Richmond Illustration Inc.
Monday MADness- MAD Recycling!
December 2nd, 2019 | Posted in MAD Magazine
I was surprised to see (mostly) my art on the cover of the the latest issue of Australian MAD. This is an altered version of this variant cover I did for Batman/Superman #10, April 2014:
Someone added the Joaquin Phoenix “Joker” makeup to the original art for the new cover. No, I did not get paid for this. In fact I didn’t even know about it until someone posted the cover pic on a MAD group in Facebook. That’s the wonderful world of work for hire.
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Can you please tell us what the Australian issue consists of content wise? Is “The Castle” they’re referring to the film from ’97? Thanks in advance Tom!
No idea. I don’t have a copy.
Hey there, Quincy and Tom! I illustrated the piece on ‘The Castle’ in this issue, and can confirm it is indeed the 1997 movie. We did a piece akin to the “MAD Movies Missed” satire of A Christmas Story from LA MAD #5.
I was quite surprised myself to see the editor use something that technically wasn’t even a MAD illustration for the cover… though, I am under the impression that reusing work without anything along the lines of payment or royalties is pretty standard MAD fare worldwide.
Thanks for the clarification, Harry! I am not sure about all foreign editions but it’s always been WFH with MAD in the US. That is why artists like Arnold Roth refused to submit work to MAD back in the day, or at least that’s what Arnie told me. Although, in my very early days at MAD is was standard practice to pay the freelances SOMETHING if work was reprinted. It was a tiny fraction of the original page rate, but it was a nice gesture.
PS – I’m sure the Australian MAD would pay you for your work if you let them know about this. They might even
hire you considering the American MAD hired George Woodbridge from the British MAD. I’ve noticed other cultures of MAD recycle pieces from the American version so that the new cultures can enjoy content not available to these cultures before. They might have seen Alfred and just assumed it was meant as a promotion for MAD. Considering the fact that you’re well traveled I know for a fact that you’ll receive a warm welcome if you ever decide to visit Australia down under Tom!
Hello Quincy and Tom! I illustrated the piece on “The Castle” in this issue, and can confirm it does refer to the Australian 1997 film. We did a “movies MAD missed” type of satire along the lines of the Christmas Story parody in MAD #5.
I was quite surprised myself to see them reusing the Batman cover, especially as it wasn’t even originally for. MAD! That said, I think reusing work without any manner of additional payment is pretty par for the course in the pages of MAD magazine.
(Sorry for the double post… the website took several hours to process the comment and I thought it hadn’t gone through. D’oh!)
Harry – Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m surprised the Australian MAD hasn’t parodied “The Castle” before, but am pleased to know you guys are finally giving it the tribute it deserves!
Since you happen to be a MAD MAN yourself do you by any chance have a website, blog or similiar page where I can follow your work? Living in North America is problematic for me because I have a difficult time tracking down the Aussie MAD of which I am a big fan. Is it at all possible for me to order a copy of this issue from you? The first Aussie issue I bought parodied Jim Henson’s “Dinosaurs” which was ignored by the American MAD ironically enough as well as other humor magazines. The series has always been celebrated in my household and “Dinobores” certainly meet our expectations! No one could have done it better and I’ve been a fan of Aussie MAD ever since! It’s because of you guys that I ever became aware of Kylie Minogue!
Harry – Do you have a website, blog or other where I can follow your work? I would very much like to purchase a copy of this issue if you have any available as Aussie MADs are hard to find here in the States!
Harry – Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m surprised the Australian MAD hadn’t parodied “The Castle” before, but am pleased to know you guys are finally giving it the tribute it deserves! The first time I purchased an Aussie MAD was when you guys parodied Jim Hansen’s “Dinosaurs” which is in the top five of my personal favorite parodies in the history of MAD Magazine. I’ve been a fan ever since but it is incredibly difficult to find copies for sale over here in North America. I look forward to purchasing new copies when I find them though! Keep up the great work and STAY MAD!