MAD’s Greatest Artists Series
A series of hardcover volumes has just been launched of the legendary cartoonists and artists that have been working at MAD Magazine over the years. The first of them Don Martin. MAD’s Greatest Artists: The Completely MAD Don Martin features every single cartoon/art work/cover by Don Martin in the 30 years he was at MAD Magazine in chronological order.
I love MAD Magazine and I was raised with old issues from the 70s, 80s and early 90s lying around our house. My dad used to read them while he was in college in the 70s and he even brought back a huge collection of paperback special editions when he came back to Kuwait. They are now on my bookshelf and I take very good care of them. I had a subscription for a year in 2003-2004 and I thought they were OK. They humor has changed but the great quality of cartooning and drawing is still excellent, even though many of the original artists are not there anymore.
Anyway, Don Martin’s cartoons are HILARIOUS. A large part of that is due to weirdest ever sound effects and his extremely unique style of cartooning. I don’t think any other person in the world draws like that without the intention of trying to adopt his style.
I can’t wait to see which artist will be next in this series. I hope it’s Dave Berg. He drew the “Lighter Side Of..” comics. I loved them because they were a great way of actually understanding the American culture, society and lifestyle of the times.
The price tag on this is $150. A bit pricey but it’s definitely worth it, and you can find cheaper prices online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I’m also planning on buying the The Complete Calvin and Hobbes and then giving my old paperbacks to my little brother. I don’t think he’s ever read any but I’m sure he’ll love them.
