MAD Magazine

Bibliographic Information: Ficarra, J. [Editor]. (2013). MAD. DC Comics. URL: http://www.madmagazine.com/

Plot Summary: Mad Magazine is a humor magazine containing cultural and political satire.  Anything in American culture is fair game for mockery.  Such targets have included Honey Boo Boo, James Bond, pirates, Batman, and the iPhone.  They never pass on an opportunity to spoof popular movies like The Hunger Games, and Twilight. The magazine hosts the comic “Spy vs. Spy,” a wordless comic strip about two identical spies out to get each other.  Other regular features include Fold-ins, “The Lighter Side of...,” Don Martin gags, “A Mad Look at,” “Drawn-out dramas,” and Monroe.  

Critical Evaluation: The satire found in Mad Magazine makes it an entertaining read for those who aren’t easily offended.  MAD gives readers an opportunity to look at pop-culture, politics, and entertainment from a ridiculous perspective.  Satire is most effective when an audience understands the allusions being made, so readers must be up to date on their pop-culture and news.  

Reader’s Annotation: Is Twilight  driving you MAD?  Take a peek inside for giggle and laughs!

Information about the publisher: DC Entertainment houses DC Comics, Vertigo, and MAD.  They work with many Warner Bros. divisions to broadcast their content to a wide audience.  MAD Magazine was first published in 1952 as a comic book, and in 1955 converted into a magazine (DC Entertainment, n.d.).  

    As a bi-monthly magazine, MAD has published 521 issues.  Summaries of issues dating back to 2004 can be accessed online at http://www.madmagazine.com/issues.  

Genre: Satire, Comedy

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1. Preview of issue.

Reading level/Interest age: 14+

Challenge Issues: This magazine may contain material inappropriate for young readers.  

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I included this magazine: I chose to include MAD to appeal to reluctant readers.  I hope the humor found inside will encourage them to read and find other magazines or books they enjoy reading.  I also believe satire is a sophisticated entertainment tool.

References:

DC Entertainment. (n.d.). About DC Entertainment. Retrieved from http://www.dcentertainment.com/