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Writer/Artist: Sam Kieth
Dialogue Assist: Bill Messner-Loebs
Publisher: DC/Cliffhanger
Fondly remembered, skewed-superhero tale from an artist who had some to fame through a visually unique Wolverine tale. Kieth knows what he likes to draw. Back then it was big footed creatures, voluptuous (but reality based) women with bell-bottom trousers, inventive panel layouts and clothing that got shredded like loose springs.
All these elements were put into the blender for The Maxx and, rather than being a mess by an artist too eager to discard a writer, turned out to be a surprising take on abuse and coping. The Maxx himself is a hulking, purple clad bum with huge claws on each hand and a lone friend who's a counsellor. This is Julie, the real centre of the story, who sometimes appears as the queen of the outback like a fusion of Vaughan Bodé and Frank Frazetta's favourite images.
The general baddies and confusions are set up here. You get to see the Iz, a horde of stubby, eyeless devils with sharp teeth and an ability to blend into the crowds. Mr Gone appears and does wrong. MTV decided that this would be perfect for an animated series so we get a lot of requests for The Maxx. Cliffhanger/DC have promised to reprint the whole lot.
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