Yes, it seems that everyone got into the humor magazine racket following Mad's huge success. Even the folks at Charlton, a fairly straightforward outfit not known for its wacky, madcap staffers. In this case, it seems This Magazine is Crazy was brought to you by the Usual Gang of Competent On-Time Staffers.
As you might guess, TMIC follows the same formula as Mad: fake ads, a letters page, and, of course, movie parodies:
None of the material in this issue is particularly compelling, in either the writing or art department. But there are some exceptions--like a segment called "The Russians Are Stealing Our Comics" featuring classic American newspaper strips if there were done by those dirty, dirty reds:
Also, the feature "Fact Realism vs. TV Is 'Em Real" is a real surprise, because it was drawn by none other than the legendary Jack Davis!:
After a bunch of other features, TMIC decided to make the comparison explicit, by going after ol' Alfred E. directly:
After goofing on Mad's humor features and even its merchandising, this issue of TMIC wraps up with some fake ads for cigarettes and toothpaste and called it a day.
Of course, Mad would have the last, er, laugh: this was the last issue of This Magazine is Crazy, allowing Mad to chalk up yet another name for their "Defeated Competitor" list, a list probably only exceeded by Johnny Carson for sheer length.
Of course, Mad would have the last, er, laugh: this was the last issue of This Magazine is Crazy, allowing Mad to chalk up yet another name for their "Defeated Competitor" list, a list probably only exceeded by Johnny Carson for sheer length.
