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The Maxx #6
The Maxx, Vol. 6
The final volume of Sam Kieth's eclectic masterpiece collects a series of innovative stories known as “Friends of Maxx”. These tales mark a turning point for Kieth's artistic evolution as a storyteller, paving the way for later groundbreaking titles such as Zero Girl and Four Women.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2006
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210 people want to read
About the author
Sam Kieth
409 books271 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 11, 2016
Volume six collects the Friends of Maxx miniseries. The first issue tells the story of Dude and Mickey's relationship woes while the next two tell about Ira's release from prison and his uncle trying to teach him how to be a man.
While I dug these stories, they just weren't the same. There was very little connection to the Maxx I know and love. Aside from that, the stories were really good. The relationships depicted within were very realistic and relatable, and, honestly, probably the best writing in the entire series. Just not what I was looking for.
While I dug these stories, they just weren't the same. There was very little connection to the Maxx I know and love. Aside from that, the stories were really good. The relationships depicted within were very realistic and relatable, and, honestly, probably the best writing in the entire series. Just not what I was looking for.
March 28, 2009
Sam Kieth creates such a twisted, darkened vision of the world we live in, yet it is wholly accurate. Injecting The Maxx with equal degrees of realism and fantasy, the story comes to life magnificently. The fragmented, fragile states of the characters is mirrored in the fluctuating artistic mediums used throughout the comics, to create an entirely magical hallucinatory trip for the reader.
As far as storyline, Kieth tugs at heartstrings, bringing the reader to a place not dissimilar to that of Julia Winters or Maxx, or even Sarah. Through the occurrences and lessons the characters must undergo in the book, Kieth does nothing short of forcing the reader to ruminate over his or her own life and hurts. It really brought me to a point of tears multiple times throughout. It's just a beautiful narrative, and the art only works to boost that quality.
As far as storyline, Kieth tugs at heartstrings, bringing the reader to a place not dissimilar to that of Julia Winters or Maxx, or even Sarah. Through the occurrences and lessons the characters must undergo in the book, Kieth does nothing short of forcing the reader to ruminate over his or her own life and hurts. It really brought me to a point of tears multiple times throughout. It's just a beautiful narrative, and the art only works to boost that quality.
September 5, 2025
While I don't think Friend Of The Maxx is better than The Maxx was as a whole, the stories with Ira and Charley are some of my favorite writing from Sam Keith. I found Mickey and Dude somewhat boring and was relieved to have a different storyline that I actually felt invested in. It covers a lot of interesting topics, feminism, homosexuality, racism and stereotypical "what it means to be a man" shit. It's relatable, all the while being ridiculous and sad, yet also funny.
9/10.
9/10.
June 7, 2009
After the actual ending of the series in the last volume, this felt like a real letdown. Besides explaining who two random characters in the main series were, this didn't do much of anything for me with a long, pointless "battle of the sexes/journey of male actualization" that was meaningless because the characters seemingly had nothing to do with the story I've been following for the previous five volumes. (The spelling and grammatical errors drove me nuts, too. Where was the editor?)
On the plus side, Kieth's art is always worth a look, even if the writing isn't.
On the plus side, Kieth's art is always worth a look, even if the writing isn't.
January 11, 2012
A veces me sorprende mi poca capacidad de retención. No hace tanto que leí este tomo pero se me borraron casi todos los detalles de la trama, aunque un par de frases lapidarias siguen tirándome piedras de vez en cuando. Una cosa sí recuerdo con claridad: Que el tomo era bastante deprimente y que era excelente. Al igual que la mayoría de los anteriores, claro, pero con énfasis en lo de "deprimente".
May 9, 2023
Three stories with no relation to the original Maxx story. Not even loosely, unless you count the random For the Love of Three Oranges issue. Which had no place in the Maxx story line and is in no way resolved here.
If you read the Maxx, you'll probably pick this up. But have low expectations if you are hoping for more Maxx. Very wordy, but with the crazy Sam Kieth art we love. Should've been marketed as something else, but then it would've sold way less.
If you read the Maxx, you'll probably pick this up. But have low expectations if you are hoping for more Maxx. Very wordy, but with the crazy Sam Kieth art we love. Should've been marketed as something else, but then it would've sold way less.
August 3, 2009
More about Mickey and Dude, and a whole new story in the "Friends of the Maxx" issues. I'm glad that they left the end of Volume 5 as the actual end. Good read, great art, as always. Twisted goodness, as always. :)
February 22, 2015
I remember being so disappointed with this small miniseries since The Maxx isn't even in it, nor are any of the characters that made The Maxx so special. Looking back, it was an average story told in an average fashion. it was nothing special.
December 28, 2008
Blah.
Not good.
Not awful.
Not The Maxx.
Not good.
Not awful.
Not The Maxx.
June 9, 2015
An interesting side story of background characters. Worth reading if yo don't want it to be all about Maxx & Julie
October 11, 2016
the last one but great !!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews