Harvey Kurtzman

Kurtzman bubble pipe

Harvey Kurtzman (October 3, 1924 – February 21, 1993) was an American cartoonist and editor, best known for his work as the founding editor of Mad. Kurtzman was a significant figure in the development of comic books and satire in the United States.

Early Life

Kurtzman was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He showed an early interest in cartooning and attended the High School of Music & Art in New York. After graduating, he worked on various comic book projects during the Golden Age of Comic Books.

Career

Early Work

Kurtzman began his professional career in the early 1940s, contributing to various comic book publishers. He worked on titles such as Hey Look! for Timely Comics, the predecessor of Marvel Comics.

EC Comics

In the early 1950s, Kurtzman joined EC Comics, where he created and edited several influential titles. He is best known for his work on Mad, which he founded in 1952. Under his editorship, Mad became a groundbreaking publication that satirized popular culture, politics, and other aspects of society.

Mad Magazine

Kurtzman's tenure at Mad was marked by his meticulous attention to detail and his insistence on high-quality artwork and writing. He worked with a talented group of artists and writers, including Will Elder, Jack Davis, and Wally Wood. Kurtzman's influence on Mad set the tone for the magazine's irreverent and subversive style.

Post-Mad Career

After leaving Mad in 1956, Kurtzman created several other notable publications, including Trump, Humbug, and Help!. Although these magazines were not as commercially successful as Mad, they were critically acclaimed and showcased Kurtzman's innovative approach to comics and satire.

Later Work and Legacy

In his later years, Kurtzman continued to work in comics and illustration. He taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York and influenced a new generation of cartoonists. Kurtzman's contributions to the field of comics have been widely recognized, and he has been inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

Kurtzman was married to Adele Hasan, and they had three children. He passed away in 1993 in Mount Vernon, New York.

Influence and Recognition

Kurtzman's work has had a lasting impact on comics and satire. He is remembered as a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of the medium and inspired countless artists and writers.

See Also

• Mad (magazine)
• EC Comics
• Will Elder
• Jack Davis (cartoonist)
• Wally Wood
• School of Visual Arts
• Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame