Review: MAD Magazine #524 – “We Quack Wise On Duck Dynasty”

Here at Bubbleblabber we’re known for our coverage of all things cartoons, but we love parodies too! Robot Chicken has been a cornerstone of our coverage since inception, but more recently we’ve begun to cover a show whose history is steeped in parody, and that show is MAD (Mondays on Cartoon Network/Check local listings). We’d be doing ourselves a disservice in covering the new age of MAD without covering the periodical that started it all so in this new feature we’ll do just that.

COVER-  Artist: Mark Fredrickson

Extremely well detailed, boldly colorful despite the overabundance of camouflage, and mildly funny, this cover is no where near the level of being considered “iconic” but is definitely better than average.

MAN OF STEEL- Writer: Desmond Devlin / Artist: Tom Richmond

A solid amount of pointed and powerful jokes ranging from the lack of common sense used in the movie to the amount of variety in the DNA contained in Taylor Swift’s sheets. The art is extremely detailed and lends a sizable amount of help to the writing by adding some great jokes in its own right. The outfit changes they put Russell Crowe through might just be the highlight of this seven-page spread.

 UNADVERTISED FAST FOOD “SECRET MENU” OFFERINGS- Writer: Scott Maiko / Artist: Mike Loew

This one was a bit of a reach for me. The jokes really didn’t hit at all! I think there were a bunch of missed chances to really utilize the companies used. You mean to tell me the funniest food parody you could drag out of Taco Bell was an empty shell? That said, the artwork on said products was really well done. And on a side note, I would eat the fuck out of a “Colonel’s Cheesy Discharge” from KFC. (Fried chicken crumbs from the trays in the display warmer, swimming in a cup of mac & cheese sauce.)

SPY VS. SPY- Writer/Artist: Peter Kuper

The main cartoon revolves around the white spy taking a serum that will make him paper thin to look into a top-secret box, of which the black spy has placed an industrial shredder. The secondary involves the black spy not knowing how a boomerang works. I must say, the Spy Vs Spy on the MAD animated show is much funnier.

3 ARTICLES I LIKED

1. 1.    Denny’s Menu Item Or Pro Wrestling Move? – Writer: Desmond Devlin / Artist: Anton EmdinA quick highlight of how ridiculous both wrestling moves and menu items can be named. The caricature of CM Punk is also hilarious, especially the interpretation of his tattoos.
2. 2.    Eckstein Marks The Spot– Writer/Artist: Bob EcksteinA simple, one-cell comic that makes a mockery of the refs who have been making a mockery of the NFL this season. LET THEM PLAY!!!

1. 3.    A “Duck Dynasty” Closing Prayer We’d Like To Hear– Writer: Desmond Devlin / Artist: Tom BunkThis is, by far, one of the most detailed pieces in this edition of MAD. Devlin is hilarious and his prayer is spot on, but Bunk really steals the show here. His artwork is like looking at a “Where’s Waldo” but knowing full well that there’s no Waldo to be found. With so many hidden jokes inside, this is not to be missed.

3 ARTICLES WORTH SKIPPING

1. 1.    Worst Selling Holiday Catalog Items: 2013 Edition– Writer: Jeff Kruse / Artist: Scott BricherAkin to “Unadvertised Fast Food ‘Secret Menu’ Offerings,” this is a bit of a reach for me. The intent is there, but sadly the jokes just miss the mark. However, if “The Visible Frosty” were to ever become a real item, I’d be there in a heartbeat to purchase.
2. 2.    Planet Tad!!!!!– Writer: Tim Carvell / Postman Artist: Brian DurniakHoly longest/most mundane article, Batman. At first glance, this was almost a “tl;dr” for me, and after I did the dilligance, I knew I should have followed my guts. Way too long winded and with the jokes coming so few and far between you may want to save your time for something better. Boy, I hope all websites aren’t like this. ::Looks hard at self in the mirror::
3. 3.    MAD’s All- Inclusive, Do-It-Yourself Obamacare News Story– Writer: Frank Jacobs / Artist: Paul CokerDo I see a “MAD”-lib? See what I did there? Some of the lines are decent, but for every one zinger there are three lines that fall flat on their face. Like Obamacare itself, this should have been holstered until it was ready for a successful roll out.

OTHER ARTICLES WORTH CHECKING OUT

The Real Reasons Why We Still Don’t Have Flying Cars, Worst Selling Halloween Candy, Zingers That History Forgot, A MAD Look At Ethnic Restaurants

 

JUDGE’S TABLE –  

BUY THIS!

Although there are a few flops this is a really solid edition of MAD. Pick it up and enjoy a bit of nostalgia coupled with current affairs. And don’t be afraid to laugh like you were a kid again. I sure did.

(@chefrichBB) covers MAD like chocolate covers bacon. Deliciously.