point in your life you need to see where it all began. From the page of The Mad archives vol. 1 you will see the first six issues of mad EVER. Social comentary, gross humor, at best a critical eye at the golden age of EC comics and comics everywhere (the thinly veiled superman parody is worth the price of the book alone) Despite appeal to comic fans (wally wood, and some of the best golen age comic artist to grace one single archive), every one who understands the phrase "What me worry?" READ THIS. you wont be disapointed. Only question WHEN WILL VOL 2 BE OUT????????