Mad #378 (Nick Meglin and John Ficarra) - Desmond Devlin Issue - February 1999

Desmond Devlin made his first contribution to Mad in 1985 (Mad #253) with "The Mad 1984 Quiz".  Then, for eight years he averaged three articles per year.  In 1994 he became a regular writer with peak production years being 1998-1999 (58 credits).  He was everywhere in Mad #378 with six articles filling 15 pages.  He opened with the pro wrestling catalog parody ("Slam's End") and finished with the best article of the issue ("Upcoming Movies Based on Comic Books").  The latter article also featured the best art of the issue by newcomer Amanda Conner.  In between, Devlin wrote "Abbot & Costello Organize the MTV Videotape Library", "Pro Wrestling Haiku" and another "Mad Pop Off Video".  In his spare time, he helped Jeff Kruse with "Mad's Candy Heart for Modern Lovers" on the back cover.  The clever words have continued to flow from Mr. Devlin's pen (or word processor) for nearly 30 years with no end in sight.  [JAM 8/1/2013]

Departments:
New World Order Form - Slam's End - The Catalog of Pro Wrestling
A Kick in the Ask - Polling in America: The Numbers Behind the Numbers
Campy Counseling - The Loveline Advice Chart for Dysfunctional Celebrities
Angster's Paradise - Monroe & The Drums
Air's Mail - Letters to Michael Jordan
Numbing of Age - The Timeline of Disillusionment
A Bug's Strife - The Antz
Joke And Dagger - Spy vs. Spy
Who's on Mirth - Abbott & Costello Organize the MTV Videotape Library
VH-Dumb - Mad Pop Off Video: Alanis Morissette "Thank You"
A View to a Bill - The Congressional Record Comic Pages
Help is on the Wane - The 10 Rules of Computer Tech Support
Serge-In General - A Mad Look at Capital Punishment
Wrinkle, Wrinkle Little Star - Sure Signs Your Favorite Action Heroes Are Getting Old
For Bettor or Worse - When Casino Gambling Comes to Your City
Whacks Poetic - Pro Wrestling Haiku
Billy Clubbed - Impeach Him!
The Multiplex-Men - Upcoming Movies Based on Comic Books
Grieving Las Vegas - Mad's Celebrity Cause-of-Death Betting Odds

Fold-In - Ballot Box