MAD About Star Wars: Thirty Years of Classic Parodies

This was my first time reading anything from MAD magazine. However, knowing even the single small detail about their parodic nature, I knew what I was getting myself into. So did some things offend me a bit? Sure, but I expected it, and they make fun of everyone and everything. It does irk me that they were upset that someone actually LIKED one of their covers when they were making fun of that person, but are mostly okay that George Lucas likes (or doesn't like) some of the jokes aimed at him.Anyway.I enjoyed this compilation, especially the side notes/annotations with extra info and images to bring the panels from '77 to '05 to the modern knowledge as of the time of this publishing in 2007. It is interesting that there was nothing important enough to add to this (I'm sure they had SW bits but they chose the best, of course) between '85 and '97. THAT tells me even more about MAD: they do their utmost best to stay current.

The cover says it all... this book contains thirty years of "Star Wars"-related parodies from the pages of MAD, and if you're a fan of either the movies or the magazine, you're in for a treat.One of the best things about this book is that the writers aren't afraid to really go after George Lucas and the stars of the films; they repeatedly take sharp jabs at Lucas's greed, the stiff acting, the merchandising run amok, etc. In contrast, many recent, high-profile "Star Wars" parodies in other media (i.e., "Family Guy," "Robot Chicken") have tended to have fun with the characters and specific scenes while being careful not to insult Lucas personally, probably out of fear of angering him. Ironically, Lucas doesn't seem to mind MAD's material at all; in fact, he's actually sent fan letters to MAD (which are included in this book), and he even wrote the book's introduction!However, as the editor points out in several of the entertaining trivia pieces that accompany the articles, there was a good deal of repetition in MAD's "Star Wars" pieces over the years, and as a result, "MAD About Star Wars" can wear kind of thin if you try to read too much in one sitting. It's best to enjoy it a bit at a time.It's great to have so much "Star Wars" humor together in one place, including parodies of all six movies, "Star Wars"-themed Fold-ins, and even a spoof of the "Star Wars" postage stamps. So go ahead and check it out, and may the farce be with you!

I bought this book as a present for a friend, and I was very tempted to keep it for myself. MAD humor might not be for everyone, and the jokes worked most of the time, except when they didn't (as was to be expected). What I hadn't expected at all was to find the book full of historical information, anecdotes, and other real-world stuff that helped place all the original jokes within the larger context of the Star Wars sub-culture and pop culture in general. Trying not to give anything away from the book, let's just say that at times reality surpassed fiction, and even MAD humor!I do remember reading some of the original jokes more than 20 years ago, and I distinctly recall some of them being in color. I was disappointed to see many of them reproduced in black and white in this book -and in a somewhat smaller format. It's a minor fault, and I would have given this book five stars had I not seen the original material already. Overall, this is a good book, and it's definitely great for Star Wars fans of any level.

If you are a Star Wars nut, buy this book. If you are a MAD nut, buy this book! A collection of everything do to with Star Wars that was ever published in MAD magazine. What more is there to say? The notes in the margins are almost the best bit, with lots of Star Wars trivia and such that I never knew about, with some great links to the Web. The only very, very slight grumble I have is that the comics and cartoons are printed a bit smaller than the originals, which make it more difficult to read for oldies like me! This is a must have book though, whatever kind of nut you are.

It was beyond time that the Star Trek grandson was introduced to AEN.

The art was the only thing I liked. The jokes were flat. If some things were funny and some things weren't that would be ok. But all of that dialogue and nothing interesting or funny just killed it for me. I wanted a Star Wars themed Mad Magazine book. And I got it. I was very disappointed.

Loved this collection. This is a nice collection of vintage strips, fold-ins, covers, ads, etc. from MAD magazine over the years focusing on Star Wars (thru Revenge of the Sith). From a long time Star Wars fan, and comic book fan, this book is highly recommended. A+

Funny and. Must have for any star wars fan

Perfect stocking stuffer for my son

Love this book

If you love MAD magazine and Star Wars ...then this great collection of the best of MAD magazines' satires on Star Wars over the past 40 years, along with other commentaries and factors together, making this book a highly recommended purchase!!!

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Funny and informative