Knallend gek #8

Sergio Aragonés: Knallend Gek

"Sergio Aragonés: Knallend Gek" (Sergio Aragonés: Blazing/Cracking Crazy) is the eighth Dutch paperback collection from MAD Magazine, entirely dedicated to the rapid-fire, wordless humor of the legendary cartoonist Sergio Aragonés. Aragonés is renowned for his incredibly detailed and frantic marginal drawings, as well as his full-page gags that require no dialogue to deliver a punchline. This volume celebrates his distinctive style, characterized by a constant flurry of motion, unexpected twists, and a keen eye for the absurdities of everyday life.

The front cover immediately sets the tone with a classic self-caricature of Sergio Aragonés, depicted as a quick-drawing gunslinger. He's armed with drawing tools—pencils, pens, and brushes—instead of traditional firearms, emphasizing his lightning-fast artistic output. The bullet holes scattered around him humorously suggest the explosive impact of his cartoons, a visual pun on the "Knallend" (blazing/cracking) part of the title. This cover effectively encapsulates Aragonés's persona as a prolific and impactful artist.

The back cover further highlights Aragonés's unique comedic approach. It introduces him as "DE SNELSTE LIJNENTREKKER IN 'T PESTEN..." (THE FASTEST LINE-DRAWER IN HARASSMENT/TEASING...), underscoring his speed and mischievous humor. The text continues with a series of actions attributed to him: "...MIKT OP JE LACHSPIEREN" (...AIMS AT YOUR LAUGH MUSCLES), "...SCHIET ONDER DE GORDEL" (...SHOOTS BELOW THE BELT), "...EN TREFT JE HART-VERSCHEUREND MET..." (...AND HITS YOU HEART-BREAKINGLY WITH...). This playful description promises a collection of gags that will hit hard, both literally and figuratively, making readers laugh uncontrollably. The chaotic scene of small, dynamic figures on the back cover is typical of Aragonés's style, showing a multitude of miniature actions and reactions that often overflow the margins of MAD Magazine. The tagline "LAAT JE RAKEN (IN JE PORTEMONNEE) ...DOOR DEZE ZWAAR KALIBER PAGINA'S (En Je Sterft Van 't Lachen In Het Harnas!)" (LET YOURSELF BE HIT (IN YOUR WALLET) ...BY THESE HEAVY CALIBER PAGES (And You'll Die Laughing In Your Harness!)) cleverly encourages purchase by promising an overwhelming dose of laughter.

Price (Original):

• f. 4,95 (Dutch Guilders)
• BF. 85 (Belgian Francs)