
A young Jack Davis. Image: Jack Davis Foundation
We’re sorry to report that legendary US cartoonist Jack Davis has died, aged 91 – one of the founders of MAD magazine and certainly one of the best-known and recognisable cartoonists in the world.
“Our hearts are broken,” a spokesperson for the Jack Davis Foundation commented. “He was a giant.”
A cartoonist from a very early age, his first published work appeared in Tip Top Comics in 1936 when he was 12. He moved to New York from Atlanta in 1949 and was hired by EC Comics to draw for Tales of the Crypt, Haunt of Fear and Two-Fisted Tales.
At EC, Davis met Harvey Kurtzman, who hired him to work on MAD magazine, which he worked on for two years before moving on to pursue his own projects – returning in the mid 1960s and remaining on the magazine for the rest of his career – and beyond.
(Kurtzman and Davis also worked together on “Little Annie Fanny” in Playboy).
One of the most sought-after illustrators and caricaturists in the US, his caricatures of public figures appeared on the covers of Time magazine and TV Guide, as well as advertising, record covers, movie posters (including It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Kelly’s Heroes and The Long Goodbye) and bubble gum cards.
“When it came time to assemble the Criterion release of Mad World, using Jack’s classic art was a no-brainer, ” recalled art director Eric Skillman, “and we were thrilled to find the man himself willing to revisit the film and provide new illustrations for the menus and packaging.
“Working with Jack was a particular honour and pleasure for me as art director — he is every bit the consummate professional his legend describes.”
Davis received the National Cartoonist Society’s Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, the NCA’s Reuben Award in 2000 and was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2003.
Despite a publicised “retirement” in 2014, he continued to work right up to his death.
Jack’s final cover for MAD, depicting Howard Stern being plunged into a toilet bowl by Alfred E. Neuman, is beloved by Stern and remains a MAD classic.

Jack Davis and Harvey Kurtzman’s follow up to their Lone Ranger parody from MAD #3, “The Lone Stranger Rides Again”, featured in MAD #8 in 1953
“There wasn’t anything Jack couldn’t do,” said MAD editor John Ficarra, in a statement. “Front covers, caricatures, sports scenes, monsters — his comedic range was just incredible. His ability to put energy and motion into his drawings, his use of cross-hatching and brush work, and his bold use of colour made him truly one of the greats.”
“More than any one piece, it was Jack’s immediately recognisable style that revolutionised comic illustration,” said MAD art director, Sam Viviano. “There is not a humorous illustrator in the past 50 years who hasn’t been influenced by him.”
“He was the American caricaturist and cartoonist of the Baby Boomer generation,” noted Beano artist Nigel Parkinson. “He made the USA seem like a great place to be.”
“His work was everywhere when I was a kid, agrees fellow Beano artist, Lew Stringer.”Comics, bubblegum cards, magazine covers, film posters. So prolific. R.I.P.”
“One of my favourite cartoonists and biggest influences (a childhood spent reading MAD),” commented Jonathan Edwards. “… he had a hell of a run and has left an incredible body of work. I return to his work again and again whenever I need inspiration. Nobody drew feet quite like Jack! Thanks for all the amazing work, sir.”
• Jack Davis born 2nd December 1924, died 27th July 2016
• Obituary: Hollywood Reporter
• Jack Davis Art on ComicArtFans
• A gallery of Jack Davis’ album covers
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries
Just a correction. That “Thing From Another World” is Greg Smallwood. And it’s a fake EC comic. Nice tribute tough.
Met Mr. Davis. A real gentleman.
Well, just d’oh… Thanks for the heads up on my late night schoolboy error, JD. I’ve taken out said cover and used it in this plug for Greg’s work. So, actually, all comes good in the end! Thanks so much for letting me know.