Al Jaffee, also known as the King of Mad Magazine, has been announced dead by his granddaughter. He died of multiple organ failures at a hospital in Manhattan on Monday, April 10, 2023. He was 102 years old.
Advertisement
He created the longest-running Mad feature in 1964 dubbed Fold In. The publication was structured in that each drawing is folded vertically and inward to reveal a new hidden – as well as a new caption.
Fold-in became one of the magazine’s most popular features and appeared in almost every issue for 56 years; from 1964 to 2020.
Jaffee started his career professionally in 1942 as an established and talented cartoonist who worked for several publications. He first worked for Jokers Comics in December 1942 and then moved to other publics like Timely Comics, Atlas Comics, and more. He once worked for Marvel Comics during the early part of his career.
Advertisement
Celebrities and other people on social media have sent their condolences after the announcement of his death.
“Al Jaffee has passed away. I still can’t believe I had the honor of calling him my friend. If there was ever a Mt. Rushmore-level cartoonist, it was Al. But when he drew the cover of the Humbug compilation, he drew his friends atop Mt. Rushmore, while he made jokes at base,” American cartoonist, Ruben Bolling wrote.
“We have lost one of the greatest cartoonists of all time. Al Jaffee passed away at the age of 102. An absolute legend, who contributed to Mad Magazine for 65 years. Arguably his biggest contribution was the fold ins at the end of each issue. This one always stuck with me,” Emmy award-winner. Danny Deraney wrote.
Leave a Reply