Comics / Comics News

Madness Invades Universe

By The Editor
August 9, 2005 - 18:06

MAD Magazine, America's best-selling humor magazine is intensifying its already aggressive plan to take over the universe with the launch of two new spin-off magazines (MADKIDS and MAD Classics) and a series of nationwide promotions for the MAD brand.

Continuing its resurgence as a cultural tastemaker and publishing powerhouse, MAD Magazine is thriving with advertising revenues up 42% this year vs. 2004, its wildly inventive Mountain Dew campaign featuring its legendary Spy vs. Spy characters and recent brand building opportunities that include a NASCAR Racing program and the Take 2 Games Spy. Vs. Spy Xbox game. The magazine was recently named as one of the nation's top 50 by the Chicago Tribune, and Hilary Clinton's comparison of the President to one Alfred E. Neuman drew national headlines this month.

"It's an exciting time for us," said MAD Magazine Editor John Ficarra. "And we're excited about all the excitement. Yes, I think it would be fair to say that we're experiencing an unusually high level of excitation. It's exciting."

"MAD's more than a magazine - it's an attitude, an offbeat way of looking at the world," added Associate Publisher David McKillips.

Details of MAD Magazine's mad, mad plans include:

Two new magazines:

* MAD Classics. This month, MAD Magazine released the first issue of MAD Classics, a 100-page full color magazine to be published 8 times a year. MAD Classics targets avid fans who just can't get enough of MAD's parodies and satire, with theme issues full of MAD's "Best of the Worst." MAD Classics #1, on sale now, features a Harry Potter cover and War of the World's Outtakes.

* MADKIDS. This November, MAD launches MADKIDS, a new magazine for 6 - 11 years olds. With an initial rate base of 200,000, MADKIDS will move to a quarterly schedule in 2006 and will feature both age-appropriate classic MAD MAGAZINE parodies as well as fresh, new content (including Spy vs. Spy Jr. Comics and guides to new games, toys and movies). "It's our devious plan to corrupt the minds of America's youth before they're old enough to realize how dumb we are," said Ficarra. The launch of MADKIDS will be supported by advertisements in various DC Comics' kids titles including The Batman Strikes, Teen Titans Go!, Justice League Unlimited, Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12