Mad #196

Mad Magazine takes aim at the biggest film of 1978 with this Jack Rickard cover painting that assembles the entire Star Wars ensemble — Darth Vader looming front and center with a goofy grin peeking out beneath his mask, flanked by C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Princess Leia against a starfield backdrop. The banner promises MAD's signature treatment of "Star Wars" alongside jabs at Three's Company, public services, modern high schools, and recent best-sellers — a full magazine of satirical mischief for just 60 cents. If you've ever wanted to see Vader's serious mystique undercut by a smirking Nerf-herder expression, this issue delivers that image with gleeful confidence.