Will Elder and Pieter the Elder and De tails

(of course any fool knows to click on the pictures to make the details larger - right?)

Above are two comic art illustration by Will Elder in MAD. The top on is from MAD comic book #16 and the bottom one is from MAD magazine #24, which is the first issue MAD used a magazine format.

Look at the many many little details. Some you will have to think about. In the case of the black and white the newsy happenings of the time is reflected in the audience – for instance, Arthur Godfrey fired Julius LaRosa… if you didn’t know that, the two here may not strike you as funny.

And here is a self-portrait of Will.




Bhob Stewart on his blog Potrzebie Potrzebie has a bit and a link to an excellent article for AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) about Will Elder by Michael Dooley.

In the article Dooley tells how masterly Will has lampooned and led the lampooning field. He mentioned that Will appreciated the art of Dutch artist Pieter Brueghel the Elder (c1525-1569).

In this case the title The Elder is not the official rank in a church, but to do with family standings. He had a son named Pieter Brueghel the Younger.

Below are a few paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Elder. Not all is paintings had small details, but these are examples of the ones that did – were they an inspiration to Will?





And here is self-portrait of Pieter Brueghel, the Elder.

Will Elder, Al Capp, and the Green-Eye Monster

Speaking of Will Elder – we were speaking of Will Elder weren’t we? Harry Lee Green in his Hairy Green Eyeball blog has brought out an great Will Elder classic of an Al Capp type revisits his Dogpatch – where he got his inspiration, to get another refill – and maybe a roll in the hay with one of those Dogpatch cuties.

It was originally printed in HELP magazine. It is a great job of Elder mad chicken-fat mind and another interesting tidbit is that the story was not written by Harvey Kurtzman as most of Elder’s were. It was written by Ed Fisher, who was a regular cartoon contributor to HELP.

Harry gives an excellent introduction to the Elder stuff. I also noticed the previous post is about the MAD competitor GET LOST! which will be interesting too I bet (I been busy lately, being step & fetchit for the carpenter).

Will Elder and his Fans

Back in the early 1950s, when I was in the 7th grade Will Elder was one of the three artists for MAD comic book. That should be no surprise if you read all my blogs and have a retention for useless information.

I sent Will Elder a letter back then telling him how much I enjoyed his art work. He sent me a note back thanking me for my nice words and a hand drawn signed cartoon of a Reggie (of “Archie”) type of fellow pulling the wings and legs off an insect and the balloon above his head said “She loves me, she loves me not…”

Will Elder and one of the other three MAD cartoonists were very fan-friendly. They knew they were nothing without admirers.

After I returned from the Navy my Bill Elder cartoon, under frame when I left, was no longer hanging in my bedroom where I left it. They said they didn’t know what become of it. So much for my original Will Elder cartoon.

After Elder left MAD he and his work friend Harvey Kurtzman went on to create TRUMP magazine, HUMBUG magazine, HELP magazine, and they also created and maintained Annie Fanny of PLAYBOY which ran for years and years.

In fact, Annie Fannie was their longest running gig.

After Will retired I sent him another letter praising his work and his history and I explained that the original he sent me disappeared. He sent me another original, which I have framed. It is of his creation Annie Fanny (see above).

Even after he is retired he still apprecaites his fans.

SUNDAY FUNNIES - PANIC #3, lI'L MELVIN

PANIC comicbook was a publication by EC Comics. Interesting, one of its competitors was its sibling. Both PANIC and MAD were published by William M. Gaines, who owned EC Comic books.

PANIC had an upper hand on the non-EC comics because PANIC employed the very same artists as MAD, and MAD sat the standards – all the lampoon comics wanted to look like MAD, it was the best seller. Artists Jack Davis, Wally Wood, and Will Elder did MAD and PANIC.

This was during a time that comics were getting a lot of criticism for their gruesome stories and pictures. EC also led the parade on that, publishing such comics as TALES FROM THE CRYPT, SHOCK, etc. So, I think Gaines was doing a reshuffle of his publications. He knew now, with the new pressures, MAD was doing the best – so why not have another lampoon-type of comic?

This story is drawn by Will Elder, which was the most popular trend setter at MAD.

In this story, LI’L MELVIN, frankly, it was like Elder was a loose cannon. I don't think he had the Kurtzman guidance because Kurtzman was not the editor. Elder put more little tiny side jokes than he put in MAD. I think he also wrote it. I read that he had written some of his own stories for PANIC.

