Back in March I posted a bit of news about longtime MAD Magazine editor Al Feldstein having health difficulties and needing heart surgery.

My friend Mark Evanier posted an update on his excellent News from ME blog about Al’s progress. Mark writes:

Also getting better is the legendary Al Feldstein, who was the writer-editor of Tales from the Crypt and other classic EC Comics, and the editor of MAD magazine for 29 years. Al underwent double-bypass aortic valve replacement (i.e., heart surgery) on April 17 at the world famous Mayo Clinic. He’s home now and recovering, and we’re happy about that, too.

Turns out Al had his surgery at the original Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, which is a mere hour from my house.

It’s great to hear all is well and Al is recovering. Get well soon.

Al Feldstein served as the editor of MAD Magazine for almost 30 years, having taken over after Harvey Kurtzman left due to differences with Bill Gaines. Kurtzman took most of MAD‘s artists with him to do a humor magazine called “Trump!” for Hugh Hefner, leaving Feldstein with the unenviable task of rebuilding MAD almost from scratch. The rest, as they say, is history. Feldstein retired from MAD in 1984.

Recently Al’s health has taken a wrong turn. On February 24th he was hospitalized for some tests after blacking out while at home on his ranch. Turns out he has heart problems that require bypass open heart surgery. The tests also labeled him as “high risk” for such surgery, meaning only a few hospitals have the wherewithal to perform the procedure. He is currently resting at home awaiting admittance into the Mayo Clinic to have the operation. Al is 84 years old.

My grandfather had that procedure at age 80 and came through with flying colors, living until over 90 years old. The Mayo Clinic is one of the best facilities in the world, performing delicate surgeries for everyone from kings to pro athletes… and my dad, who had a heart procedure at the Minnesota Mayo Clinic as well some years ago and is doing great today. I am sure Al is in good hands. None-the-less a few prayers from appreciative fans of MAD wouldn’t hurt.

I have yet to meet Al, but I plan on doing so in the near future. Hear that, Al??

Get well!