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