Issue Details

Issue	#1
Published	1958
Cover Price	0.50 USD
Pages	108
Editing	Albert B. Feldstein

Cover Details - "What, Me Worry?"

Characters	Alfred E. Neuman
Genre	humor
Pencils	Kelly Freas (painted, signed)
Inks	Kelly Freas (painted, signed)
Colors	Kelly Freas (painted, signed)
Letters	typeset

1 page Kings Man Close Shave Lotion story "I Don't Want To Be A King"

Characters	Edward, Duke of Wales
Synopsis	Phony ad for Kings Man liquors.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Kelly Freas (signed)
Inks	Kelly Freas (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Parody of ad for Kingsman after-shaving products. Inside front cover.
Reprinted	from Mad (EC, 1952 Series) #37

1 page Table of Contents foreword, introduction, preface, afterword "Departments"

Characters	Alfred E. Neuman; Bill Gaines
Pencils	Harvey Kurtzman (frame, signed); Bill Elder (frame, signed)
Inks	Harvey Kurtzman (frame, signed); Bill Elder (frame, signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	First use of the phrase "The Usual Gang of Idiots" to describe MAD contributing writers and artists.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #27 [frame only]

4 page Western Dept. story "Gunsmoked"

Characters	Madd Dillinger; Gambler Dan; Blacksmith Sam; Chestnut; Doc; Kiddie; Mayor Melvin
Synopsis	Quick recap of typical plots from the show.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Jack Davis (signed)
Inks	Jack Davis (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Parody of tv show "Gunsmoke."
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #30

2 page Newspaper Comics Dept.; Brunette; Little Orphan Melvin; Smilin' Melvin; Lil' Ab'r; Dick Tracing; Popcorn; Manduck The Magician story "A Collection of Daily Strips"

Characters	Brunette; Dogwood; Punjoke; Little Orphan Melvin; Daddy Peacebucks; Little Melvin Rooney; Smilin' Melvin; Upwind Johnson; Lil' Ab'r; Mammy Jokeum; Dick Tracing; Chief; Junior; Popcorn kids; Manduck The Magician; Loathar
Genre	satire
Pencils	Bill Elder (signed)
Inks	Bill Elder (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Single strip parodies of newspaper comics: Blondie; Little Orphan Annie; Smilin' Jack; Lil' Abner; Dick Tracy; Peanuts; Mandrake The Magician. Title from contents page.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #24 [retitled]

1 page Travelers Aid Dept. text article "The Railroad Timetable"

Synopsis	Parody of a passenger railroad timetable with lots of meaningless information.
Genre	satire
Script	Frank Jacobs
Letters	typeset
Notes	Writer credit from "Totally MAD" CD collection.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #33

4 page Science Dept. story "The Race Is On For The Super Guided Missile"

Characters	Gallup; Kerbang; Blitz; Pick; Back; Buck Roger; Waldo; Zork Argh; Dashkin; Propelnik; Schmidt; Beelzebub; Buck Rojinikoff; Plotkin; Watchova
Synopsis	Shows various parts of the space race between the US and USSR, with ultimate consequences of missile use.
Genre	humor
Script	Al Jaffee (signed)
Pencils	Al Jaffee (signed); Jack Davis; Wally Wood
Inks	Al Jaffee (signed); Jack Davis; Wally Wood
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #28

2 page Soft-Sell Advertising Dept. story "Future TV Ad"

Characters	Charlie; Bill
Synopsis	Phony ad storyboard for Schveppes Activated Sparkling Seltzer.
Genre	satire
Script	Don Martin (signed)
Pencils	Don Martin (signed)
Inks	Don Martin (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #28

4 page Orson Bean Dept. story Orson Bean's "The Two Chinese Fellas Who Go To An American Restaurant" Routine

Characters	Orson Bean
Synopsis	Illustrated comedy routine that reverses cliches about Chinese restaurants and people.
Genre	humor
Script	Orson Bean
Pencils	Wally Wood (signed)
Inks	Wally Wood (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

1 page Hollywood Dept. story "Scenes We'd Like To See: The Woodsman Who Failed To Save The Girl"

Synopsis	A woodsman tries to save a girl going over a waterfall in a canoe, but can't reach her and she goes over.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Inks	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #27

2 page Fair Warning Dept. story "Motorist Beware!"

