A MAD-ly Good Trend!

MAD #5 is the last issue of 2018, and as such it includes public disclosure of stats like circulation figures. According to the figures (via Mike Slaubaugh‘s excellent MAD Lists website), total paid circulation increased for the fourth straight year (122,908 to 133,924 to 139,725 to 150,195). A modest increase but still a nice trend upward, and an increase of almost 30,000 since 2015. More people reading is always better than less.

In other list news, I still remain 373 issues behind leader Al Jaffee for most appearances in MAD (Al’s at 505). Assuming Al retires after this new issue is out, that I am in every issue going forward, and that MAD continues publication at six times a year, I’ll take over the top spot in MAD #378, April 2081. I’ll be 114, or about ten years younger than Al is right now. Of course not all of those assumptions are going to come to pass, particularly the “AL retires after this latest issue” one, since he will probably make it to issue #378 also. Also I am assuming MAD’s numbering stays consistent. Give DC’s track record, the issue number will probably be MAD: Re-Re-Re-Birth #3, April 2081.