Al Jaffee

Al Jaffee (born March 13, 1921) is a cartoonist, best known for his work in MAD Magazine. He was born in what is now known as Savannah, Georgia.

Related Topics:
March 13 - 1921 - Cartoonist - MAD Magazine - Savannah, Georgia

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Jaffee began his career in 1941 working as a comic book artist for several publications, including Marvel Comics. He joined the "Usual Gang of Idiots" (as they call themselves) at MAD magazine sometime in 1955. In 1964 he created the MAD fold-in. The MAD fold-in, a feature in which a picture inside the back cover of the magazine is folded to reveal a new "hidden" picture (as well as a new caption), is still one of MAD's signature features and still appears in the magazine.

Related Topics:
1941 - Marvel Comics - 1955 - 1964 - MAD fold-in

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Jaffee contributed to many features of MAD as both a writer and artist. Some features which he has created include "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions" and several articles on inventions and gadgets in an elaborately detailed style. Many of these features he has expanded into stand-alone books.

Related Topics:
Writer - Invention

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Today Jaffee does commercial artwork for advertisements and illustrates children's books. He still works for MAD Magazine and is its oldest regular contributor. He recently appeared in his 400th issue of the magazine, a total unmatched by any other writer or artist.

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In 2005, the production company Motion Theory created a video for recording artist Beck's song "Girl" using Jaffee's MAD Magazine fold-ins as inspiration; Jaffee's name appears briefly in the video on a television screen.

Related Topics:
Beck - MAD Magazine

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