Time to start worrying, Alfred E. Neuman.
Mad magazine, the iconic satirical publication known for gap-toothed, freckle-faced mascot Neuman and his “What, me worry?” mantra, will no longer appear on newsstands after nearly seven decades, its publisher has announced.
And the mag —which subverted the typical magazine fold-out by featuring a fold-in comic on each issue’s back page — will all but fold for home subscribers as well. Publisher DC is halting the production of new content except for an annual year-end issue.
“After issue #10 this fall there will no longer be new content — except for the end-of-year specials, which will always be all new,” DC said in a statement. “So starting with issue #11 the magazine will feature classic, best-of and nostalgic content from the last 67 years.”
Mad’s deathknell was mourned on social media, with former guest editor “Weird Al” Yankovic offering a touching paean.
“I am profoundly sad to hear that after 67 years, MAD Magazine is ceasing publication. I can’t begin to describe the impact it had on me as a young kid – it’s pretty much the reason I turned out weird,” the parody songster tweeted Wednesday night as rumors swirled that the magazine was shutting down completely.
The politics- and pop culture-skewering publication debuted as a comic book in October 1952 before becoming a full-on magazine three years later.
Mad underwent several major changes in recent years, including a move from its Manhattan offices to the West Coast.
But the gag machine struggled to adapt to the digital age as it published original content online and launched a channel on the streaming platform Twitch.
Starting last week, DC quietly slashed its staff, laying off senior Mad editor Dan Telfer and a host of contributing illustrators.
“For what it’s worth I have many new Spy strips recently completed and I’m still working away,” tweeted Peter Kuper, the writer and illustrator of one of Mad’s most beloved recurring comic strips, “Spy vs. Spy.”