DC hands the keys to MAD, and lets Chip Zdarsky roast the entire universe
On April 1, DC lets MAD off the leash, and the DC Universe may never recover.
DC is leaning fully into chaos this spring with MAD About DC , a 64-page one-shot hitting shelves on April 1, 2026. Yes, that April 1—and no, it’s not a joke… though appointing Chip Zdarsky as guest editor might raise some eyebrows inside the DC offices.
“They say at DC there’s nowhere to go but down after writing Batman, and, yeah, it’s true,” Zdarsky said. “It’s very true.”
Designed as a full-throated celebration of classic MAD Magazine satire, MAD About DC assembles an all-star lineup of writers and artists to parody, skewer, and gleefully dismantle the DC Universe. Nothing—and no one—is safe, as beloved heroes and iconic tropes are twisted into lovingly irreverent absurdity.
DC Editor-in-Chief Marie Javins praised the project’s fearless tone, saying, “This project embraces the spirit of MAD Magazine in the best possible way. MAD has a long tradition of sharp, fearless satire, poking fun at everything, including DC, with real wit and craft. When Chip pitched a project that would roast the DC Universe, it was clear he could assemble the right team. These creators know our characters inside and out, which is why they can twist them in ways that feel both surprising and smart. That kind of playful irreverence is what MAD does best.”
Inside MAD About DC, readers will find:
- Sergio Aragonés with “A MAD Look at Comic Book Stores”
- Jim Zub & Ramon Perez teaming for “Guy vs. Spy”
- A brand-new DC Fold-In by Charles Soule & Ryan Browne
- A parade of MAD-style parodies skewering the DC comic books you love, and a few you’ve always hated anyway, from Kyle Starks, Dave Johnson, Tini Howard, Mattie Lubchansky, Mark Waid, Ty Templeton, Rainbow Rowell, Vita Ayala, M.L. Sanapo, Mark Russell, Steve Lieber, Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Gerry Duggan, Scott Aukerman, Mitch Gerads, Joanne Starer, Joe Quinones, Scott Snyder, Josh Williamson, Deniz Camp, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Joe Kelly, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Mariko Tamaki, Riley Rossmo, Al Ewing, PJ Holden, Shannon Wheeler, Leah Williams, Isaac Goodhart, Cody Ziglar, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Daniel Kibblesmith, Brandt&Stein, Casey Gilly, J. Bone, Skottie Young, Andrew Wheeler, Stephen Byrne, Colleen Coover, Benjamin Errett, Matt Fraction, Kagan McLeod, Lee Gatlin, Joseph Starkey, Graham Roumieu…and more?!
Whether you’re a longtime MAD devotee, a DC superfan, or just someone who enjoys watching talented creators make delightfully questionable decisions, MAD About DC promises a no-holds-barred comedy special that gleefully tramples sacred ground.
Étonnant.
Jim
LOOK, IT’S NOT FARTACULAR BUT THEN AGAIN WHAT IS?
Chip Zdarsky is a funny guy. Remember when he made that whole April Fools’ gag comic with rub ‹ n › smell farts? Oh, wait, that was me, DC Comics E-I-C Marie Javins. Chip was the one saying, I’d turn back if I were you, but he couldn’t stop me. Editors are a self-destructive lot. Which is why this year, I said, I give up, you do it, Chip, you are so much funnier and prettier and also better with cats than I am. And look, he went and did it. Chip demoted himself to editor. Chip is turning the DC universe on its ear and bringing you savage mockery of all we hold dear, and he is assisted in this brutal task by Matt Fraction, Gail Simone, Skottie Young, and many, many more. Next year? Back to farts.
Includes MAD favorite Sergio Aragones with A MAD Look at Comic Book Stores, Guy vs. Spy by Jim Zub and Ramon Perez, and a DC Fold-In by Charles Soule and Ryan Browne. Plus a slew of MAD-style parodies of all DC Comics you hold dear, and some you’ve always hated anyway. MAD About DC #1 will fulfill your every comic book dream, or at least three or four of them.
Writer: The Usual Gang Of Comic Book Creators Who Needed The Extra Money
Artist: The Usual Gang Of Comic Book Creators Who Needed The Extra Money
Cover Artist: Dan Panosian, Simon Bisley, Chip Zdarsky
