Spy vs Spy:

Masters of Mayhem

by
Antonio Prohias

Watson-Guptill, August 2009, 192 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-8230-5051-2

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Spy / Humor
Reviewed: 10/26/2009

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Comic Page

Synopsis

Spy vs Spy: Masters of Mayhem contains a collection of MAD Magazine's Spy vs Spy comics by Antonio Prohias. This book includes cartoons the were originally published in MAD's Spy vs Spy Follow-Up File in 1968 by Signet Books. The cartoons have appeared in black and white in each monthly installment of MAD Magazine since 1960 until he died in 1986. Today, the comic strip continues in MAD and is written and illustrated by Peter Kuper. This collection contains the 18 untitled stories.

"'Spy vs Spy' was the brainchild of Cuban-born political cartoonist Antonio Prohias, who fled his country after receiving death threats from Fidel Castro. Prohias settled in America, and in 1960 he began a 26-year run of Spy misadventures in MAD Magazine. This book by Prohias, long out of print, showcases his genius as an artist, storyteller, and graphic designer."

Review

I grew up in a small western town in California. As a kid, I loved comic books and MAD Magazine. I always looked forward to when I could bike over to the local drug store and peruse the comic rack and look for the newest MAD Magazine. After buying my stock of goodies, I would sit on the curb outside the store reading the magazine while I ate a candy bar and drank a soda. One of my favorite things in MAD Magazine was Spy vs Spy by Antonio Prohais. I loved these two funny spies, Black and White, that were always trying to outdo one another. Their antics would always make me laugh and wonder how I could become a spy.

As always, the artwork in this book by Antonio Prohias is wonderful and the stories are easy to follow. With no dialog, this book is a quick read. Spy vs Spy books can easily be read multiple times, and you will always find something that you missed.

So, if you are looking for a hilarious time, pick up a copy of Spy vs Spy: Masters of Mayhem and be ready to take a walk on the absurd side. May the best spy win!