Humbug (magazine)
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Humbug is a humor magazine published from 1957 to 1958. Edited by Harvey Kurtzman, the magazine took satirical jabs at movies, television, advertising and various artifacts of popular culture, from cereal boxes to fashion photographs. Nine of the eleven issues were published in a black-and-white comic book-sized format.
In the first issue of Humbug (August 1957), Jack Davis illustrated Harvey Kurtzman's parody of Elia Kazan's film of Tennessee Williams' Baby Doll (1956). Here is a page from "Doll-Baby" with Davis' caricatures of Karl Malden, Carroll Baker and Eli Wallach. The similarity to an animation walking cycle prompts appearances by animated cartoon characters—Goofy, Farmer Al Falfa and Felix the Cat.
Harvey Kurtzman
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Harvey Kurtzman was an American cartoonist and editor. His best-known work includes writing and editing the parodic comic book Mad from 1952 until 1956, and writing the Little Annie Fanny strips in Playboy from 1962 until 1988. His work is noted for its satire and parody of popular culture, social critique, and attention to detail. Kurtzman's working method has been likened to that of an auteur, and he expected those who illustrated his stories to follow his layouts strictly.
Kurtzman assisted on the Classics Illustrated version of Moby Dick in 1942 as his first assignment at Louis Ferstadt's studio.
Kurtzman worked for EC Comics from 1950 to 1956.
Kurtzman is best known for creating Mad in 1952.