MAD About Star Wars: Thirty Years of Classic Parodies

by Jonathan Bresman

A long time ago (thirty years) in a galaxy far, far away (California) . . .

It is a period steeped in cinematic lore. Rebel filmmaker George Lucas, striking from a base in Northern California, won a tremendous box office victory against all odds with Star Wars, his sci-fi spectacular.

During the ensuing craze, MAD's "Usual Gang of Idiots" managed to steal a few laughs at the movie's expense, soon discovering that Star Wars was the ultimate pop culture punching bag.

Pursuing each Star Wars film's release with more mockery, the MAD men spent the next three decades making a farce of the Force and spreading mirth across the galaxy.

Now, in this special edition volume, you'll chuckle as the Star Wars saga's greatest moments are mocked by such MAD greats as Dick DeBartolo, Mort Drucker, Don Martin, and Sergio Aragones; smirk as the striking similarities between the space battles created by Industrial Light & Magic and by the "Usual Gang of Idiots" are revealed; hum along to the unforgettable Star Wars musical, as penned by MAD's master lyricist, Frank Jacobs; gasp at the startling insights into R2-D2's love life; and marvel at the real reason why Lucas's lawyers never sued MAD.

And that's just the beginning. . . .

So, pick up this book and see why, when Star Wars gets the MAD treatment . . . Sith happens! It is your destiny.

Genres: Humor, Star Wars, Graphic Novels, Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2007

Reviews

[Mauoijenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mad & Star Wars combined = AWESOMENESS in my book!!

[Read Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a child, I would find a Mad Magazine in my Christmas stocking. Oh, to get this book as a Christmas gift instantly made me feel like that young kid again.

A nice collection of Star Wars related Mad Magazine material. All of it acts as a time capsule of events current to the specific current events. The side bar information regarding facts outside of the magazine add to the overall value of this book. You'll have a good feeling about this.

Have a GoodReads.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot how much I love MAD. And it was nice to see all of the old parodies that I missed the first time around. It's always good when you're giggling out loud at a book. My favorite was the real letter from George Lucas--priceless!

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love MAD (back when Bill Gaines was alive and the magazine was funny) and I love Star Wars. So MAD + Star Wars? GOLD!

[Sujith Philipose · Rating 3 out of 5]

HeHe :)

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s all here: every Star Wars parody -- the original trilogy, the sequels and the prequels. There’s even a letter from George Lucas complimenting the MAD’s writers.

[Jaime K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything from MAD magazine. However, knowing even the single small detail about their parodic nature, I knew what I was getting myself into. So did some things offend me a bit? Sure, but I expected it, and they make fun of everyone and everything. It does irk me that they were upset that someone actually LIKED one of their covers when they were making fun of that person, but are mostly okay that George Lucas likes (or doesn't like) some of the jokes aimed at him.

Anyway.

I enjoyed this compilation, especially the side notes/annotations with extra info and images to bring the panels from '77 to '05 to the modern knowledge as of the time of this publishing in 2007. It is interesting that there was nothing important enough to add to this (I'm sure they had SW bits but they chose the best, of course) between '85 and '97. THAT tells me even more about MAD: they do their utmost best to stay current.

[Kurt Zisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of MAD's Star Wars parodies from the original trilogy to the prequel trilogy. Great art work with perfectly complimentary gags and rips. Each piece is a time capsule onto its era, as the writers / artists pull in rip roaring pop culture references. At points Mad is almost clairvoyant as they pull in many Disney related gags to the Star Wars spoofs well before the purchase of Lucasfilm. Highly recommended to any fan of MAD Magazine and Star Wars. Will make you nostalgic for the publication.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like everything from MAD Magazine, this varies wildly in quality and appropriateness. Some of it is knee-slapping funny. Some of it is gross and some of it is very dated. Sometimes all this in one panel! I especially like Sergei Aragones' works, including the tiny drawings in the margins.