If ever there were a publication that has defined generation after generation since 1952; openly mocked a society, viciously jabbed at the establishment, and trod with angry shoes on ‘The Man’, MAD magazine definitely wasn’t it. Ha, just kidding! You see I was using reverse ridiculing there, much akin to MAD Magazine itself. Yes, MAD Magazine first made its news stand appearance in 1952 and has been going, more or less, strong ever sense. But more often than not, it wasn’t what was going on inside the mag -with its open contempt and harsh jeering- but rather what was pictured on the cover.

The covers, much like Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, and their ilk, became instant classic pieces of art and treasured as enduring masterpieces. Nah, they were garbage and better as bird cage lining. Ha! I did it again with the jokes! So let’s get on with it, shall we? Here we have 72 of MAD’s most enduring and memorable magazine covers. Why 72? Because seventy would have been too even, and seventy-five would have made too much sense… and this is how MAD would have wanted it. On with the show. Oh, right, if you wanna see all covers that MAD has done in its entire history, definitely check out Doug Gilford’s MAD Cover Site. And a big thanks to ’em!