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Al Jaffee Sets a New World Record

 

By Leticia Cobas 98-year-old cartoonist Al Jaffee, whose work has appeared in every issue of MAD magazine save one, is perhaps best known for inventing the “fold-in” -- the publication’s back cover feature which reveals a surprise message and image once the page is folded. In 2016, Jaffee made history when he was recognized as the cartoonist with the longest active career, which landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records. Jaffee’s career as a cartoonist spans over 75 years, 60 years working for MAD. Jaffe’s two best-known comics series, “MAD’s Fold-In” (1964) and “Snappy Answers To Stupid Questions” (1965) are among the oldest continuous features in MAD.  In 2017, Jaffee made one of his iconic Fold-Ins about President Trump’s approach to health care. The cartoonist asks: “Who stands to benefit most from Trumpcare?” Once the image of the traumatizing hospital scene is folded-in, it reveals a casket with the answer, “Funeral directors.” Jaffee began satirizing political candidates in MAD’s pages in the 1960s and has illustrated almost 500 fold-ins.