Sneak Peek: MAD #523 Cover!

POLITICO has a small (and I mean TINY) sneak peek of the Mark Fredrickson cover art for MAD #523, coming out in just a few weeks. This cover is interesting to me for a number of reasons:

1. This is the first cover of MAD (not counting specials, etc) where the Spies are the main focus of the gag. The Spies have been on a few covers as parts of montage images, borders, etc.
2. It’s one of the very few without Alfred as part of the main gag (they snuck him into the “O” on the lower headline)
3. I got to see part of the cover process first hand. I was in the offices when the final composition and design of the cover was completed. They say that the covers are a part of the magazine the editors and art department really spend a lot of time, effort, passion, and thought on… they aren’t kidding. I witnessed lengthy discussion, heated debate, cursing, screaming, slapping, biting, spitting and the hurling of potted plants not named Arthur… and that was just over how to spell “Privacy”.

Anyway, one of my favorite covers in recent years, and a great job (as usual) by Mark. Too bad this sneak peek is so small.

Looks like the did a parody of “Homeland” in this issue… I wonder who did the art for that? 😛