Mads Spy vs. Spy Follow-Up File

by Antonio Prohías

Vintage paperback

Genres: Humor, Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Strips

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1968

Reviews

[Rich Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Spy vs. Spy collection. One of the great things about these paperbacks is that since each page is a panel in a gag strip (or a solo gag), you really get to see and enjoy the artistry and draftsmanship skills of Antonio Prohias.

While the sensibilities of the strip are a bit dated, the humor is not. Prohias is one of those Rube Goldberg-esque masters when it comes to pacing his work. Always a great read!

[Chuck White · Rating 3 out of 5]

In one of my "cleaning out the old" phases and thought I would reread the MAD paperback collections I have from childhood.

I loved SPY VS. SPY as a kid, but they are definitely meant for the juvenile set. At this point, the best they are is charming.

But still, every kid should read MAD growing up.

[Jesse Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulled this out of an old box while cleaning. Definitely a comic strip for adolescents but as an adult I can truly appreciate the comedic timing mastery of Antonio Prohias. Every panel flows seamlessly. In a single panel Prohias manages to trigger a gag while setting up the next gag. It's artistry.

[Robert Bussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love wordless novels. Since they rely on just pictures instead of words to convey the story and produce emotions their level of visual creativity can be amazing.

The Spy vs. Spy stories have always been the highlight of MAD magazine for me. MAD can be funny, but can also be overly snarky and waaaaay to wordy. However, the Spy vs Spy stories seem simple, but speak loudly with their brand of humor. The simple black and white art work is beautiful and effective.

Highly recommended.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Immensely nostalgic, as well as still deeply funny.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in a small western town in California. As a kid, I loved comic books and MAD Magazine. I always looked forward to when I could bike over to the local drug store and peruse the comic rack and look for the newest MAD Magazine. After buying my stock of goodies, I would sit on the curb outside the store reading the magazine while I ate a candy bar and drank a soda. One of my favorite things in MAD Magazine was Spy vs Spy by Antonio Prohais. I loved these two funny spies, Black and White, that were always trying to outdo one another. Their antics would always make me laugh and wonder how I could become a spy.

As always, the artwork in this book by Antonio Prohias is wonderful and the stories are easy to follow. With no dialog, this book is a quick read. Spy vs Spy books can easily be read multiple times, and you will always find something that you missed.

So, if you are looking for a hilarious time, pick up a copy of Spy vs Spy: Masters of Mayhem and be ready to take a walk on the absurd side. May the best spy win!

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tit-for-tat action/reaction of the Cold War has never been lampooned in a better way than in the “Spy vs Spy” continuing saga that appeared in “Mad Magazine.” Two otherwise identical individuals, one wearing black and the other white engage in deceptive machinations until one meets with am excessively violent end.
Gadgets, bombs and other deadly instruments are used in the “games” played between these two protagonists. Every gag is a sight gag, for not a word is spoken. All of the information the reader needs to understand the actions must be via the images. Reading through this book, you are impressed at the creativity of the artists in their use of non-verbal communication skills.
Much of the humor that appeared in “Mad Magazine” loses its impact over the years due to it being based on the events of the time of first appearance. That is not the case with “Spy vs. Spy,” that material is timeless.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most things that were satisfying as a child are not satisfying as an adult. There is a delightful exception in "Spy vs Spy," the long running page of mayhem in MAD magazine. These vignettes are so expertly conceived, crafted, and executed (pun not intended) that my adult self is in awe of how smart and well done these are. The only real flaw is the format of putting these comic strips into a one panel per page book. The marvelous flow and rhythm of the stories cannot be seen in this format.

I only give 5 stars to book of substance, and that is the only reason this one does not receive 5 stars.

[Arnela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's spy s. spy what can I really say. They're silly and they keep finding new ways to do each other in. It's a really quick rad as always since there's only pictures to go through. I think my only issue is that each page is a still image from a larger comic, so it feels like you're taking the story one very slow step at a time. And while on one hand I love larger versions of the pictures cause you can see all the details more clearly it does make the flow of the specific set of actions feel very choppy.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

These little episodes are told in pictures - no words - some onomatopoeia.

These are not intended for small children but they are perfect for small children because the clever and intricate plots of the spies (which fail and succeed in unexpected ways) are stimulating, funny, and addictive.

Years later I found out that Antonio Prohias was a provocative Cuban artist who would alternately please and piss-off Fidel Castro. Interesting.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how many times I've "read" this book over the past 50 years. Prohias was an amazing storyteller, even when there are no words to read. His artistic style is unlike anyone else's; so unique and so imaginative. Do your kids a favor and buy them any Spy vs. Spy book instead of that Harry Potter crap. They'll thank you for it for the rest of their lives.

[William Swafford]

I have a copy of this book from 1968 and it was sold for $.60

[Lorelei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel sure I would have loved this when I was younger. It was fun, a nice stroll down memory lane.

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

эту я читал когда-то в детстве, вспомнил для коллекции. она жила дома у моего школьного друга и выносила мозг

[FranklinTV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its standard Spy vs Spy fare - - not laugh out loud, just mildly amusing.