Good and MAD Things
So far 2009 hasn’t been the best of years for MAD magazine. The announcement back in February that as of issue #500 MAD was going to start publishing quarterly instead of monthly was cited by some as the death knell of the publication. I get asked about the reduction in publication all the time, and what I think the future holds for MAD.
I think the rumors of MAD‘s death have been greatly exaggerated.
There are a number of things in the works right now that bode well for MAD and not only it’s continued publication but a resurgence in it’s visibility and maybe a return to a greater publication schedule.
One of those things was the publication of the “Bo Confidential” book this summer, which is already in it’s second printing despite basically zero promotion and will probably see a promotional push for the holidays. No doubt other original books projects are being explored.
There is a lot of buzz about a complete makeover of the MAD website… no details as of yet but the plans I’ve heard about are ambitious and would make MAD‘s corner of the web a place to visit daily (or multiple times a day).
There is also a lot of talk about the expansion of MAD into other media, and there are real plans in development for some really cool and interesting stuff that will bring MAD to a whole new generation of fans and readers. Most of these projects are still in the “can’t talk about it” stage but they are not just rumors. Maybe some or all will end up in development hell and never see the light of day, but they are in real development.
This is actually an exciting time for MAD. I will certainly share details when it is appropriate to share them here. In the meantime, things are looking up in the MAD world.
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Mad magazine has been a huge inspiration for me for years now, I wish them the best and hope they continue publication for many more years.
Tom
Mad magazine like every thing has to move with the times. Digital media is here to stay and whether print is dead or not doesn’t change the fact people are online more and more. It’s second nature for me to google something when years ago I would flick through books and magazines which included Mad.
Looking forward to MAD’s presence on the net if it happens…but until then your blog is my MAD fix
Cheers George
Any ideas for mad specials?
I sure hope they return to a more frequent publishing schedule. I know stores around here that stopped carrying Mad when they went to quarterly. Out of sight, out of mind.
Most of our clients figured out very early into this economic downturn that cutting back only made things worse. The ones the kept up frequency but printed less copies are doing a lot better compared to the ones that cut back on frequency.
I’ll keep reading MAD as long as it’s published, no matter how often.
it’s funny, i was pleasantly surprised when it switched to quarterly, my 1 year subscription was extended to 3 years!
Hi Tom ive heard a long time about MAD magazine and its legacy in the world, but im more interest since i met you in CALICOMIX, and i hope that the great changes that DC its making push more what the magazine has to offer. Take care.
Are you from Colombia? tell me about some magazines from Colombia similar to MAD. I´m from Peru.
No, but I visited there in June to speak at the CaliComix event. I’m from the U.S.
The makeover of the MAD website would be be the best news of MAD in years.