The 25 Most Complex MAD Covers Of All Time

Someone told us that today marked the 54th anniversary of Alfred E. Neuman’s first appearance on the cover of MAD Magazine. Hard to say, since it’s the July 1955 issue, but we’ll buy it; more importantly, though, the granddaddy of all humor magazines (except maybe Prevention, but that’s only because people walking proudly towards death is hilarious) just dropped its 500th issue. So recognize: Without MAD, there would be no Saturday Night Live, no Simpsons, no Apatow crew–hell, no Complex blog. Think we’re wrong? MAD’s had a number of Complex-friendly covers over the years…and yes, we’ve rounded them up as a way to say “Happy birthday, you usual gang of idiots.” Blecccch!

ISSUE #25, JULY 1955 (ALFRED E. NEUMAN’S COVER DEBUT)

ISSUE #111, JUNE 1967

ISSUE #128, APRIL 1969

ISSUE #159, JUNE 1973

ISSUE #166, APRIL 1974