Mad Magazine #196

DC Comics currently publishes Mad Magazine.  In 2018 the magazine was restart with a new #1 with a new editorial staff, but that wasn't enough to save the publication.  It has been announced that Mad Magazine will ceased publishing new content on a regular basis with issue #10.  Subsequent issues will include reprints except for an annual issue which will contain new content.

The first issue of Mad was released in August 1952.  This standard comic-sized publication changed to the magazine format with issue #24 published in July 1955.  Mad Magazine is known for its satire and pop culture parodies.  Not surprising, one of the first non-Marvel Star Wars comics was published in Mad Magazine #196 with a cover date of January 1978.  That issue contains a 7-page parody titled Star Roars and a cover by Jack Rickard that features the heroes of the movie along with Alfred E. Newman dressed up as Darth Vader.

Mad Magazine #196a - E.C. Publications, U.S. (January 1978)

At the time Mad Magazine #196 was published, there were several competing satirical magazines in the United States including Cracked, Crazy, and Sick.  All of them poked fun of Star Wars during their runs and I'll create a posting in the near future highlighting some of the Star Wars issues.  Mad Magazine proved to be resilient when all these competing publications ceased decades ago.

Mad Magazine has continued to feature Star Wars content (and covers) to this day and hopefully they will continue to parody future Star Wars movies in their future annual issues.