MAD Logos: Slanted and Enchanted

Chris,
The first appearance of slightly slanted MAD lettering appears to happen with issue #356, April 1997. It corresponded with the so-called “rebirth” of MAD. MAD was going through a transition which included becoming a true monthly, adding some regular features of questionable taste (like Monroe), and adopting an overall different attitude bent on competing with other more controversial sources of humor arising from the likes of Howard Stern. Society's taste (or lack there of) had changed. MAD was due if it wanted to survive.

David Futrelle's April 8, 1997 Salon article supports this view very nicely.