MAD [magazine]

MAD  [Magazine]

Publication: E.C. Publications, Inc.
monthly publication
ASIN: B0045VPFE6

Plot Summary:
Founded in 1952 by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines, this humorous magazine typically has a color picture featuring MAD’s mascot Alfred E. Neuman on the cover. MAD magazine is an illustrated satirical humor magazine that makes fun of public figures, entertainment, capitalism, and modern life.
Critical Evaluation:
This magazine is rife with controversy, but I think that it is done well and appeals to young minds that do feel similarly about trends in society and see fault in the world around them. The magazine leads with the idea for people to think for themselves. I like how real this publication is in the fact that they have been sued, banned, and criticized, but they continue to do what they think is right. The magazine is colorful, contains comic reels, articles, and satirical pictures that speak out to the interested audience.

Reader's Annotation:
A satirical magazine that started as a comic book and evolved into a publication about politics, celebrities, entertainment and culture- and what is wrong with it all.

Websites to Look Into:
http://www.madmagazine.com

Similar Materials:
Spy vs. Spy

Booktalking Ideas:
Showing popular news articles and entertainment outlets and what the magazine shows about them
Even displaying the covers and the artwork would serve well to engage readers

Genre:
Humor

Interest Age:
16+

Challenge Issues:
Vulgarity & Toilet Humor
The magazine definitely has some poor humor and can be vulgar. I feel that the young adults have the right to chose to read it and I have seen this magazine in a number of collections at libraries for young adults. It is humorous and can make fun of our sometimes over saturated entertainment culture.

Why this Magazine?
I have seen this magazine at many libraries and I do think that it is funny. I think that it is a good addition to the other young adult magazines that I have chosen because it is so different.