Synopsis	Describes the escalating efforts of police to patrol highways unnoticed, including several of the latest unmarked vehicles.
Genre	humor
Script	H. Goldstein
Pencils	Bob Clarke (signed)
Inks	Bob Clarke (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Writer credit from "Totally MAD" CD collection.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #30

5 page Call of The Wild Magazines Dept. story "Field & Scream"

Characters	Lance Sturdley; Irv Blintz; Milton Forbisher; Lancelot Borscht-Bagel; Ozgood Z'Beard; Elmo Klunk; Walt Goober; Fenwick Furd
Synopsis	Excerpts from hunters' magazine, including some phony ads.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Jack Davis (signed)
Inks	Jack Davis (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Parody of "Field & Stream" magazine.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #31

1 page Advice Dept. story "Alfred E. Neuman Answers Your Questions"

Synopsis	Advice for a man who loves both his wife and taxidermy, but whose wife hates his taxidermy.
Genre	humor
Pencils	Don Martin (signed)
Inks	Don Martin (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #30

2 page Ernie Kovacs Dept. story "Kovacs' Strangely Believe It!"

Synopsis	Strange things around the world.
Genre	satire
Script	Ernie Kovacs
Pencils	Wally Wood (signed)
Inks	Wally Wood (signed)
Letters	Wally Wood (signed)
Notes	Parody of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!"
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #33

2 page Do It Yourself Dept. story "Make Your Own Love-Story Comic"

Synopsis	A bunch of figures, captions, and titles to cut out and arrange on some background scenes.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Jack Kamen
Inks	Jack Kamen
Letters	typeset
Notes	Jack Kamen is credited on the Contents page of the original issue with something, and this was the only article I could identify that did not have individual credits.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

1 page Hollywood Dept. story "Scenes We'd Like To See: Escaping The Cannibals"

Synopsis	A man and a woman are running to escape cannibals and she twists an ankle, whereupon the man runs away as the cannibals close in, instead of carrying her.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Inks	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

3 page Kindly Remain Seated Dept. story "Future Drive-Ins"

Synopsis	Ideas for foolish future drive-in facilities based on the success of drive-in banks, food, and movies.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Bob Clarke (signed)
Inks	Bob Clarke (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

4 page Henry Morgan Dept. story "The Truth About Cowboys"

Characters	Henry Morgan
Synopsis	Discussion of historically accurate cowboys.
Genre	humor
Script	Henry Morgan
Pencils	Wally Wood (signed)
Inks	Wally Wood (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #33

2 page Science Dept. story "New Designs In Television Sets"

Synopsis	Examples of types and uses of television remote controls.
Genre	humor
Pencils	Jack Davis
Inks	Jack Davis
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

2 page Nostalgia Dept. text article "MAD Establishes An...Old Comic-Strip Characters' Home"

Characters	Little Nemo; Flip; Felix the Clown; Chief Wahoo; The Squirrel Cage Hitchhiker; Barnaby; Mr. O'Malley; Flyin' Jenny; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Brute Gentry; Ace Drummond; Tailspin Tommy; Barney Baxter; Peter Piltdown; Charlie; Min-nie; Shadrach the Hermit; The Spirit; Ebony; Commissioner Dolan; Scorchy Smith; Desperate Desmond; Hairbreadth Harry; Dickie Dare; Sappo; Professor Whottaschnozzle; Bunky; Fagon; The Family Upstairs; Doc Yak; The Bear; Silly Millie; Benny; Buster Brown; Tige the Bulldog; Just Kids; Grandpop; Baby; Mr. Branner the Policeman; Dinglehoofer; Dinglehoofer's Dog; Count Screwloose; Crazy Dog; Skeets; Skippy; Sooky; The Pussycat Princess; Mr. Jack; Krazy Kat; Ignatz Mouse; Offisa Pupp; Little Jimmy; The Kewpies; Rocky Mason; Mr.; Mrs.; Charlie Chan; The Nebbs; Desper't Ambrose; Pop [S'Matter Pop]; Pop [That's My Pop]; Son [That's My Pop]; The Timid Soul; Mama; Cedric; Pa; Don Winslow; Sgt. Pat; Pinky; Irish; Jimmy Dugan; Raymond; Puddinhead; the Reg'lar Fellers; Pop; Jerry on the Job; Daisybelle; Miss Fury; Toots; Casper; Alphonse; Gaston; Betty; Lester De Pester; Foxy Grandpa; Happy Hooligan; Maud the Mule; Panhandle Pete; The Yellow Kid; Napoleon, Uncle Elby; Clarence; Jane Arden; Apple Mary [Mary Worth]; Popeye's Goons; Homer Hoopee; Harold Teen; Pop; Shadow; Ming The Merciless; Brad; Dad; Abie the Agent; Aunt Eppie Hogg; Mickey McGuire; Pop Wortle; Flytrap Finnegan; The Skipper; Suitcase Simpson; The Powerful Katrinka; The Dwarf; The Terrible-Tempered Mr. Bang; The Toonerville Folks; Jet Scott; Beyond Mars characters
Synopsis	Discusses the idea of a retirement home of no-longer published comic strip characters, with a pinup of characters and numbered key.
Genre	humor
Pencils	Wally Wood (signed)
Inks	Wally Wood (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Characters drawn in their original styles.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #30

