MAD Magazine - The five questions posted most recently:

How many complete collections of Mad Comics & Mad Magazine do think exist today? What would their value be as a complete set?

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 14:45:00 GMT

There are a lot of complete american collections around the world, but there is no complete collection of all MAD Magazines including the foreign edition. Bret Rugg from the USA owns the most complete collection of all MAD Magazines. The value could be anywhere from zero to $ 100,000 US depending on the buyer and condition.

What MAD regular issues cover variations exist?

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 18:23:00 GMT

No. 28 has three different covers: Guided Missiles, Income Tax Guide ACE, and Income Tax Guide ANC
No. 123 has four different covers: 1,111,784 / 2,148,000; 1,112,362 / 2,148,000; 1,189,168 / 2,148,000; and 1,376,485 / 2,148,000. Also, see note at end of answer.
No. 300-303 have two different covers: UPC Bar and Hussein Asylum Editions
No. 323 has two different covers: Red MAD logo and yellow MAD logo
No. 359 has four different covers: #1 of 4, Alfred E. Neuman as Mr. Freeze; #2 of 4, Alfred E. Neuman as Robin; #3 of 4, Alfred E. Neuman as Batgirl; and #4 of 4, Alfred E. Neuman as Batman
No. 363-365 have two different covers: Border design and no border
No 371 has two different covers featuring South Park characters.
No.383 has two different covers: #1 of 2, Skywalker with Alfred E. Neuman shadow; and #2 of 2, Alfred E. Neuman with Skywalker shadow
No. 395 has two different covers: #1 of 2, Al Gore; and #2 of 2, George W. Bush
No. 401, while not a cover variation, has two different issues. The 20 Dumbest People, Events and Things of 2000 feature has different drawings. One shows George W. Bush taking the oath of office and the other has Al Gore taking the oath.
No. 407 has 2 different covers. #1 of Alfred getting ready to blow up Johnny Knoxville (Jackass), and #2 with Alfred blowing up himself instead.
No. 411, the one that came out right after 911. The original issue had already been printed on 9/11. Due to the nature of the cover, Mad reprinted the issue that you can see here. The original version can be see at http://www.collectmad.com/collectibles/mad411rc.jpg Most copies were destroyed. But a VERY FEW did make it out of the printing company
No. 413 comes unbagged or in a plastic bag with a yellow banner that states "MAD 20 Dumbest People, Events And Things Of 2001!" with a circled "Free! AOL Software Inside!"
No. 419 has two different covers: Alfred with Queen Amidala and Alfred with Mace Windu & Obi Wan Kenobi.
Special Note: Seven issues of No. 411 with the Caldwell cover appeared on eBay during November 2001. These copies are not considered a variation because the issue was never legally bound or distributed. Copies with this cover most likely were stolen from the press and hand bound. The MAD offices did receive a few printer proofs of the Caldwell cover art, but they exist as single sheets. Other illegal copies could exist which didn't appear on eBay. Nick Meglin verified the facts about this issue never being bound.
No 431 has 2 different covers featuring satires of the movie The Incredible Hulk.

What are the current MAD fanzines or newsletters?

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 23:36:00 GMT

The MAD Panic – ~~For subscription information contact: Ed Norris, 91 Kelly Dr, Lancaster MA 01523 or email to enorris@attbi.com. (First published March 1990)~~

The Journal of MADness – ~~For subscription information contact: John Hett,44743 Brookside, Plymouth MI 48170 or email to jmadness@hotmail.com (First published November 1997)~~

Both magazines are no longer published!

Are the following images of characters Alfred E. Neuman?

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:52:00 GMT

None of the following are considered to be early Alfred E. Neuman images:

The Yellow Kid

The Hampden Handsome Waiter (Hampden Brewing Company)

Howdy Doody.

What is the earliest image of Alfred E. Neuman?

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:51:00 GMT

This is a tough one because different people can see or not see his likeness in early images. Also many of the early images are not dated. Most collectors will agree that the earliest dated image that is definitely Alfred E. Neuman is from the Atmore’s Mince Meat Plum Pudding ad dating from 1895. The ad can be found in the Illustrated London News (the New York City edition).