Help!

From 1960 to 1965, Warren Publishing’s Help! was a satirical magazine that blended comic strips, photo features, and biting humor, bridging the gap between the Mad era and the underground comix revolution. Most associated with Harvey Kurtzman—who edited and wrote for the title after leaving Mad—the series showcased early work from future icons like Gilbert Shelton and featured contributions from legendary cartoonist Charles Dana Gibson. With 26 issues, Help! served as a vital incubator for countercultural comedy, offering a platform for absurdist and politically edged satire before the underground scene fully erupted. Its mix of written gags, photographed parodies, and comic art made it a unique, influential artifact of early-1960s pop culture.