5 page People Dept. story "The Steve Allan Story"

Characters	Steve Allan; Ray Geneburn; Ed Suvillan; Elvis Presley; Wes Yeast
Synopsis	Shows Steve at work and discusses how tv show is produced.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Bob Clarke (signed)
Inks	Bob Clarke (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Parody of tv's Steve Allen Show.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #32

1 page Advice Dept. story "Alfred E. Neuman Answers Your Questions"

Characters	Alfred E. Neuman
Synopsis	Advice for a man who loses everything and wants to hang himself.
Genre	humor
Pencils	Don Martin
Inks	Don Martin
Letters	typeset
Notes	Alfred E. Neuman does not physically resemble the MAD trademark character.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

3 page Bob & Ray Dept. story "Mr. Science"

Characters	Mr. Science; Jimmy; Bob Elliott; Ray Goulding
Synopsis	Mr. Science performs a simple experiment with a light bulb and nearly burns down the studio.
Genre	humor
Script	Bob Elliott; Ray Goulding
Pencils	Mort Drucker
Inks	Mort Drucker
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

1 page Hollywood Dept. story "Scenes We'd Like To See: The Fighter Who Didn't Rally"

Synopsis	The fighter rallies one last time after receiving some good news ringside, but is knocked out anyway.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Inks	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #27

4 page Shooting The Grand Rapids Dept. story "Modern Furniture"

Characters	Dave Berg
Synopsis	A review of the "advantages" of modern furniture.
Genre	humor
Script	Dave Berg ?
Pencils	Dave Berg (signed)
Inks	Dave Berg (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

2 page Hobby Dept. story "MAD Bubble Gum Cards"

Characters	Smedley van Sturdley; Milton Forbisher; Stanley Henkledorf; Walter N. Goober; Beauregard Bordon
Synopsis	Bubble gum cards in the Famous Cowards series.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Jack Davis
Inks	Jack Davis
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

4 page Sweatshirt Dept. story "What's Happened To Sports Magazines?"

Characters	Duke Snyder
Synopsis	Analysis of older style and modern sports magazines, with their differing viewpoints on the sports versus lifestyles of sports personalities.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Bob Clarke (signed)
Inks	Bob Clarke (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #32

1 page Show-Off Dept. text article "MAD Tickets"

Synopsis	Phony ticket stubs to historical events.
Genre	humor
Script	Frank Jacobs
Pencils	George Woodbridge (signed)
Inks	George Woodbridge (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Writer credit from "Totally MAD" CD collection.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #33

8 page Newspaper Cartoon Dept. story "Katchandhammer Kids!"

Characters	Hans Katchandhammer; Feetz Katchandhammer; Der Kapitan; Inspektor; boat company man; Mamma
Synopsis	A parody of the Katzenjammer Kids comic strip.
Genre	satire
Script	Harvey Kurtzman
Pencils	Will Elder (signed)
Inks	Will Elder (signed)
Notes	The script appears to be real German at the beginning, before changing into a pastiche of English, German and pseudo-German.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #20

4 page Jean Shepherd Dept. story The "Night People" vs. "Creeping Meatballism"

Genre	humor
Script	Jean Shepherd
Pencils	Wally Wood
Inks	Wally Wood
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #32

1 page Hollywood Dept. story "Scenes We'd Like To See: The Day of The Big Race"

Synopsis	After a jockey is fired for taking a bribe, the owner's granddaughter volunteers to ride in the big race. She loses.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Inks	Phil Interlandi (signed)
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

