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The Maxx: Maxximized #3
The Maxx: Maxximized Vol. 3
Volume 3 continues the re-presentation of Sam Kieth's and William Messner-Loeb's groundbreaking series, The Maxx, with all new colors by Ronda Pattison. Collects issues #9–12.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2015
12 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Sam Kieth
409 books269 followersKieth first came to prominence in 1984 as the inker of Matt Wagner's Mage, his brushwork adding fluidity and texture to the broad strokes of Wagner's early work at Comico Comics. In 1989, he drew the first five issues of writer Neil Gaiman's celebrated series The Sandman, but felt his style was unsuited to the book (specifically saying that he "felt like Jimi Hendrix in The Beatles") and left, handing over to his former inker Mike Dringenberg.
He acted as illustrator on two volumes of writer William Messner-Loebs' Epicurus the Sage and drew an Aliens miniseries for Dark Horse Comics, among other things, before creating The Maxx in 1993 for Image Comics, with, initially, writing help from Messner-Loebs. It ran for 35 issues and was adapted, with Kieth's assistance, into an animated series for MTV. Since then, as a writer-artist, he has gone on to create Friends of Maxx, Zero Girl, Four Women and Ojo.
Ojo comprises the first and My Inner Bimbo the second, in a cycle of original comic book limited series published by Oni Press. Loosely connected, the cycle will concern the intertwined lives of people with each other and sometimes with a supernatural entity known as the Mysterious Trout. Kieth has stated that other characters from The Maxx series will appear in this cycle of stories. My Inner Bimbo #1 was published in April 2006. Issue #2 was delayed past its original release date; It was finally resolicited in "Previews" in 2007 and hit the store shelves in November 2007.
DC Comics' Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious, a two-issue prestige format mini-series that started in August 2007, was written and drawn by Kieth. This was followed by 2009's two-issue prestige format mini-series Lobo: Highway to Hell, written by Scott Ian and featuring art by Kieth.
He acted as illustrator on two volumes of writer William Messner-Loebs' Epicurus the Sage and drew an Aliens miniseries for Dark Horse Comics, among other things, before creating The Maxx in 1993 for Image Comics, with, initially, writing help from Messner-Loebs. It ran for 35 issues and was adapted, with Kieth's assistance, into an animated series for MTV. Since then, as a writer-artist, he has gone on to create Friends of Maxx, Zero Girl, Four Women and Ojo.
Ojo comprises the first and My Inner Bimbo the second, in a cycle of original comic book limited series published by Oni Press. Loosely connected, the cycle will concern the intertwined lives of people with each other and sometimes with a supernatural entity known as the Mysterious Trout. Kieth has stated that other characters from The Maxx series will appear in this cycle of stories. My Inner Bimbo #1 was published in April 2006. Issue #2 was delayed past its original release date; It was finally resolicited in "Previews" in 2007 and hit the store shelves in November 2007.
DC Comics' Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious, a two-issue prestige format mini-series that started in August 2007, was written and drawn by Kieth. This was followed by 2009's two-issue prestige format mini-series Lobo: Highway to Hell, written by Scott Ian and featuring art by Kieth.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 2, 2015
The simple summary of this book is that Julie decides to leave The Maxx behind to sort her life out and he’s not chuffed about it! Wow, that sounds… boring.
There’s some weird stuff about the Outback, which is imaginary or something, Mr Gone, who’s dead but isn’t, some kid with his arm stuck in a wall that’s also a portal, and a flashback issue to Julie’s childhood. But mostly it’s a very muddled and meandering book with little substance for all its self-conscious “artiness”.
I liked The Maxx initially because it’s a peculiar take on the usual superhero story. It’s a bit whacky with lots of cartoony animals like the Isz showing up (eyeless gremlins) and there’s some question over what The Maxx is anyway - is he some crazy homeless friend of Julie’s? Her spirit animal? Just a lost kid dreaming it all up? But a lot of those interesting questions get pushed to the side in this third volume of the re-mastered series to be replaced with…
... a whole lotta nothing instead! There are entire issues here where I couldn’t tell you what the point was, like the kid with the arm stuck in the wall - why was that relevant? And what is Mr Gone’s deal anyway - so many pages with this guy sitting against a wall talking gibberish! A random kid who wants to be a supervillain for some reason? The Maxx sulks the whole time while Julie dithers about, as is her wont, until she packs her bags and goes.
