Dave Berg's Mad Trash #[nn]

In "Pushcarts," a satirical nod to the evolution of retail, a whimsical history traces how street vendors once relied on pushcarts—only to see their role reimagined in the future, where massive stores still use pushcarts to sell goods within their endless aisles. The story’s sharp, typeset letters deliver a dry, deadpan commentary on commerce’s endless sprawl.

In a satirical take on national decline, Dave skewers American lifestyle trends with a grimly humorous prophecy: as the country grows fatter and more sedentary, its reliance on cars and comfort will leave it defenseless—just like Rome, only this time the invaders won’t be from the west, but the east.

In "Hide-A-Bed," a playful riff on furniture design takes a delightfully absurd turn as the familiar idea of a bed that folds out from a sofa gets stretched to its limits—first into other pieces of furniture, then into entirely unexpected objects. The humor unfolds with a straight-faced precision, letting the logic of the premise carry the joke, all delivered in crisp, typeset letters.

In this satirical 1977 gem from Dave Berg’s Mad Trash, a world where teenagers are in charge leads to adults suddenly behaving like teens—complete with reckless decisions and chaotic energy—culminating in MAD itself publishing a tongue-in-cheek piece titled "What Would Happen If Adults Ran The Country."