2 page Soft-Sell Advertising Dept. story "Future TV Ads"

Characters	George; Harriet
Synopsis	Phony ad storyboard for Ringwort's Rat Poison Pills.
Genre	satire
Script	Don Martin (signed)
Pencils	Don Martin (signed)
Inks	Don Martin (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #31

10 page Sports Dept. story "Wrestling"

Characters	Kid Kindyouth; Offensive Herman; Art Rottencore; Reggie Spoilsport; Tom Strongheart; Dick Stoutfellow; Yukon Klondike; Antonio Rockingchair; Gomez Addams (cameo); Morticia Addams (cameo); Pugsley Addams (cameo); Frankenstein's monster (cameo)
Synopsis	A humorous look at professional wrestling matches, using all the stereotypes in the sport.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Jack Davis (signed)
Inks	Jack Davis (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #24

3 page Unsung Heroes Dept. story "Free Fall Ferris"

Characters	Free Fall Ferris
Synopsis	Story about a mouse who becomes a U.S. astronaut.
Genre	humor
Script	Jerry DeFuccio
Pencils	Wallace Wood (signed)
Inks	Wallace Wood (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Writer credit from "Totally MAD" CD collection.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

1 page Collegiate Whimsey Dept. story "Pitchers And Poachers"

Synopsis	Gag cartoon from the U.C.L.A. Scop, a college publication.
Genre	humor
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #30 [1 page only]

3 page Tom Lehrer Dept. text article "Tom Lehrer Sings"

Characters	Tom Lehrer
Synopsis	A brief fake biography with an illustrated song, including sheet music.
Genre	humor
Script	Tom Lehrer; ?
Pencils	George Woodbridge (signed)
Inks	George Woodbridge (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #32

1 page Advice Dept. story "Alfred E. Neuman Answers Your Questions"

Synopsis	Advice for a man whose wife plays the tuba at night.
Genre	humor
Pencils	Don Martin
Inks	Don Martin
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #29

4 page Oh, Promise Me Dept. story "Wedding Album"

Characters	Wally Balloo
Synopsis	Typical wedding pictures contrasted with pictures of the same couple six months later.
Genre	humor
Pencils	Wally Wood [as Wally Balloo]
Inks	Wally Wood [as Wally Balloo]
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

2 page Ernie Kovacs Dept. story "Kovacs' Strangely Believe It!"

Synopsis	Strange things around the world.
Genre	humor
Script	Ernie Kovacs
Pencils	Wallace Wood (signed)
Inks	Wally Wood (signed)
Letters	Wally Wood (signed)
Notes	Parody of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!"
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #33

1 page Hollywood Dept. story "Scenes We'd Like To See: The Last Minute Pardon"

Synopsis	A pardon arrives at the prison just a little too late to save a man on death row.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Joe Orlando (signed)
Inks	Joe Orlando (signed)
Letters	typeset
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

1 page Volatilis Hair Remover story "Yul Brynner Used Volatilis...Then He Took A Shower"

Characters	Yul Brynner
Synopsis	Volatilis Formula V-17 helps you lose your hair painlessly.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Kelly Freas (signed)
Inks	Kelly Freas (signed)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Satire of Vitalis ad. Inside back cover.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #35

Marginal Thinking Dept. text article "Nobody Asked Us, But; Purloined Proverbs Ascribed to Popular People; Fictitious Want Ads Placed By Famous Folk; Jobs We'd Like To Have; Meaningless Musings While Munching Miltown"

Genre	humor
Script	Arnie Rosen; Coleman Jacoby; ?
Letters	typeset
Notes	Various items reprinted with other features, from the corresponding pages of the issues noted. Writer credits are for items from issue #30, which was copyright 1955 by Variety.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #30; MAD (EC, 1952 series) #31; MAD (EC, 1952 series) #32; MAD (EC, 1952 series) #33; MAD (EC, 1952 series) #34

1 page Winsten cigarettes story "Seems Like Somebody Always Butts In When You Talk About...Winsten"

Characters	Nick Megliola (postman); Jerry DeFuccio
Synopsis	Parody of Winston cigarette ad.
Genre	satire
Pencils	Larry Maleman (photo)
Inks	Larry Maleman (photo)
Colors	Larry Maleman (photo)
Letters	typeset
Notes	Models identified in Letters column of issue #38. Back cover.
Reprinted	from MAD (EC, 1952 series) #37