Mad #35

Mad Magazine turns five, and issue #35 marks the occasion with a wonderfully chaotic birthday party cover painted by Norman Mingo. Alfred E. Neuman grins front and center beside a towering "Happy Birthday Alfred E. Neuman" cake, surrounded by a jubilant crowd of partygoers, cartoon characters, a chef, a camel, and a swirling collage of figures that captures the full anarchic spirit of Mad's first half-decade. At just 25 cents — self-described as "CHEAP" — this October 1957 special anniversary issue is a delightful snapshot of the magazine at its irreverent best.