Al Jaffee R.I.P. 102 0

[LDarkseid1]

Jaffee began his career in 1942, working as a comic-book artist for several publications, including Joker Comics, in which he was first published in December 1942,^[6] and continuing in other comics published by Timely Comics and Atlas Comics, the 1940s and 1950s precursors, respectively, of Marvel Comics. While working alongside future Mad cartoonist Dave Berg, Jaffee created several humor features for Timely, including "Inferior Man" and "Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal".^[19]

Jaffee originally considered himself strictly an artist until he was disabused of the notion by editors and art directors who were reviewing his portfolio. "When prospective clients laughed and asked 'Who wrote the gag?' my response was 'I did, sir.' Which was very confusing since I didn't realize any writing had taken place. I mean, writers used typewriters, smoked pipes, wore scarves, right? When enough of them said, 'Oh, then you're a writer too,' I took their word for it. Who was I to argue with prospective employers?"^[20]

During World War II, he worked as an artist for the military in various capabilities. His work included the original floor plan for the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. During this time, he took advantage of the military's free name change service, first to "Alvin Jaffe" by mistake, then to "Allan Jaffee".^[3] While working at the Pentagon, he met Ruth Ahlquist, whom he married in 1945.^{[citation needed]}

In 1946, Jaffee returned to civilian life, working for Stan Lee again. For approximately a year and a half in the late 1940s, Jaffee was editing Timely's humor and teenage comics, including the Patsy Walker line.^[21]

Jaffee recalled in a 2004 interview,

I created Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal from scratch. [editor-in-chief] Stan [Lee] said to me, "Create an animated-type character. Something different, something new." I searched around and thought, "I've never seen anyone do anything about a seal," so I made him the lead character. So I created "Silly Seal". One day, Stan said to me, "Why don't you give him a little friend of some sort?" I had already created Ziggy Pig, who had his own little feature, so it was quite easy to combine them into one series. I said, "How about Ziggy Pig?" Stan said, "Okay!" I should add that, while I created Ziggy Pig, it was Stan who named him.^[22]

Edited April 11, 2023 by LDarkseid1

[Robot Man]

Al and Elder in high school in 1936. Jokers even back then…

[LDarkseid1]

On 4/11/2023 at 11:31 AM, Robot Man said:

Al and Elder in high school in 1936. Jokers even back then…

Oh wow, yeah the signs were pointing to an illustrious career with MAD early on

[*paull*]

Bon voyage, Al!  His fold-ins are a national treasure.  A brilliant way of extending the form and requiring the reader to participate in the reveal.  What an artist.  We were lucky to have him this long.

Edited April 11, 2023 by *paull*

[LDarkseid1]

On 4/11/2023 at 12:53 PM, *paull* said:

Bon voyage, Al!  His fold-ins are a national treasure.  A brilliant way of extending the form and requiring the reader to participate in the reveal.  What an artist.  We were lucky to have him this long.

Not many legendary creators left 😔

[Sarg]

One of the greats. RIP.

[Frisco Larson]

He was a man who didn't get NEARLY enough credit for all of his contributions to the field of comics and magazines. I HAVE heard Stan mention his name in interviews though and that always made me happy. From a day when almost no comic line gave credit to any of the creators, Al had a big hand in Timely Comics funny animal line of humor mags. GCD lists him with a question mark (best guess, I suppose) by many of the Timely funny animal stories (Ziggy Pig & Silly Seal and such). He DID help create many of those characters and should be remembered for his early work, as well as all of his accomplishments at MAD. RIP Sir ... you've had quite an adventure. 

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

While I thought the fold in was brilliant it was his "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions" that my brother and I really loved. Reading those books gave me an appreciation for that type of humor and would get me in trouble as a younger man when I didn't have as much of a filter as these days.

Now I may think of those retorts but often think twice before saying them though the temptation is great. I hope as an elder man someday that filter goes away again and I'll let some witty retorts fly!!

[Robot Man]

On 4/12/2023 at 12:00 AM, 50YrsCollctngCmcs said:

While I thought the fold in was brilliant it was his "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions" that my brother and I really loved. Reading those books gave me an appreciation for that type of humor and would get me in trouble as a younger man when I didn't have as much of a filter as these days.

Now I may think of those retorts but often think twice before saying them though the temptation is great. I hope as an elder man someday that filter goes away again and I'll let some witty retorts fly!!

The older I get, the less filter I have. I have however, due to experience, learned to judge the situation before I speak.

I was in the crowded post office recently and an irritated older woman was complaining and grumbling about the line. I finally turned to her and said: “Why don’t you just go in front of me. You obviously have less time to live than I do” Her face was priceless and a number of people behind us started laughing.

Jaffee would have been one of those people. 

[fishbone]

Loved his work  with MAD .  RIP  !!

[pemart1966]

On 4/11/2023 at 3:25 PM, LDarkseid1 said:

Oh wow, yeah the signs were pointing to an illustrious career with MAD early on

Already "I d. i. o. t. s". 

They would have been 15 or so when that photo was taken.

Edited April 13, 2023 by pemart1966