Industrial-Strength Sergio

sergiomadposter

There's a new book out called Inside MAD that features much of the wonderfulness from past issues of America's leading humor publication. At least, it's Number One if you don't count the Congressional Record, which some of us do. You can order a copy of Inside MAD here.

Inside Inside MAD are many treasures but pay attention to one in particular. They commissioned my B.F.F. Sergio Aragonés to draw a fold-out poster of MAD history…and he did, including darn near every major contributor to the magazine for its 61 years of existence, along with dozens upon dozens of references to memorable articles and moments in the life of the magazine. I have seen everything Sergio has drawn in the 45 years I've known him and nothing has impressed me more. Matter of fact, it's a lot better than it will appear in the book if you buy the book.

I held the immense original in my hands and studied it for a half-hour or so. They were able to publish it only because I was conscientious enough to drool on myself instead of it. The folks at MAD would be brain-dead stupid and guilty of the kind of incompetence that their magazine attacks if they didn't bring out a full-size (the same size Sergio drew it) poster-print of this artwork. They can do it with or without the superb and Herculean coloring job that Tom Luth did on the poster…but either way, it should be published and sold in its full dimensions.

I know a lot of MAD guys read this blog so let's get to it, fellows! You know how you often refer to yourselves as "The Usual Gang of Idiots"? Well, put this out as a full-size print or that will no longer be said of you with any sarcasm whatsoever. We will mean it.

The rest of you: Want a peek at it? Entertainment Weekly has it up…and they even have a handy-dandy magnifying glass for you to examine it in greater detail. It's especially good when viewed on an iPhone or Android screen. And don't rush through it, for God's sake. This thing took Sergio over twenty friggin' minutes!