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MAD Magazine #44, from January 1959, is a classic issue from a key period in the magazine's history. It showcases the magazine's sharp wit and its roster of legendary artists and writers.

Here are some of the notable contents and features of this issue:

• Cover: The cover art was done by Kelly Freas.

• "MAD's M.V.B.T.A. Awards": This article, with a script by Larry Siegel and art by George Woodbridge, satirizes the world of baseball by giving acting awards to players for their on-field dramatics.

• "The End of Comics": A piece by writer Tom Koch and artist Wally Wood that humorously speculates on what the last comic strips would be like if newspapers were forced to drop them in favor of more educational content.

• "If Hollywood Directors Staged Advertising Photos": This satirical article by Wally Wood and Frank Jacobs parodies ads by re-imagining them in the distinct styles of famous directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Cecil B. DeMille.

• Recurring Features: The issue is filled with work from the magazine's core group of contributors, including:

  • Don Martin's unique and absurd cartoons.

  • Dave Berg's "Pushcarts," a humorous look at merchandising.

  • "The New Baby," a song parody illustrated by Wally Wood.

MAD #44 provides a great look at the magazine's approach to humor in the late 1950s, tackling everything from sports and pop culture to everyday life with its signature blend of cynicism and absurdity.

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