The long-running satire publication, MAD Magazine, has just named comic veteran Bill Morrison as the magazine’s incoming executive editor. Longtime and current Executive Editor John Ficarra, along with additional key members will continue to publish the magazine until the end of the year. They will then assist with the relocation of the magazine’s operation from New York to DC Entertainment’s headquarters in Burbank, California.

“The passion and hard work from our MAD colleagues in New York has been instrumental in preserving the enduring legacy of MAD Magazine, and for that we are extremely grateful. I’d especially like to thank John Ficarra and his team for the countless laughs and their unwavering commitment to the company, as well for remaining onboard during the transition of the MAD operations to the west coast. I have the utmost confidence that Bill, together with the editorial team in Burbank, will continue MAD’s legacy of humor and subversion as only MAD can,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment and President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

In his new role, Morrison will report to Hank Kanalz, SVP, Editorial Strategy & Administration and begin to take on the day-to-day operations of the magazine. He will also hire and direct a MAD editorial and creative team for both MAD magazine and MAD books, as well as manage the development and implementation of the annual publishing schedule.

“We’re excited to have Bill on board as part of the MAD editorial family. His pedigree as an editor, writer, and artist make him the ideal person to lead the Usual Gang of Idiots out west. The bar has been set pretty high, but we have confidence that the team will find stools tall enough,” added Kanalz.

Morrison, along with The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, co-founded Bongo Comics Group and served as their creative director from 1993 to 2012. He also drew the first Simpsons comic book, Simpsons Comics #1, which earned him an Eisner award. Morrison currently serves as president of the National Cartoonists Society.

“Joining up with the crew at MAD is thrilling, exciting, and an incredible responsibility. I don’t know anyone who loves and respects MAD as much as I do. I’ll definitely have my work cut out for me, but I’m dedicated to upholding the high standards of absurd and irreverent humor that the public has come to expect from MAD. I’ve been asked if I will continue to include artist Al Jaffee in the magazine; as soon as I find out who he is, I’ll let everyone know,” Morrison said.