Mad #394
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeIn "The Malpractice," Monroe’s foreign exchange dream takes a dark turn when he’s sent to China and thrust into grueling labor, while back home his mother is mysteriously thriving—literally living the high life with Hung Lo, the very student who replaced him. Written by Anthony Barbieri and illustrated by Bill Wray, this issue blends surreal humor with sharp social satire, all wrapped in a cover by Richard Williams that captures the story’s off-kilter tone.
In this hilariously twisted tale from Mad #394, Monroe trades his suburban life for a foreign exchange program in China—only to find himself stuck in grueling labor, while back home his mom is enjoying a wild time with Hung Lo, the very student who’s now living in her house. The absurd contrast between Monroe’s misfortune and his mom’s unexpected adventure fuels a perfectly pitched satire of cultural exchange and parental priorities.
In "The Lighter Side of..." from Mad #394, a sharp, satirical glance at modern life unfolds across four pages, poking fun at everything from office politics and therapy sessions to the absurdity of celebrity and the quiet desperation of daily routines—where even pets and cell phones get a turn in the spotlight.
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Reprinted in Mad #16 (2020), Mad #45 (2025)
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