A look back at the political genius of Mad magazine covers
Swift himself would envy some of this satirical wit
Jack Davis, one of the founding cartoonists of Mad magazine and part of the “Usual Gang of Idiots” that ran the magazine, died recently at age 91. Davis was known for his vivid caricatures poking fun at celebrities and public figures, which graced the covers of albums, posters, magazines and comics.
Davis got his start selling comics to EC Comics, known for publications like Tales from the Crypt. In 1952, in the middle of a public uproar about the violence of comics for kids, Davis, Harvey Kurtzman, and a handful of others launched Mad Men magazine. Davis’ style would heavily influence the next generation of cartoonists and illustrators and is still felt to this day.
Known for lampooning celebrities, movies and TV shows, Mad would change the shape of American humor, making it irreverent and sharp but with a revolutionary take on cultural commentary. Nothing was sacrosanct, and satire ruled the day. Mad would often also put out covers in the grand tradition of political satire that succinctly communicated a vicious and complex political situation. Below is a selection of some of the magazine’s best political commentary in cover form—including the work of Jack Davis.