In comic books many times there are more going on than meet the eye. And sometimes even a double story that only the fellow artist or writers can appreciate or get the full-jest of.

For instance, once Harvey Kurtzman carried a sample of his art work to a newspaper in New York City, and the man over things like that was Walt Kelly. Of course, Walt also did the comic strip POGO. Walt Kelly, according to Kurtzman, gave Kurtzman “the bum rush” out of the offices. Harvey Kurtzman was hurt and offended. Elder and Kurtzman were friends, notice how he treats the POGO characters in the story.

Another thing, you might not realize is the story behind the story of JOE POLOOKA’s characters popping up in the story. Al Cap, the creator of LI’L ABNER, and Ham Fisher, creator of JOE PALOOKA, were bitter enemies. Early in Al Capp’s career he worked for Ham Fisher doing a running story about hillbillies in Kentucky or maybe Arkansas. When Al Capp went out oh his own he did a strip similar as the strip he did for Fisher. Thus, a bitter court fight over copyright infringements. Ham Fisher lost and it wasn’t long until he took his own life… so, bare that in mind when you see the below story.

Another interesting thing is the last page where Elder gives an almost raspberry salute to all those "concerned" parents and investigating committees and others critical of the newly innovation of comics.

Will Elder on You Tube

Above - excellent biography of Will Elder

If you have read Chicken Fat for long you know I have a special warmth inside for me the old vintage MAD comic book and its early artists. …. Or is that warmth just a ball of upchuck ready to projectile itself out?

As I was saying, early MAD still remains in my mind and still influences my twisted way of thinking. Which brings up the name of this blog CHICKEN FAT, which I swiped from Will Elder (1921-2008). Will died May 15 this year. Will is credited for setting the standards of MAD art.


These two YouTubes are tributes of Willie sort of. Just click on and enjoy:


Will Elder You-Tube One

Will Elder You-Tube Two

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! MAD 24'S Non Cartoon Realistic Art

Artist Will Elder

Artist Will Elder

Artists: Left Will Elder, Right Harvey Kurtzman

Artists left Jack Davis, Right Will Elder

Artist Will Elder

artist Wallace Wood                           

SUNDAY FUNNIES!!

This comic illustrated tale was in HELP! Magazine #12, Sept 1961. Harvey Kurtzman was the editor and he probably wrote this story, which was his MO. The artist is Will Elder. Most of both men’s entire work history they worked together.

The star of this story is Goodman Beaver. Kurtzman and Elder produced several Goodman Beaver stories for HELP! Hugh Hefner, editor and publisher of PLAYBOY, suggested to them to transform Goodman Beaver into a sexy woman, rename her, keep the same type of misadventures and come back to work for PLAYBOY – which they did. Thus, Annie Fanny was born.

Notice Elder’s fine-tuned details… watch the native with the cone-shape outfit – watch the monkey checking out underneath the cone which has nothing to do with the story and other little bits of chicken fat* as well.

Click on any page to enlarge it to be able to read the balloons.

*Chicken fat was what Elder called the tiny little detailed side jokes most of the time unrelated to the story. To put your mind at ease, Will Elder didn’t steal “chicken fat” from me, I stole it from him!

Chicken Fat - the book

One time Bird (link on the right) asked me why did I name my blog Chicken Fat. In my mind, I think my response was ‘why not name it “Chicken Fat”?

Then I might have got huffy and folded my arms and said, “Because Will Elder used the words “Chicken Fat” all through his career as an illustrator. So, it is named in honor of Bill Elder, who is just the greatest cartoonist in the Universe, that’s all (saying with the enthusiasm of Napoleon Dynamite)!!

Seriously, Bill Elder in his little many mini side jokes that rarely had anything to do with the stories many little jokes… and he used the words ‘Chicken Fat” – to somehow underrate the seriousness of the illustration.
I will have to do a little research on what he said about Chicken Fat, I think it was something like: chicken fat is completely unnecessary, and even a little harmful, but it adds to the favor.

I have admired Will Elder since I was a pre-teenager reading MAD comics and followed his career through several satirical magazines and his and Harvey Kurtzman’s Annie Fanny in PLAYBOY magazine. Chicken fat is a tribute.

