HUMOUR IN A JUGULAR VEIN - PART ONE...

Copyright DC COMICS

There are some people who think that FREDRIC WERTHAM's so-called 'anti-comics crusade' had an entirely negative effect on the comicbook industry way back when.  However, to quote a line from a well-known song from the classic film, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, "From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success!" - and MAD was most certainly that.

For its first 23 issues it was a comicbook, featuring lampoons of well-known comic strips, books, TV shows and movies, before switching to the magazine format that we all know and love today.  So, for all the nostalgists amongst you, here's a look back at the very first issue from 1952.  We start with a JACK DAVIS drawn tale which is positively calculated to drive you - what's the word again?  Ah, yes - MAD!  (Don't say I didn't warn you.)