Mad #70

Mad #70 from April 1962 features a wonderfully absurd cover by Kelly Freas: Alfred E. Neuman glides along the ice with arms smugly folded, while a wild-eyed, disheveled companion skater careens out of control beside him — both of them bearing down on a row of squat yellow barrels lined up across the rink. The gap between the two skaters' composure makes the joke land perfectly, and Freas renders it all against a bold red backdrop with his characteristic wit and polish. Inside, Gary Belkin and Mort Drucker contribute "Alfred's Poor Almanac," promising the irreverent laughs that made Mad essential reading in 1962.