Harvey Kurtzman. You may or may not recognize the name, but he’s best known as the creator of MAD magazine. However, his contributions to the comic book industry go far beyond that.
The new documentary The MAD World of Harvey Kurtzman, directed by Bart Simpson (Brasília: Life After Design), gives us a fascinating look into the life and career of one of the most influential creators in comic book history.
Simpson brings together an impressive collection of interviews, including Kurtzman’s wife and two of his daughters, publisher and former underground cartoonist Denis Kitchen, who represents Kurtzman’s estate, legendary cartoonist Sergio Aragonés, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and Maus creator Art Spiegelman.
I found this documentary fascinating and captivating. There were so many things about Kurtzman that I never knew.
For example, Kurtzman wrote war stories for EC Comics, but unlike many other war comics of the time, his stories weren’t about glorifying war. Instead, they showed its horrors, including innocent victims and the aftermath of battle.
What made this even more interesting was the amount of research Kurtzman put into these stories. He wanted to make sure he got the facts right.
Then there’s MAD, which Kurtzman created with the idea of having fun, not taking everything so seriously, and finding humor in the world around us.
But the thing that really blew my mind was learning that journalist and social activist Gloria Steinem and director and former Monty Python member Terry Gilliam both worked as assistants to Kurtzman.
I mean, wow!
And in Gilliam’s case, Kurtzman was a major influence on his animation style.
The documentary really digs into Kurtzman’s life, featuring interviews with family members, colleagues, employees, and people whose careers he influenced. We’re also treated to a wealth of Kurtzman’s original artwork and drawings, allowing us to see firsthand just how talented he was.
What makes this documentary so compelling is that it doesn’t just tell us about Kurtzman’s accomplishments. It gives us a real appreciation for the man behind the work and the impact he had on so many people.
After watching this, I genuinely want to learn more about Harvey Kurtzman. He was so much more than just the man who created MAD.
If there’s one thing I felt was missing, it was any mention of the Harvey Awards, which were named in his honor and recognize achievements in the comic book industry. It’s not a major issue, but considering Kurtzman’s importance to comics, I was surprised they weren’t mentioned.
Still, I highly recommend The MAD World of Harvey Kurtzman. This isn’t just a documentary for comic book fans. I believe anyone can appreciate this well-crafted film and the story of a man whose influence reached far beyond the pages of comic books.
The MAD World of Harvey Kurtzman will have its North American premiere in New York City with two screenings:
- Friday, November 13, 2026, at 8:45 PM — IFC Center
- Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 8:55 PM — Village East by Angelika
Newsdesk