Today I received in the mail the book CHICKEN FAT by Will Elder that I ordered.

I have not had the time yet to look at it beyond flipping through it, but it looks like a lot of unpublished stuff, etchings, and the stories behind some of his illustrations. It looks pretty good. It was compiled and forwarded by his son-in-law Gary Vandenberg.

Now, I am wondering, should I sue him for using my blog name for the title of his book?
(kidding!)

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! Will Elder's Bad Little Towns

These three pages are from the pages of HELP Magazine in the 1960s.  I cannot tell you which HELP Magazine because the pages first two pages, which would contain the publisher's statement, are ripped out and also the cover.

I take good care of my collections don't I?

The art is by Will Elder.  Will Elder made his biggest splash as being one of the original four artists of MAD Comicbook and the first five issues of MAD Magazine.  And later he was the main artist behind ANNIE FANNY in PLAYBOY Magazine and many trials and tribulations from the first until the end.

The pages are the Elder's take of little misguided towns that are the background of many movies and TV shows.

Be sure and study the details, that is what is so good about Will Elders, tiny little details all over his splash on each page.

And also be sure and click on each page to make it larger and understandable.

Take it away Will!

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.

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! MAD's Late Will Elder's Crammingf

Here there are two comic book first page splashed.. They are both by one of MAD comicbook's first artists Will Elder. Elder was recognized world wide. It is amazing just how detailed the details are. Look at both, and don’t look at the big pictures but look at the details. It took a lot of cramming on Elder’s part. Look, take a break and go back and look again. I bet you missed something, Wait a couple of days and go back and maybe you will see more you didn’t realize on your earlier visits,. And again, maybe not.

SUNDAY FUNNIES - Double Feature Today

Note - As I said many times, and you keep forgetting, click on each picture to make it larger and better, and you will be able to read the balloons.









Our double feature today features the same subject matter, by the same writer, and by the same artist. However, the plots are different.

The same subject matter is Archie. That is, Archie Andrews, with Betty, Veronica, and Jughead.

Harvey Kurtzman wrote both stores and Will Elder drew them.

However, each was published by a different publication. The first one, STARCHIE was in MAD comicbook. The Second one, GOODMAN GOES PLAYBOY was in HELP! magazine.

There was about an eight years difference. STARCHIE was published in 1954 and GOODMAN GOES PLAYBOY was published in 1962.

When STARCHIE came out in MAD there was hardly a peep from John Goldwater (1916-1999) who was creator and publisher of ARCHIE COMICS.

However, when GOODMAN GOES PLAYBOY came out Goldwater hit the roof and carried them to court. I don’t know about any monetarily punishment but the courts ordered Kurtzman, Elder, and Warran (publisher) to never-ever print that article again.

When comparing the two stories you can see that ARCHIE was treated harsher in STARCHIE then in GOODMAN… In STARCHIE ARCHIE was a ruthless teenager hoodlum or thug. In GOODMAN ARCHIE and his friends had grown up and took up the playboy yuppie life style.

So, why did the second satire make Goldwater’s blood boil and the first one didn’t? I think there is a behind the scenes story that rumbled.

I believe I read that Goldwater’s ARCHIE COMICS office was at 225 Lafayette Street, the same building as publisher William Gaines’ MAD, or EC, Comic’s office was also there. I also heard that Gaines and Goldwater went way back together. Do friends sue friends? Rarely.

Also, Goldwater and ARCHIE COMICS were instrumental in setting up the Comicbook Code Authority… which was sort like having a wolf guard the henhouse. And from the start Harvey Kurtzman was a pain in the Comicbook Code Authority’s ass. And who knows, maybe they had a run-in in the elevator at 225 Lafayette Street.

Maybe as far as Goldwater was concerned, his buddy Bill Gaines was out of the picture - it was pay back time.

Before the STARCHIE story there is the MAD cover, which was being innovative, as usual. And the inside cover was a subscription ad, also drawn by Elder.


Back to GOODMAN BEAVER, the story was actually criticizing the PLAYBOY lifestyle, like selling your soul to the devil. Guess what, Hugh Hefner, publisher of PLAYBOY loved the story! I don’t know if this caused him to decide on ANNIE FANNY or not, but before too long he had Kurtzman and Elder give GOODMAN BEAVER a sex and name change and thus ANNIE FANNY was born and ran for about 30 years in PLAYBOY.