The MAD Jock Book Paperback Cover 1983

Jack Davis, the great cartoonist, made this paperback cover for The Mad Jock Book with ink, probably some watercolours, and a whole lot of humour. Look at the way he's got the iconic Alfred E. Neuman, all goofy and grinning, ready to fling that Frizbee! I'm imagining Davis at his drawing board, chuckling to himself as he exaggerates every feature – the ears, the gap-toothed smile, that wild stance. There's a real joy in the line work here, like he’s not just drawing a picture, but creating a whole persona. It reminds me a bit of those old caricature artists, but with a subversive Mad Magazine twist. It's funny how a few simple lines and washes can communicate so much personality. The way he's used the ink to create a sense of movement, you can almost feel the disc whizzing through the air. Davis’ work always makes me think about how we see ourselves, and how artists can bend reality to find the funny side of things.