The email arrived with a blaring subject line: “EMERGENCY! DO NOT PUBLISH!” But the attached PDF… it was too tempting. Inside, panels of Batman crying over spilled bat-milk and Wonder Woman tangling her lasso in red tape jumped off the screen. What could possibly warrant such secrecy for something so hilariously absurd?
April Fools’ Day is always a minefield, especially online—but this is confirmed to be real: MAD About DC, a team-up between the legendary humor magazine and legendary comics imprint, releases April 1. The 64-page one-shot is guest-edited by none other than Chip Zdarsky.
The official word is that the issue “brings together an all-star lineup of writers and artists to lovingly roast, parody, and generally make a mess of the characters fans hold dear.” It’s a comedic demolition derby, and DC’s icons are strapped into the driver’s seats.
Among those wielding the comedic hammer are Sergio Aragonés (“A MAD Look at Comic Book Stores”) and Jim Zub with Ramon Perez doing “Guy vs. Spy.” Charles Soule and Ryan Browne are on deck for a DC take on the classic MAD fold-in.
Who’s who in this DC roast?
Think about the last truly funny thing you saw. Was it observational? Slapstick? Now amplify that by a factor of fifty. This issue is a masterclass in controlled chaos, seemingly engineered to make you snort-laugh in public.
Other luminaries laying into DC’s heroes and villains include Kyle Starks, Dave Johnson, Tini Howard, Mattie Lubchansky, Mark Waid, Ty Templeton, Rainbow Rowell, Vita Ayala, M.L. Sanapo, Mark Russell, Steve Lieber, Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Gerry Duggan, Scott Aukerman, Mitch Gerads, Joanne Starer, Joe Quinones, Scott Snyder, Josh Williamson, Deniz Camp, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Joe Kelly, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Mariko Tamaki, Riley Rossmo, Al Ewing, PJ Holden, Shannon Wheeler, Leah Williams, Isaac Goodhart, Cody Ziglar, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Daniel Kibblesmith, Brandt&Stein, Casey Gilly, J. Bone, Skottie Young, Andrew Wheeler, Stephen Byrne, Colleen Coover, Benjamin Errett, Matt Fraction, Kagan McLeod, Lee Gatlin, Joseph Starkey, Graham Roumieu, and more. Clearly, this was a popular pitch!
Where can I buy MAD About DC?
Remember the thrill of finding a hidden gem at your local comic shop? MAD About DC promises that same rush of discovery, but with more rubber chickens. The title will be available wherever comics are sold on April 1.
The main cover by Dan Panosian sells for $8 (approximately €7.35); cardstock variants by Simon Bisley and Chip Zdarsky will run you $9 (around €8.30). There’s also a foil variant, again by Panosian, for $11 (about €10.10).
Will there be a digital version of MAD About DC?
Imagine trying to fold the MAD fold-in on a screen. The specific availability of a digital version hasn’t been formally announced, but given the realities of modern comics distribution (DC Universe Infinite, ComiXology, Kindle, etc.) a digital edition is likely.
Are variant covers worth collecting?
Comic collecting is a bit like investing in art—beauty is in the eye of the beholder (and maybe the future resale value). Variant covers, especially those by Bisley and Zdarsky, could become sought-after collector’s items. The value hinges on print runs, artist popularity, and the fickle tastes of fandom.
Is MAD Magazine still around?
For a while, it seemed like *MAD* had gone completely quiet, retreating into the archives of publishing history. This *MAD About DC* one-shot is a clear sign that the patient is not only alive but ready to wreak havoc. It’s a defiant return for the comedy powerhouse.
Want more Movies & TV news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Will this team-up between *MAD* and DC redefine superhero satire, or will it be a one-off gag destined for the back issue bin?