Mad Magazine's Al Jaffee Dies at 102.

[JimInks]

Al Jaffee spent the the 1940s and early 1950s as a writer, artists and editor for Timely Comics, later known as Marvel. A Mad magazine contributor since the 1950s, he started creating the back cover fold-ins in 1964 and continued to do them until the age of 99. Al's work appeared in 500 of the magazine's first 550 issues, a total unmatched by any other writer or artist. He did many other projects during his career that are too numerous to mention here. I interviewed him in Alter Ego #35, and got him to draw a satire cover of the Timely characters of the 1940s. He was a great man and a great friend, and he will always be missed by those who knew him. RIP, Al.

 

[Balisong]

Sorry for your loss Jim. From what you wrote he had a long wonderful life.

 

[Timbo]

Sad news indeed, many a person alive grew up on his tongue in cheek art myself included.

 

[lgoldberg]

Hats off.

 

[Zeno Marx]

I grew up with this guy's work and MAD. I didn't have too many books, but I had a couple of his. I suspect time will forget. Their loss.

 

[Padraig D]

I loved the fold-ins he did when I was a kid. Loved MAD. Sorry for the loss of your friend, Jim

 

[Charley Scanlan]

On a related note, did anyone ever notice that  all the declarative sentences in Mad end in exclamation marks? I remember seeing that as a kid and thinking, what's going on here. They are mad.

 

[JimInks]

On a related note, did anyone ever notice that  all the declarative sentences in Mad end in exclamation marks? I remember seeing that as a kid and thinking, what's going on here. They are mad.

That was often the case with old comics. Apparently, publishers were afraid a period would not show up in printing, and this was insurance that it would. I know that's silly, but it was standard practice at times.

 

[Book]

Thank you for sharing your memories, JimInks. Al is absolutely worth a memorial.

Padraig, I'm with you. I remember a few really good parodies in Mad, but I think I loved the fold-ins best when I was young.

Also, Jim, that is an impressive knowledge of 20th century printing practices. (I am not joking: much respect intended.)

 

[MisterE]

Aw, I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I remember his stuff from Mad Magazine years ago.

 

[Aussiemike]

Sorry to hear Jim, I loved it growing up , he was so riskea and a little raunchy for the time. Such a loss for the comic and parity,lampoon stories we will now miss

 

[gbann57]

the world is a slightly darker place for his loss.