So. What.
Sam Kieth’s art is fine but his and William Messner-Loeb’s script is tedious to say the least. I’m struggling to understand why I should care about anything that happened in this book. The Maxx is an interesting character but without a story to match, it’s the dullest comic to read. Kieth and Messner-Loeb being weird for the sake of it is much too trying to enjoy. This third volume is the worst one yet in a series that continues to decline in quality.
There’s some weird stuff about the Outback, which is imaginary or something, Mr Gone, who’s dead but isn’t, some kid with his arm stuck in a wall that’s also a portal, and a flashback issue to Julie’s childhood. But mostly it’s a very muddled and meandering book with little substance for all its self-conscious “artiness”.
I liked The Maxx initially because it’s a peculiar take on the usual superhero story. It’s a bit whacky with lots of cartoony animals like the Isz showing up (eyeless gremlins) and there’s some question over what The Maxx is anyway - is he some crazy homeless friend of Julie’s? Her spirit animal? Just a lost kid dreaming it all up? But a lot of those interesting questions get pushed to the side in this third volume of the re-mastered series to be replaced with…
... a whole lotta nothing instead! There are entire issues here where I couldn’t tell you what the point was, like the kid with the arm stuck in the wall - why was that relevant? And what is Mr Gone’s deal anyway - so many pages with this guy sitting against a wall talking gibberish! A random kid who wants to be a supervillain for some reason? The Maxx sulks the whole time while Julie dithers about, as is her wont, until she packs her bags and goes.
So. What.
Sam Kieth’s art is fine but his and William Messner-Loeb’s script is tedious to say the least. I’m struggling to understand why I should care about anything that happened in this book. The Maxx is an interesting character but without a story to match, it’s the dullest comic to read. Kieth and Messner-Loeb being weird for the sake of it is much too trying to enjoy. This third volume is the worst one yet in a series that continues to decline in quality.
August 30, 2019
This was pretty good though the series just gets weirder. Too tired to writer a full review will come back later. Still solid though.
January 27, 2016
This volume is where The Maxx really starts to broaden out and tell the stories of other people who don't interact with or barely interact with the main character. It's that aspect which really gives the series legs. When it uses its surreal aspects to comment on the reality of life is when it's at its best.
November 2, 2023
One of the best comics issues I've ever read is in this volume.
April 7, 2018
Reseña de Víctor A. Sagasti para Mulder Comics:
THE MAXX: ESA ETAPA DE LA VIDA EN QUE DEMANDA CAMBIOS DE RUMBO
THE MAXX MAXXIMIZED - volumen 3
Por VÍCTOR A. SAGASTI
Los giros argumentales que se dieron en la entrega anterior, sirvieron para aclarar qué rol juega THE MAXX en la vida de JULIE. Para terminar de englobar ese aspecto, en esta entrega se muestra el motivo específico a modo de remembranza.
La revelación quizás culmine el ciclo de WINTERS en esta saga, pero no significa que la historia finalice; se abren nuevas posibilidades sobre qué camino tomará THE MAXX sin su “REINA DE LA PANGEA”.
SARAH tomará la posta como una de las protagonistas. Al tener lazos que la ligan con MÍSTER GONE, genera expectativas en cómo se vayan a desarrollar las líneas narrativas.
Al ser parte THE MAXX de un mundo poblado de enmascarados (los antihéroes de los 90´de la editorial IMAGE), algo que ya se abordó en el número anterior, siempre genera mitos esta clase de seres. Partiendo de ese concepto, se verá a unos chicos tomando posición por el que da nombre a la historieta, y otros por MÍSTER GONE con sus esbirros los ISZ.
