EC Comics Mad magazine guru AL FELDSTEIN has died in Montana at age 88.
Feldstein who was noted for his sci-fi/ horror covers for the EC Comics including "Tales From the Crypt" and "Weird Science" which ceased publication in the 1950s due to a publishing witch hunt, He took over the editorial duties of a fledgling Mad magazine after original editor Harvey Kurtzman left.
Feldstein oversaw the change from comic book to magazine format Mad under the aegis of publisher William Gaines.
He edited Mad for over 30 years developing such features as Spy vs Spy and the development of movie/Tv and advertising satires and for branding Alfred E. Neuman, the "What, Me Worry?" kid as the mag’s corporate identity.
The MAD Magazine elaborated on their website: Feldstein replaced Kurtzman as editor, he decided to link "Alfred E. Neuman" with the face of the idiot kid. The idiot kid made his official debut in 1956 as a write-in candidate for President on the cover of MAD #30, and the magazine now had an official mascot and cover boy. In the next issue, Alfred made his second cover appearance pictured as an addition to Mount Rushmore.
Feldstein’s first gig in comics as a teenager was drawing background foliage for "Sheena, Queen of the Jungle" for Fiction House.
"Then I got a great promotion," he said in an interview. "I was drawing leopard spots on her groin and breasts."
Feldstein lived a low-key existence in Paradise Valley, Montana for more than two decades, his wife Michelle told media.
During his retirement, Al painted western art, and revisited his iconic science fiction comics covers in oils for his legion of adoring fans, and rescued animals.
No services are planned.
Adios, amigo.
