The Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) will present “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine,” an exhibition exploring the iconic publication’s satirical history from its comic book origins to its status as a cultural force. Opening November 21, 2025, and running through March 1, 2026, the exhibition will feature over 150 original artworks, including illustrations, cartoons, and memorabilia from beloved MAD features and artists.

Organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum and co-curated by Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and satirical illustrator Steve Brodner, the exhibition promises to showcase MAD’s signature blend of visual humor and sharp cultural commentary. Visitors can expect to see works by notable artists such as Mort Drucker, Sergio Aragonés, and Al Jaffee, alongside ephemera that traces the magazine’s evolution from its 1952 debut as an EC comic book to its reimagining as a magazine in 1955, which allowed it to bypass the Comics Code Authority.

“What, Me Worry?” aims to offer visitors a trip down memory lane, celebrating MAD’s role in critiquing societal norms and historical moments through laughter. The exhibition will be housed in the museum’s Western & Southern galleries, with tickets priced at $12, offering discounts for students, children, and seniors. Free admission will be available for museum members and on select Thursday evenings and during Art After Dark events. The Cincinnati Art Museum, which boasts a collection of over 73,000 works, encourages visitors to use the hashtag #MADATCAM on social media.

Source: https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/media/2v4n2qpb/mad-magazine-exhibition-at-cincinnati-art-museum_final-2.pdf