Al Jaffee, the legendary cartoonist who set the standard for creative humor with his iconic works in MAD Magazine, has passed away at the age of 102. With his signature style of wry satire and visual puns, Jaffee captivated generations of readers and inspired countless cartoonists to follow in his footsteps. Throughout his illustrious career, he set numerous records and won multiple awards for his groundbreaking work, cementing himself an irreplaceable icon in the pantheon of American humor. In this article, we celebrate the life and legacy of Al Jaffee, and reflect on the impact he had on the world of cartooning and beyond.
Al Jaffee, the American cartoonist who made his mark on society through the satire magazine Mad, passed away at the age of 102. Boasting a 77-year-long career, Jaffee set a Guinness World Record for his unprecedented contributions to the world of cartoons. Mad was primarily aimed at pre-teens and teens, and Jaffee’s work was notably recognized for his fold-ins on the inside back cover.
Jaffee’s trademark fold-ins were essentially a spoof on the likes of Playboy and Sports Illustrated fold-out inserts. The images featured a question above and a caption below. When the page was folded vertically into thirds, the two outer sections joined to form a new picture and caption that ultimately answered the question. Jaffee’s fold-ins were highly popular and impactful, earning recognition from notable creators and celebrities such as Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, and The Simpsons.
One of the most impactful fold-ins that Jaffee created was in 1968 during the Vietnam war, which showed students outside a job centre accompanied by the question: “What is the one thing most school dropouts are sure to become?” When folded, the image changed to depict a young person in a cannon with the caption: “Cannon fodder.”
Apart from his work in fold-ins, Jaffee was also recognized for his Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions segment that included sarcastic ripostes to silly questions. Another notable achievement for Jaffee was his Mad Inventions, which included items such as a smokeless ashtray.
Despite his long and successful career, Jaffee remained humble and expressed his concerns for the political climate at the time. He thought that politicians were defeating Mad and going beyond what the magazine could think of doing to show the clownish nature of their claims. He observed that politicians used to claim they would create jobs for everybody in the country within two years or something similar, but now they claim they will create jobs for everybody on Mars.
Jaffee’s contributions were received with great appreciation from his peers and fans alike. Notable creators and celebrities tweeted about their admiration for him, including the likes of Gary Larson, the creator of Far Side, satirical singer Weird Al Yankovic, and TV host Stephen Colbert. Matt Groening’s The Simpsons also made references to Mad magazine and Jaffee’s fold-ins in several episodes over the years.
Jaffee was born as Abraham Jaffee in 1921, in Savannah, Georgia, to Jewish Lithuanian parents. His mother never settled in the US, and she took Jaffee and his three younger brothers back to Lithuania for six years. Jaffee’s father brought him back to America when he was 12, and he subsequently attended the High School of Music and Art in New York. After working for Stan Lee and the New York Herald Tribune, Jaffee enjoyed a long career at Mad, where he remained a freelancer.
Overall, Al Jaffee was a once-in-a-lifetime talent who impacted American culture through his groundbreaking work in Mad. His contributions will continue to be appreciated and celebrated by generations to come.
In the ever-evolving world of cartoons, Al Jaffee was an enduring figure who inspired generations of cartoonists with his humor, wit, and creativity. He was a master of the art form, breaking records and pushing boundaries with each stroke of his pen. As we bid farewell to this legendary artist, we reflect on his incredible legacy and the impact he made on the world of cartoons. Al Jaffee will forever remain an icon in the hearts of those who knew his work and a testament to the power of creativity and imagination. Rest in peace, Al Jaffee, and thank you for the laughter and joy you brought to so many of us.
