Sam Keith changed my life. I had given up on comics. Everything was looking the same. The stories were the same.
A friend came into art class one day and plopped down a copy of Darker Image and said “Look at this.” A preposterously proportioned human male and a cartoonish woman with a bit of a belly that was obviously inspired by Frank Frazetta. The variations on 9 panels were completely shattered by bizarre organic and inorganic framings.
It was radically different from anything else. Then I started reading it. I had no idea what was going on. And that is a wonderful feeling.
In the Maxx comic you would read the issue and just have to sit back for a bit and figure out what you just read. The letters column was like reading dissertations from psychology majors. The whole Sam Keith package was multiple layers from art, story telling, and psychology all wrapped up in a very not easy to open package.
Sam Keith changed me. He changed the comics industry. He will be missed.
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I recently watched the animated The Maxx. It was an experience. I highly recommend
Thanks for the News. I didn’t know. I too love the Maxx.
All credit to Keith for his amazing artistic contribution of pencilling the first five issues of The Sandman, but calling him The Sandman’s creator is a massive oversimplification.
Agreed
The Maxx was amazing and revelatory for me. I came for the crazy wildman, but stayed for the character depth and compassion. Have fun roaming the Outback Sam.
I missed this story when it happened. I was at storage when my wife yesterday, and openers a box of old Sam Kieth comics. My introduction to him was his cover work on Marvel Comics Presents, I love Wolverine, Cable, and The Ghost Rider in his art style. His Maxx was what had me most excited for Image Comics, yes I was a fan of all the others, but Sam’s surreal style was unparalleled.
You will be missed Mr Kieth. Thanks for all the oversized feet.
Woah. Be careful or someone might confuse him with Neil Gaiman.
One is not alive and not cancelled. The other is in hiding and alive.
Damn I spanked it hard to Julie Winters she was my Lola Bunny.