Quedan 4 entregas, con un panorama flamante, el mundo subconsciente y real, variopintos personajes, decisiones de vida, estupor por lo leído, la inocencia de un juego de niños en este cruce de realidades, pero sobre todo, una impecable historia que merecía la reedición del clásico de culto de los 90´, THE MAXX.
Publicado originalmente en USA por la editorial IDW en los números de THE MAXX: MAXXIMIZED, 9 al 12 entre los meses de julio a octubre de 2014.
El equipo creativo fue:
SAM KEITH en la elaboración de la historia y los dibujos.
Guiones de WILLIAM MESSNER—LOEBS.
Entintada por JIM SINCLAIR.
Coloreada por RONDA PATTISON.
Portadas a cargo de SAM KEITH y RONDA PATTISON.
Si quiere conocer más sobre personajes con la complejidad psicológica como los expuestos en este cómic, diferentes ramas del psicoanálisis, el contexto histórico y social de los 90´, todo tipo de historietas, como cualquier otra información que precise, recuerde que en la biblioteca siempre hay lugar para acceder a todo lo que necesite. Estos establecimientos culturales que resguardan el saber universal, ofrecen opciones populares, públicas y escolares.
Sigan siempre en contacto con la galaxia cibernética de MULDERCOMICS desde todas sus plataformas para mantenerse al tanto de lo que sucede en el mundo de la historieta.
Hasta pronto.
FUENTES CONSULTADAS
· KEITH, Sam; MESSNER—LOEBS, William y otros; THE MAXX: MAXXIMIZED; volumen 3; EDITORIAL IVREA S.L.; Julio 2017; BUENOS AIRES; REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA. MUSSO, Federico (traducción); COSTA, Nicolás (letreado).
· https://comicvine.gamespot.com
THE MAXX: ESA ETAPA DE LA VIDA EN QUE DEMANDA CAMBIOS DE RUMBO
THE MAXX MAXXIMIZED - volumen 3
Por VÍCTOR A. SAGASTI
Los giros argumentales que se dieron en la entrega anterior, sirvieron para aclarar qué rol juega THE MAXX en la vida de JULIE. Para terminar de englobar ese aspecto, en esta entrega se muestra el motivo específico a modo de remembranza.
La revelación quizás culmine el ciclo de WINTERS en esta saga, pero no significa que la historia finalice; se abren nuevas posibilidades sobre qué camino tomará THE MAXX sin su “REINA DE LA PANGEA”.
SARAH tomará la posta como una de las protagonistas. Al tener lazos que la ligan con MÍSTER GONE, genera expectativas en cómo se vayan a desarrollar las líneas narrativas.
Al ser parte THE MAXX de un mundo poblado de enmascarados (los antihéroes de los 90´de la editorial IMAGE), algo que ya se abordó en el número anterior, siempre genera mitos esta clase de seres. Partiendo de ese concepto, se verá a unos chicos tomando posición por el que da nombre a la historieta, y otros por MÍSTER GONE con sus esbirros los ISZ.
Quedan 4 entregas, con un panorama flamante, el mundo subconsciente y real, variopintos personajes, decisiones de vida, estupor por lo leído, la inocencia de un juego de niños en este cruce de realidades, pero sobre todo, una impecable historia que merecía la reedición del clásico de culto de los 90´, THE MAXX.
Publicado originalmente en USA por la editorial IDW en los números de THE MAXX: MAXXIMIZED, 9 al 12 entre los meses de julio a octubre de 2014.
El equipo creativo fue:
SAM KEITH en la elaboración de la historia y los dibujos.
Guiones de WILLIAM MESSNER—LOEBS.
Entintada por JIM SINCLAIR.
Coloreada por RONDA PATTISON.
Portadas a cargo de SAM KEITH y RONDA PATTISON.
Si quiere conocer más sobre personajes con la complejidad psicológica como los expuestos en este cómic, diferentes ramas del psicoanálisis, el contexto histórico y social de los 90´, todo tipo de historietas, como cualquier otra información que precise, recuerde que en la biblioteca siempre hay lugar para acceder a todo lo que necesite. Estos establecimientos culturales que resguardan el saber universal, ofrecen opciones populares, públicas y escolares.
