The death of Mad Magazine cartoonist Al-Jafi at the age of 102

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He pioneered some of the magazine’s most influential features, including “Quick Answers to Stupid Questions,” where a bland question leads to many unexpected quips, or the magazine’s inside-page back fold, which, when folded, cleverly transformed one work into another. previously hidden.

Launched in 1964 to emulate the shiny folds of Playboy and National Geographic, the fold became a hit and an influential symbol of mayhem.

“Al Jaffee was an incredibly talented man who touched our hearts and never failed to make us laugh,” said Jim Lee, DC’s Chief Creative Officer and Publisher. “He has received the highest awards and praise in the world of illustration and comics.”

Jaffee has received numerous awards for his clever parody and satire throughout his long career, including Cartoonist of the Year at the Rubin Awards, awarded in 2008.

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He was inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2014, the magazine said, and an archive of his work is housed at Columbia University.

“Al was, at her core, a bastard,” said John Ficarra, a former Mad editor-in-chief who has worked with Jaffee for more than 35 years. “He always had a terrifying twinkle in his eye and he brought that feeling to everything he created.”

national treasure

Jaffe, who earned his own Guinness World Record in 2016 for longest career as a stand-up comedian, said of his time at Mad Magazine: “There are so many things about this place that over the years that I’ve loved it, the staff Insane in particular is very hardy, but very fair and very good.

“When they told me something I was doing was only 90% working and something needed to be done about the other 10%, it literally drove me crazy, but I couldn’t argue with them because they were right. So it’s been one of the nicest trips I’ve ever been on. And I didn’t have to check my baggage.”

The cartoonist was respected and revered, Sam Viviano, former art director of Mad, said in the magazine’s tribute Monday.

“It was an event when Al would visit the crazy offices to drop off a folding suitcase,” said Viviano. “The staff would meet for an hour just to hear him talk about his remarkable life and career.”

Mad’s current art director, Susie Hutchinson, added, “Al embodied the true spirit of Mad, and many humorists, cartoonists and creators will find inspiration in his work for generations to come.”

“He was a national treasure, and it was an honor to work with and learn from, and learn from, the best of the original Gang of Idiots.”

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