Tragic Cover Changes?


Robert F. Kennedy was shot June 5th, 1968 and died the next day.
Mad had a cover ready to go featuring Alfred, pin in hand,
ready to burst the balloons of the 1968 presidential candidates pictured below.
RFK was to be featured, but the assassination
forced Mad to insert Alfred into RFK's place.
Mad #122 published front cover originally intended Mad #122
Mad #122 published front cover Mad #122 courtesy of Steve Kuhn
One other note:
This is one of the few Mad covers illustrated by two artists,
Norman Mingo and Mort Drucker.



With Operation Desert Storm commencing January 17, 1991, Mad took the high road,
deciding not to run a cover of George H. W. Bush lighting up the American flag.
Thanks to José for reminding me of this.
Mad #300 published front cover Mad #300 planned prior to the First Gulf War
Mad #300
published front cover
Mad #300
planned prior to the First Gulf War


Before the events of September 11, 2001,
Mad had planned a completely different cover for issue #411.
Thanks to Mike Slaubaugh and Dave Williams for the information.
Mad #411 in response to the tragedy Mad #411 planned prior to the tragedy
Mad #411
in response to the tragedy
Mad #411
planned prior to the tragedy
Not a cover, but interesting nonetheless, is MAD's choice to alter this article from the original in #38 to the reprint in Trash #2. (thanks Raj)
Mad #38 / Trash #2 -- Mike Todd