Sigan siempre en contacto con la galaxia cibernética de MULDERCOMICS desde todas sus plataformas para mantenerse al tanto de lo que sucede en el mundo de la historieta.
Hasta pronto.
FUENTES CONSULTADAS
· KEITH, Sam; MESSNER—LOEBS, William y otros; THE MAXX: MAXXIMIZED; volumen 3; EDITORIAL IVREA S.L.; Julio 2017; BUENOS AIRES; REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA. MUSSO, Federico (traducción); COSTA, Nicolás (letreado).
· https://comicvine.gamespot.com
August 10, 2021
Continues as a strong, if disjointed, story. The art is fantastic. Definitely continuing on to volume 4.
December 28, 2015
This volume picks things back up, and seems have been intended as an ending to the comic. For those familiar with the MTV television show, the arc presented in that show ends with this volume. Julie leaves Maxx and Sarah/Sara becomes an increasingly important character, being the origin for Mr. Gone. Julie is believable here, and the nature of the "Outback" becomes more clear. That said, there does seem to be an anti-climatic ending to the story which would have been more "problematic" if it had actually been the ending to the piece. Many who want more conventional comic book narratives and clearer resolution will be disappointed in this volume although I think the storytelling is strong here as is the mythology building.
May 25, 2017
Finally the art is starting to work. Does the story make any more sense? No, it keeps getting more weird. Feels like a nonsense ride through Keith's psyche. I think most of the stuff he writes is a bit like this. Am I still interested to know how it works out? Yeah, maybe it will pull itself together soon...
March 22, 2017
A superhero book that isn't a superhero book.
And one that spells out some things in odd ways. He builds up all this mystery and tension only to dispel it almost immediately and bluntly delivered via Mr. Gone.
Very interesting.
And one that spells out some things in odd ways. He builds up all this mystery and tension only to dispel it almost immediately and bluntly delivered via Mr. Gone.
Very interesting.
December 20, 2023
Eu já comentei sobre a minha curiosidade em ler Maxx desde a longínqua adolescência, então vou pular essa parte.
Nesse volume, a porradaria dá uma baixada e vamos descobrir um pouco mais sobre a Julie, Mr Bones e Sarah e, através da discussão sobre sonho, memória e realidade, vamos descobrindo um pouco mais sobre os personagens e suas relações.
Fiquei surpreso com alguns comentários que são jogados por ali entre uma sequência e outra, mas Maxx acaba sendo um ótimo quadrinho que se eu tivesse lido com 16 anos ia achar chato; tem coisas que a gente precisa se foder na vida pra apreciar de verdade.
Nesse volume, a porradaria dá uma baixada e vamos descobrir um pouco mais sobre a Julie, Mr Bones e Sarah e, através da discussão sobre sonho, memória e realidade, vamos descobrindo um pouco mais sobre os personagens e suas relações.
Fiquei surpreso com alguns comentários que são jogados por ali entre uma sequência e outra, mas Maxx acaba sendo um ótimo quadrinho que se eu tivesse lido com 16 anos ia achar chato; tem coisas que a gente precisa se foder na vida pra apreciar de verdade.
July 5, 2020
The more of this series I read the more I think it was very underrated. It's going to eventually need a payoff that explains the weirdness but to this point it's been a very original story. There's really nothing else quite like this out there, or if there is I'm not aware of it.
We are starting to find out more about Mr. Gone and seeing more of the real world. Things are becoming a little more substantial in this volume as far as more real world story and less existential story. But then again, maybe it just seems that way.
We are starting to find out more about Mr. Gone and seeing more of the real world. Things are becoming a little more substantial in this volume as far as more real world story and less existential story. But then again, maybe it just seems that way.
July 23, 2017
Edición argentina. Tomo 3 de 7 en el que concluye lo que sería el primer graaaan arco de la serie, con más escenas bajoneantes que ningún otro, pero vos decís eso porque no sabés la que se viene cuando pegan un salto de varios años...
December 20, 2022
A lot of meta stuff and the art is still great, using the panels in a very interesting ways as always.
