Mad #400 (Nick Meglin and John Ficarra) - The Untold History of Mad Magazine Issue - December 2000

In one of the best articles to ever appear in Mad, writer Desmond Devlin rewrote the history of Mad ("The Untold History of Mad Magazine").  Seven Mad artists were required to pictorially convey these ten pages of Devlin genius.  This special issue of Mad celebrated the publication of the 400th Mad in 48 years.  That is approximately 8.3 issues per year.  The article includes 15 previously unseen Mad covers and one fold-in that was a bit askew.  There is also a brief account of Mad imitators including the long-forgotten "Mental Candidate for Invasive Frontal Lobe Surgery".  Devlin's tour de force pays special tribute to Mad icons: Publisher Bill Gaines, Editors Harvey Kurtzman & Al Feldstein, Artists Don Martin, Antonio Prohias & Sergio Aragones, and Writer Frank Jacobs.  Although many of the historical connections are doubtful, I did find one major error on page 8 - that is not Mad #26 that Rosa Parks is reading on the bus.  Other features celebrating the 400th issue are the two-page mosaic poster by Robert Silvers, a special fold-in by Al Jaffee, and some marginally-funny jokes by 14 "celebrities" ("What Drives You Mad?").  Who knew that Winona Ryder would use her quarter-inch to criticize Dr. Laura?  [JAM 12/28/2013]

Departments:
Hand Hell - Celebrity Palm Ads We'd Like to See
The Untold History of Mad Magazine
Serge-In General - A Mad Look at TV
Angster's Paradise - Monroe & ... A Day With Dad
Mosaic Parting the Dead 'Zine - Mad Pullout Poster
A Dolt's Education - You're Probably Not Headed to College if
An Embarrassment of Richard's - "Internet Ready Keyboard" Icons That Tell it Like it is
They Vent That-a-Way - What Drives You Mad?
Berg's-Eye View - The Lighter Side
I've Grown a Custard to Your Face - Mad's 8 Sure-Fire Signs It Ain't Pudding  [Fake Department]
Joke And Dagger - Spy vs. Spy
Clause And Defects - More Contractual Obligations We'd Like to See Some Celebrities Agree To
Oval And Out - Goodnight Room
Grieving Las Vegas - Mad's Celebrity Cause-of-Death Betting Odds  [Vince McMahon]

Fold-In - Mad Magazine (not Time magazine or Lyndon Johnson)