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Off the Beaten Path

3/07/07

This weeks column is about The Maxx, The Maxx and nothing but The Maxx, well, also Friends of Maxx. You may wonder why? First off, it's one of my favorite series; next it was and still remains as 'off the beaten path' as humanly possible, and finally, Sam Keith is hands down my favorite artist working today. He has a skill set that is unbelievable, and let's not forget the fact that he employed the talents of the great Alan Moore - which issues, well you'll have to do some detective work to figure that out. Yes this column is biased, no need to skip to the verdict, it's obvious. Thank you and as always…enjoy.

Title- The Maxx

The Basics-

The Maxx burst on the scene in March 1993 with a resounding 'Thwack' and continued on for many years, ending with issue 35 somewhere around 1998, then continuing with a new story arc in the Friends of Maxx series. The Maxx centers on The Maxx, a homeless man and Julie Winters, a social worker that tends to The Maxx in what can be determined as a very strange relationship. There is Sarah a friend, Mr. Gone a serial killer with some strange talents, white and black Isz's, a wild 'Outback' and a series of 'spirit animals'. If it sounds like a prep course in Psyche 101, you're getting close. There is no accidental resemblance between the Isz's and one's Id. Sam Keith took on a very challenging project when he pitched this book to Image, a book where each and every characters personality, and psyche is examined, exposed, then reexamined from a completely new viewpoint. Each alter ego, spirit animal and horrific event is dissected cunningly throughout each and every frame. It's deliciously confusing and enlightening, with an ending well worth the wait.

The Art-

Enough can't be said about Sam Keith's particular art style. Stylized just doesn't cover enough ground. Refer to his current work on the Batman short series, Secrets, where I've never seen a better Joker, Scratch or countless other amazing renditions of well-known characters. His use of color, shadows and black accentuate each and every frame, you find yourself examining each book for something new you didn't see the first five times. His character style is unique, bold, striking and vulnerable when it needs to be. I think my favorite part is how the style changes based upon the particular story or emotion involved. If you ever saw the MTV cartoon of the same name, you know what I'm talking about. It was almost a frame for frame adaptation.

The Verdict-

Ohhh, this should be a real surprise. The Maxx, is one of my favorite comic book series of all time, if you enjoy great art, an interesting, twisting/turning, funny/sad story and good ol' action, you won't be disappointed, and if you enjoy psychology and sociology, you may just learn a thing or two. As for me, I'm all for getting my knowledge from a comic book.

HI Folks -

it's Mike, everyone's favorite editor here. We have decided to run a special promotion here at Pulp Fiction to celebrate the return of Anthony! Just come up to the counter and mention you read this column and you will be the proud owner of a FREE copy of The Maxx #1 from Image Comics! That's right, absolutely free - while supplies last, of course. And be sure to watch the website (www.pulpfictiononline.com) for more nuggets of brilliance from Anthony in the near future - right Anthony?