February 14, 2024
Este parece el tomo de transición. Hubo cambio de guionista además y presentación de nuevos personajes
May 16, 2022
The Maxx nunca deja de pelear con su peor enemigo.
October 31, 2025
La primera docena de números se cierra acá en este tercer tomo maxximized.
March 30, 2017
I have to give the Maxx and Sam Keith a lot of credit. Jon Spencer once said that good rock music has to at least be a little bit weird. Well the Maxx did the same for me and comics.
I have no idea what first attracted me to the comics (maybe the crossover with Gen13 which was my gateway comic?), but once I started, I was hooked and I didn’t know why. Its convoluted story, its weird characters, its graphic subject should have turned me off to the series, but instead they kept me coming for more. One thing I knew for sure was that there was nothing out there like it and being original counted for a lot in that era of comics.
Many years after I’ve read the comics, I’m still at a loss to describe what it’s about. Sure, the Maxx appears to be about good’s struggle over evil with superheroes and supervillains in the mix, but it’s also so much more. As you read on, you realize that this is a very psychological book, and that these apparently superhuman characters are actually dealing with very real inner struggles, learning to cope with their life, afraid of their own weakness. And even though I originally remember the Maxx series being about the Maxx, then I thought maybe it’s about Julie, rereading the series almost 10 years later I’m starting to realize this series is actually about Mr. Gone. A shocking revelation that the villain of the story is actually the hero. Then again, Sam Keith was never one to write conventional stories. Quite honestly, my mind is being blown all over again. I know I said there was nothing out there quite like The Maxx and years later, there still isn’t.
IDW has stepped up to the plate once more and truly revamped the series in these Maxximixed editions. The series is not just printed on thick glossy paper, collected in hardcover books with all new art, but here they’ve also rescanned the original artwork and recolorized the pages. Kieth is nothing if not a breathtaking artist and the Maxx looks even better than it originally did, if you can imagine that. A much needed and truly apt collection of a grossly underrated series.
These first four books end right before we truly get into the root of Julie’s trauma and where exactly the Maxx as we know him came from. Until now we’ve have unpacked quite a complicated story and the boundaries have been drawn. Now, let’s see if Sam Kieth can put everything back in the box.
Hold onto your butts. Things are about to get much weirder.
I have no idea what first attracted me to the comics (maybe the crossover with Gen13 which was my gateway comic?), but once I started, I was hooked and I didn’t know why. Its convoluted story, its weird characters, its graphic subject should have turned me off to the series, but instead they kept me coming for more. One thing I knew for sure was that there was nothing out there like it and being original counted for a lot in that era of comics.
Many years after I’ve read the comics, I’m still at a loss to describe what it’s about. Sure, the Maxx appears to be about good’s struggle over evil with superheroes and supervillains in the mix, but it’s also so much more. As you read on, you realize that this is a very psychological book, and that these apparently superhuman characters are actually dealing with very real inner struggles, learning to cope with their life, afraid of their own weakness. And even though I originally remember the Maxx series being about the Maxx, then I thought maybe it’s about Julie, rereading the series almost 10 years later I’m starting to realize this series is actually about Mr. Gone. A shocking revelation that the villain of the story is actually the hero. Then again, Sam Keith was never one to write conventional stories. Quite honestly, my mind is being blown all over again. I know I said there was nothing out there quite like The Maxx and years later, there still isn’t.
IDW has stepped up to the plate once more and truly revamped the series in these Maxximixed editions. The series is not just printed on thick glossy paper, collected in hardcover books with all new art, but here they’ve also rescanned the original artwork and recolorized the pages. Kieth is nothing if not a breathtaking artist and the Maxx looks even better than it originally did, if you can imagine that. A much needed and truly apt collection of a grossly underrated series.
These first four books end right before we truly get into the root of Julie’s trauma and where exactly the Maxx as we know him came from. Until now we’ve have unpacked quite a complicated story and the boundaries have been drawn. Now, let’s see if Sam Kieth can put everything back in the box.
Hold onto your butts. Things are about to get much weirder.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews