Legendary Mad magazine cartoonist Al Jaffee, who passed away at the age of 102, will be honored with a unique tombstone that reflects his iconic sense of humor. According to sources close to the family, Jaffee’s final request was to have his tombstone in the shape of a “fold-in,” the popular back-cover feature that he created for the magazine.
“Al was always ahead of the curve when it came to satire and humor, and he wanted his tombstone to reflect that,” said a family member who wished to remain anonymous. “He thought it would be a fitting tribute to have a fold-in that people could interact with, just like they did with his Mad magazine work.”
The fold-in tombstone will reportedly feature a cartoon drawing of Jaffee and a hidden message that can be revealed by folding the image in a certain way. The message is said to be a classic Jaffee-style punchline that will leave visitors chuckling and remembering his unique wit.
Colleagues and fans of Jaffee have praised the idea, calling it a fitting tribute to the iconic cartoonist.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor Al’s legacy than with a tombstone that reflects his trademark humor and creativity,” said longtime Mad editor John Ficarra. “It’s just like Al to think outside the box and come up with a hilarious and memorable idea like this.”
Jaffee’s fold-in tombstone is expected to be unveiled at a private ceremony for family and close friends. The family has not yet announced whether they plan to make the tombstone available for public viewing or create a virtual version that fans can fold in on their devices.
Regardless, Jaffee’s legacy as a pioneer of satire and humor will continue to live on through his many fans and admirers, and now, his unique tombstone.
