The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts is exploring the art and satire of MAD magazine in the exhibit, What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine.
Over 150 pieces of original art are displayed, including paintings, drawings, cartoons, ephemera, artifacts, and other media, and one gallery is focused solely on the work of Mort Drucker, who spent more than five decades drawing caricatures and illustrations for MAD.
![Richard Williams Alfred E. Neuman and Norman Rockwell, 2002 Cover illustration for Mad Art: A Visual Celebration of MAD Magazine and the Idiots Who Create It (Watson Guptill, 2002) Oil on canvas James Halperin Collection, Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com MAD and all related elements ™ & © E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC](https://downthetubes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MAD-Triple-Self-Portrait-Parody-Richard-Williams.jpg)
![Bill Elder (as “Eldder” in tribute to Charles Addams) (1921-2008)
It’s so funny the way Poppa’s eyes bug out because he doesn’t have the Sanofranized label, 1955
Illustration for MAD #26 (EC, 1955)
Ink and ink wash on paper
James Halperin Collection, Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
MAD and all related elements ™ & © E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC](https://downthetubes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bill-Elder-Adams-Family-MAD-Magazine.jpg)
Artists whose work will be showcased includes Drucker, Sergio Aragonés, David Berg, Paul Coker, Jack Davis, Dick DeBartolo, Will Elder, John Ficarra, Kelly Freas, Al Jaffee, Harvey Kurtzman, Don Martin, Nick Meglin, Norman Mingo, Antonio Prohías, Marie Severin, John Severin, Angelo Torres, Sam Viviano, Richard Williams, and Wally Wood. The art of next generation visual humorists, including Emily Flake, Drew Friedman, Peter Kuper, Teresa Burns Parkhurst, C.F. Payne, Tom Richmond, and Dale Stephanos is also displayed.
![Jack Davis (1924-2016)
Beware of Imitations, 1954
Illustration for MAD #11, (EC, 1954)
Pen and ink
James Halperin Collection, Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
MAD and all related elements ™ & © E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC](https://downthetubes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MAD-illustration-by-Jack-Davis11-693x1024.jpg)
![Kelly Freas (1922-2005)
Alfred E. Neuman as Scarecrow, 1958
Cover illustration for MAD #43 (EC, 1958)
Acrylic on board
James Halperin Collection, Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
MAD and all related elements ™ & © E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC](https://downthetubes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MAD-Cover-Illustration-by-Kelly-Freas-43-800x1076-1-761x1024.jpeg)
“This exhibition explores the unforgettable art and satire of MAD, from its beginnings in 1952 as a popular humour comic book to its emergence as a beloved magazine that spoke truth to power and attracted generations of devoted readers through the decades,” the museum outlines.
“MAD’s influence and cultural impact will be explored in this landmark installation, which features iconic original illustrations and cartoons created by the magazine’s Usual Gang of Idiots – the many artists and writers who have been the publication’s mainstays for decades.”
The exhibition is co-curated by Steve Brodner and Stephanie Haboush Plunkett, with Sam Viviano as lead advisor and is being offered to other galleries for exhibition. (For more information contact travelingexhibitions@nrm.org).
• What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine runs until 27th October 2024 at The Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road Route 183 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Tickets available now | Web: nrm.org
MAD and all related elements ™ & © E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC
![](https://downthetubes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/John-Freeman-150x150.jpg)
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.
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