Overview

This biography reveals the true story of Mad creator Harvey Kurtzman--the man who revolutionized humor in America. Harvey Kurtzman created Mad, and Mad revolutionized humor in America. Kurtzman was the original editor, artist, and sole writer of Mad, one of the greatest publishing successes of the twentieth century. But how did Kurtzman invent Mad, and why did he leave it shortly after it burst, nova-like, onto the American scene? For this heavily researched biography, Bill Schelly conducted new interviews with Kurtzman's colleagues, friends, and family, including Hugh Hefner, R. Crumb, Jack Davis, and many others, and examined Kurtzman's personal archives. The result is the true story of one of the twentieth century's greatest humorists. Kurtzman's family life, the details of the FBI's investigation during the McCarthy Era, his legal battles with William M. Gaines (publisher of Mad), are all revealed for the first time. Rich with anecdotes, this book traces Kurtzman's life from his Brooklyn beginnings to his post-Mad years, when his ceaseless creativity produced more innovations: new magazines, a graphic novel, and Little Annie Fanny in Playboy.

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Reviews

"From award-winning comic book historian Bill Schelly, [Harvey Kurtzman] is a thorough, loving chronicle of Kurtzman's life, struggles, art, and influence. I didn't want to place it on the shelves alongside my beloved Mad and EC Comics archives. It made me want to take them off the shelves and sit on the floor surrounded by them, giving every page a fresh look. -- ""Seattle Weekly"" Thoroughly researched...Devoted fans will welcome this exhaustive study. -- ""Library Journal"" With this book, Schelly emerges as a first-rate comics historian, writer, and critic...Schelly's superb marshaling of the bits and pieces of Kurtzmania extant into a highly readable narrative allows one to fully grasp the life and career of the genius behind some of the funniest comics ever made. -- ""The Comics Journal"""

From award-winning comic book historian Bill Schelly, [Harvey Kurtzman] is a thorough, loving chronicle of Kurtzman's life, struggles, art, and influence. I didn't want to place it on the shelves alongside my beloved Mad and EC Comics archives. It made me want to take them off the shelves and sit on the floor surrounded by them, giving every page a fresh look. -- Seattle Weekly Thoroughly researched...Devoted fans will welcome this exhaustive study. -- Library Journal With this book, Schelly emerges as a first-rate comics historian, writer, and critic...Schelly's superb marshaling of the bits and pieces of Kurtzmania extant into a highly readable narrative allows one to fully grasp the life and career of the genius behind some of the funniest comics ever made. -- The Comics Journal

Author Information

Bill Schelly has been immersed in the world of science fiction and comics since the mid-1960s, making his first contributions to the pop culture fringe through his comics fanzine Sense of Wonder. Schelly began meticulously researching the history of comics fandom in the 1990s and has since published many books on the subject. He is currently the associate editor of the Eisner Award-winning magazine Alter Ego. His recent books include The American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s and Harvey Kurtzman, The Man Who Created Mad. Terry Gilliam was a lifelong (so far) member of Monty Python. Jim Meskimen is a stage, film, and television actor who has appeared in many well-known movies and television shows. He acted in Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon for director Ron Howard, both of which were nominated for Best Picture Oscars. His television appearances include The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, and Parks and Recreation. He is also a painter, award-winning audiobook narrator, and audiobook director for Galaxy Audio.

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