Review of MAD's MAD AT THE WORLD video

MAD AT THE WORLD is a video that claims to be a history of MAD magazine.  I don't know who made it, but I think MAD had it professional made.  It uses  MAD unique humor, and has two fairly well done take-offs on the GOD FATHER movie and ALL IN A FAMILY.  

I would have enjoyed it more if they gave credit where credit is due.  Of the four original artists, Jack Davis is the only one mentioned.   My hero Harvey Kurtzman, creator and editor of the first 25 plus issues was not even mentioned.  The three original artists that were not mentioned are Will Elder, Wally Wood, and John Severin.  Will Elder's covers were shown in several shots in the video.

Bill Gaines owned MAD from the start.  It was one of the comics E.C. Publishing Company owned.  The other comics were mostly science fiction, war Comics, and horror comics (such as TALES FROM THE CRYPT.

The video gives Al Feldstilen credit of being with MAD from the start.  Not so.  Felstein co-edited the science fiction and horror comics with his boss Bill Gaines.  They had a unique system of creating stories.  Before MAD Harvey Kurtzman edited E.C.'s two war war comics, FRO;NT LINE COMBAT and TWO FISTED TALES.

Kurtzman was not earning enough money to support his family and asked Gaines for a raise.  He said Felstein was making more money.  Gaines reminded him  at Feldstein  was responsible for about 8 comic titles and  Kurtzman only 2.   Then out of necessity Kurtzman dreamed up MAD.

When MAD became very successful it was about time the Comic Code same a powerful censorship of comics which destroyed EC horror comics and Al Felstein had to be let go.  And Harvey Kurtzman demanded more money or he would walk.   Gaines fired Kurtzman and rehired Feldstein to replace him.   And Feldstein was the editor for the next 30 years.

I think out of loyalty  Will Elder left MAD too.  With Hugh Hefner's help they started TRUMP and it lasted two issues.  Then they started HUMBUG Magazine, which looked like a cheap MAD imitation, lasted  about a dozen issues.  Next they created HELP Magazine owned by Warren Publishing and it last several years.

Then Kurtzman and Elder started the series LITTLE ANNIE FANNY comic strip in PLAYBOY.

I could go on and tell more of their endeavors, but you get the point.