Issue Details

Issue	#21
Published	March 1955
Cover Price	0.10 USD
Pages	36
Editing	Harvey Kurtzman
Notes	Cover is a satire of Johnson Smith & Co. novelty catalog ads. Includes first image of "Alfred" on a MAD cover.

Cover Details - "Smithson John & Co."

Characters	Alfred [Alfred E. Neuman]
Genre	satire
Letters	typeset
Notes	Cover is a satire of Johnson Smith & Co. novelty catalog ads. Includes first image of "Alfred" on a MAD cover.

1 page MAD Mumblings letters page "MAD Mumblings"

Letters	typeset
Notes	Includes announcement for the first pocket book MAD collection from Ballantine Books (no title given).

8 page Newspaper Comics Dept. story "Poopeye!"

Characters	Poopeye; Mazola Oil; Swee'back [Mad-Man]; Mammy Jokeum; Mammy's son; Melvin of the Apes; Superduperman [Clark Bent]; Windy
Synopsis	Poopeye beats up other comic strongmen hired by the broccoli king to get rid of Poopeye.
Genre	satire
Script	Harvey Kurtzman ?
Pencils	Bill Elder [as B. Elder]
Inks	Bill Elder [as B. Elder]
Colors	Marie Severin
Notes	Parody of Popeye comic strip.
Reprinted	in Mad Strikes Back (Ballantine Books, 1955 series) #106

6 page Science Dept. story "Slow Motion!"

Synopsis	A look at what might be happening in various sports if they were recorded by a slow motion camera.
Genre	humor
Script	Harvey Kurtzman ?
Pencils	Jack Davis (signed)
Inks	Jack Davis (signed)
Colors	Marie Severin
Reprinted	in Bedside Mad, The (Signet Books, 1959 series) #P3520; Bedside Mad, The (Signet Books, 1959 series) #D2316; Bedside Mad, The (Signet Books, 1959 series) #S1647; Inside Mad (Ballantine Books, 1955 series) #124

5 page Cut Your Own Throat Dept. story "Comic Book Ads!"

Synopsis	Parody ads for "How To Hypnotize", "Get Prizes...Make Money", "Rubber Bubble Gum", "Tromp Stamps Co.", "Ded Ryder Cowboy Carbine", and "Alwett Physical Training Course."
Genre	satire
Script	Harvey Kurtzman ?
Pencils	Bill Elder (signed)
Inks	Bill Elder (signed)
Colors	Marie Severin
Reprinted	in Inside Mad (Ballantine Books, 1955 series) #124 [Rubber Bubble Gum only]

3 page Impact; Extra!; Valor; Aces High; Psychoanalysis promo (ad from the publisher) "untitled"

Colors	Marie Severin
Notes	House ads for 5 new E. C. comics, ½ page each plus subscription form.

6 page Movie Dept. story "Under The Waterfront!"

Characters	Terry; Joey; John Friendly; Charlie; Edie
Synopsis	Everyone Terry knows is killed by John Friendly's thugs.
Genre	satire
Script	Harvey Kurtzman ?
Pencils	Wallace Wood (signed)
Inks	Wallace Wood (signed)
Colors	Marie Severin
Notes	Parody of the movie "On The Waterfront."

1 page text article "Waning Days of December"

Letters	typeset
Notes	A Christmas and New Year message from the editors and staff.

1 page Lighting Ju-Jitsu advertisement "You Too - Can Be Tough"

Letters	typeset
Notes	Ad for B-J Co's ju-jitsu training.

1 page National Schools advertisement "Television-Radio-Electronics"

Letters	typeset
Notes	Ad for electronics training from National Schools.

1 page Johnson Smith & Company advertisement "New Catalog of 3100 Novelties"

Letters	typeset
Notes	Ad for novelty catalog.

1 page Powerhouse Binoculars advertisement "9X Area Magnification!"

Pencils	?; ? (photo)
Inks	?; ? (photo)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Ad for Powerhouse binoculars from Thoresen's. Inside back cover.

1 page The FUNMan advertisement "Men-Women-Boys-Girls Prizes Given"

Letters	typeset
Notes	Ad for FUNman religious wall motto sales.