Fans of Image Comics will remember Sam Kieth’s THE MAXX. First published by Image in March of 1993 THE MAXX starred a purple eponymous being with an apparent love of the ladies. Well, actually one lady. The Jungle Queen. At least that is what she is known as in the “Outback,” one of the two worlds THE MAXX inhabits. In the normal world, she is Julie Winters, crusading social worker. Although, she seems to spend most of her time bailing out Maxx. For those fans of The Maxx, a special calendar is in the works with new art by creator Sam Kieth.
Now in Kickstarter, The MAXX 2021 Calendar will showcase the art of Sam Kieth and his popular character. This was announced today in this press release.
(November 9, 2020) Strange, surreal and unforgettable, Sam Kieth’s THE MAXX is a comic book unlike any other. Originally released by Image Comics from 1993 to 1998, THE MAXX has been hailed by Publisher’s Weekly as “one of the weirdest ‘mainstream’ comics ever published.” It has transfixed comic book fans, and inspired cartoonists. It was even adapted by MTV into a cult classic animated television show.
Now Clover Press is heading to Kickstarter to crowdfund Sam Kieth’s 2021 THE MAXX Calendar. It will include two different collectable calendars. Each one featuring a different calendar cover with an all new illustration of THE MAXX.
Sam Keith Speaks
“I’m thankful, and surprised, that people still enjoy THE MAXX,” says Sam Kieth. “I hope this calendar will provide some strange color onto their walls as we count the days go by.” The full-color, 11″ x 17″, wire-bound, 2021 calendar contains months from January 2021 to December 2021, with each month featuring a different, dynamic piece of THE MAXX cover art.
Exploring The Maxx
THE MAXX follows the adventures of its purple-clad hero The Maxx in two worlds. The real world, in which Maxx is a “homeless man living in a box,” and an alternate reality called the Outback. In this reality, Maxx is the powerful protector of the Jungle Queen. The Jungle Queen also exists in the real world. She is Julie Winters, a social worker who often bails Maxx out of jail. And while Maxx is aware of the Outback, Julie is not, though the alternate realm is essential to both of their stories.
Publishing History:
Image’s publication of THE MAXX lasted for 35 seminal issues, with Sam Kieth sometimes sharing co-writing credits with legendary writers Alan Moore and Bill Messner-Loebs. The comics were republished in 2013 by IDW Publishing with new covers by Kieth and new colors by Ronda Pattison.
The Critics, Creators, and Fans Agree
THE MAXX is a favorite of critics, cartoonists and fans alike:
“Visually arresting.”—COMICBOOK.COM
“Surreal.”—SYFY WIRE
“The number 1 thing people should know though is that it’s weird. Really, really weird. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”—CINEMA BLEND
“Stylish and imaginative.”—BLOODY DISGUSTING
“Sam Kieth is a visual & conceptual genius.”—Derf Backderf
“THE MAXX sits next to Mad Magazine and Calvin and Hobbes as one of the major building blocks of who I am as an artist and writer. It’s part of my DNA now and I will always be grateful to Sam Kieth for sharing it with all of us.”—Skottie Young
Kickstarter Details
THE MAXX campaign has multiple tiers. Pledge rewards include a set of THE MAXX postcards and a Sam Kieth variant cover of Juggernaut #1 signed by the artist. For updates, you can follow Clover Press on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. You can check out what Kieth is working on at his blog: www.samkieth.blogspot.com
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
If you want to support the campaign, visit Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cloverpress/sam-kieths-2021-maxx-calendar?ref=ksrtwitter-prelaunch
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.