Russell Simmons Presents B.A.D Magazine
Encyclopedia
Russell Simmons Presents B.A.D Magazine (AKA: Black Mad Magazine) was an attempt by Time/Warner to develop an “urban” oriented spin off from its Mad Magazine brand. The project began when Rap mogul Russell Simmons
pitched the idea to Mad Publisher Jenette Kahn
after the two met on a plane in 1998.
Danny Simmons
(brother of Russell and producer of HBO’s Def Jam Poetry) was brought in to oversee the project, and recruited writer/editor Horatio Weisfeld
and art director Floyd Hughes
to get things moving.
Initial concept was for B.A.D content to be created by comedians who appeared on HBO television series, Russell Simmons Present Def Comedy Jam
, but this proved unworkable, and editor Weisfeld was charged with creating most of B.A.D’s content in short order. Warner executives eventually signed off on Weisfeld’s version and production began in 1999. Contributing talent included Deborah Gregory
(who later created Disney’s Cheetah Girls), Arthur Suydam
(who is widely credited with the success of Marvel Zombies
), John Cebollero, Walter Moore and Kyle Baker
.
Eventually, Warner deemed the produced material (which bore a similar tone to the recent Dave Chappell Show) to be too edgy for America’s conservative newsstand outlets, and declined to take the magazine to market.
B.A.D was then re-conceived as an animated show for HBO, but this became mired in contractual issues between HBO and Warner Publishing, and a pilot was never completed.
Russell Simmons
-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...
pitched the idea to Mad Publisher Jenette Kahn
Jenette Kahn
Jenette Kahn is an American comic book editor and executive. She joined DC Comics in 1976 as publisher, and five years later was promoted to President. In 1989, she stepped down as publisher and assumed the title of Editor-in-Chief while retaining the office of president...
after the two met on a plane in 1998.
Danny Simmons
Danny Simmons
Daniel " Simmons, Jr. is an abstract expressionist painter. Older brother of hip-hop impressario Russell Simmons and rapper Joseph Simmons , he is the co-founder and Chairman of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation which provides disadvantaged urban youth with arts access and education...
(brother of Russell and producer of HBO’s Def Jam Poetry) was brought in to oversee the project, and recruited writer/editor Horatio Weisfeld
Horatio Weisfeld
Horatio Weisfeld is a writer/editor/publisher who co-founded mass-market comics magazines and developed other media properties. His creation of often irreverent commercial entertainment follows in the footsteps of his father, Irwin Weisfeld, a writer and manufacturer of ubiquitous mid-late 60s...
and art director Floyd Hughes
Floyd Hughes
Floyd Hughes is a Brooklyn based production designer, storyboard artist and comic book illustrator. He is also an art professor at the Pratt Institute.-Early life:Floyd Hughes was born in the East End of London to Guyanese parents...
to get things moving.
Initial concept was for B.A.D content to be created by comedians who appeared on HBO television series, Russell Simmons Present Def Comedy Jam
Def Comedy Jam
Def Comedy Jam is a HBO television series produced by Russell Simmons. The series had its original run from July 1, 1992 to January 1, 1997. The show returned on HBO's fall lineup in 2006. Def Comedy Jam helped to launch the careers of several African-American stand-up comedians...
, but this proved unworkable, and editor Weisfeld was charged with creating most of B.A.D’s content in short order. Warner executives eventually signed off on Weisfeld’s version and production began in 1999. Contributing talent included Deborah Gregory
Deborah Gregory
Deborah Gregory is the author of the popular book series The Cheetah Girls. She is also the producer of the Disney Channel Original Movies The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2 and was an executive producer for The Cheetah Girls: One World....
(who later created Disney’s Cheetah Girls), Arthur Suydam
Arthur Suydam
Arthur Suydam is an American comic book artist and musician. He has done artwork for magazines including Heavy Metal, Epic Illustrated and National Lampoon, while his comic book work includes Batman, Conan, Tarzan, Predator, Aliens, Death Dealer, and Marvel Zombies.-Illustration:Suydam has...
(who is widely credited with the success of Marvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies is a five-issue limited series published from December 2005 to April 2006 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Robert Kirkman with art by Sean Phillips and covers by Arthur Suydam. It was the first series in the Marvel Zombies series of related stories...
), John Cebollero, Walter Moore and Kyle Baker
Kyle Baker
Kyle John Baker is an American cartoonist, comic book writer-artist, and animator known for his graphic novels and for a 2000s revival of the series Plastic Man....
.
Eventually, Warner deemed the produced material (which bore a similar tone to the recent Dave Chappell Show) to be too edgy for America’s conservative newsstand outlets, and declined to take the magazine to market.
B.A.D was then re-conceived as an animated show for HBO, but this became mired in contractual issues between HBO and Warner Publishing, and a pilot was never completed.