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The Maxx: Maxximized
Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams
The Dark Knight faces the strangest and most bizarre adventure of his career, as he meets comics' strangest and most bizarre hero, The Maxx!
A devious new doctor at Arkham Asylum is conducting unconventional experiments into the human psyche, and he kicks off a chain reaction of disaster when he experiments on Arkham's newest patient, The Maxx! The city of Gotham is starting to merge with The Maxx's psychedelic mental landscape, known as the Outback, blurring the line between real and unreal. It's up to Batman to save not just Gotham, but all of reality, and he and The Maxx are going to have to travel through some of the darkest places imaginable – the twisted minds of Batman's greatest enemies!
Join Batman and The Maxx on an off-kilter and unforgettable romp through the diabolical consciousnesses of Batman's greatest foes, including Harley Quinn, the Penguin, Killer Croc, and, of course, the Joker. Legendary artist Sam Kieth (The Sandman, Wolverine) returns to Gotham City, and–after two decades–his greatest creation, The Maxx.
Collects the complete five-issue series.
A devious new doctor at Arkham Asylum is conducting unconventional experiments into the human psyche, and he kicks off a chain reaction of disaster when he experiments on Arkham's newest patient, The Maxx! The city of Gotham is starting to merge with The Maxx's psychedelic mental landscape, known as the Outback, blurring the line between real and unreal. It's up to Batman to save not just Gotham, but all of reality, and he and The Maxx are going to have to travel through some of the darkest places imaginable – the twisted minds of Batman's greatest enemies!
Join Batman and The Maxx on an off-kilter and unforgettable romp through the diabolical consciousnesses of Batman's greatest foes, including Harley Quinn, the Penguin, Killer Croc, and, of course, the Joker. Legendary artist Sam Kieth (The Sandman, Wolverine) returns to Gotham City, and–after two decades–his greatest creation, The Maxx.
Collects the complete five-issue series.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published July 27, 2021
58 people are currently reading
185 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 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 28, 2021
When a homeless man in a purple outfit is hauled off to Arkham Asylum, Batman takes an interest. But no asylum can hold him for he is The Maxx! Can Batman and The Maxx stop the outback from dying? And whose Outback is it anyway?
There were a couple years during my first stint in college that the only three comics I read were Preacher, Poison Elves, and The Maxx so this was a no-brainer for me. I pre-ordered it in December 2018, around the time we found out my wife was pregnant. My son will be two in a couple days and it finally arrived. I devoured it like an isz on an air whale carcass.
I didn't realize how much I missed the Maxx until I noticed Ret' Quark'n in the background on the first page. Sam Kieth's art has evolved a bit since the original series decades ago. It still feels like The Maxx of old but with some modern flourishes and artistic nuances that come with the passage of time. For instance, Maxx's outfit has patterns on it and his boots aren't quite the same. The artwork is as way out as it ever was. Sam hasn't lost a step and may have even picked up a thing or two. His Batman is kind of grotesque but most of Sam's characters are.
Much like the Gen 13/Maxx crossover from yesteryear, this one plays fast and loose with the core concepts of the series. The Maxx is picked up for being himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and Batman tracks him to Arkham, where Dr. Disparu wires The Maxx, Batman, and some familiar villains up to a contraption. Batman and The Maxx jump back and forth between realities in order to save the Outback.
Like a lot of issues of the Maxx, I'm only about 81% sure what actually happened. The crazy visuals and the sweet rush of nostalgia were the big selling points for me. To his credit, Sam wrapped everything up to my satisfaction at the end, even quelling some of the gripes I had about breaking the Maxx's universe's internal logic. There were callbacks to a lot of classic moments in the series, like Ret' Quark'n and his giant hammer to Mr. Gone's snappy yellow outfit in the Outback.
Was Batman even necessary? From a sales standpoint, yes. From a story standpoint? Debatable. I hope this sells well enough for IDW to bring the Maxx omnibuses back into print.
Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams was like a visit from an old friend who hasn't gotten any less wild with age. Four out of five Wumpus Woofs.
There were a couple years during my first stint in college that the only three comics I read were Preacher, Poison Elves, and The Maxx so this was a no-brainer for me. I pre-ordered it in December 2018, around the time we found out my wife was pregnant. My son will be two in a couple days and it finally arrived. I devoured it like an isz on an air whale carcass.
I didn't realize how much I missed the Maxx until I noticed Ret' Quark'n in the background on the first page. Sam Kieth's art has evolved a bit since the original series decades ago. It still feels like The Maxx of old but with some modern flourishes and artistic nuances that come with the passage of time. For instance, Maxx's outfit has patterns on it and his boots aren't quite the same. The artwork is as way out as it ever was. Sam hasn't lost a step and may have even picked up a thing or two. His Batman is kind of grotesque but most of Sam's characters are.
Much like the Gen 13/Maxx crossover from yesteryear, this one plays fast and loose with the core concepts of the series. The Maxx is picked up for being himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and Batman tracks him to Arkham, where Dr. Disparu wires The Maxx, Batman, and some familiar villains up to a contraption. Batman and The Maxx jump back and forth between realities in order to save the Outback.
Like a lot of issues of the Maxx, I'm only about 81% sure what actually happened. The crazy visuals and the sweet rush of nostalgia were the big selling points for me. To his credit, Sam wrapped everything up to my satisfaction at the end, even quelling some of the gripes I had about breaking the Maxx's universe's internal logic. There were callbacks to a lot of classic moments in the series, like Ret' Quark'n and his giant hammer to Mr. Gone's snappy yellow outfit in the Outback.
Was Batman even necessary? From a sales standpoint, yes. From a story standpoint? Debatable. I hope this sells well enough for IDW to bring the Maxx omnibuses back into print.
Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams was like a visit from an old friend who hasn't gotten any less wild with age. Four out of five Wumpus Woofs.
August 13, 2021
As one would expect from a Sam Keith series, the story is largely incoherent. While each page looks fantastic, the characters drone on and on without saying anything of value. I do think those who enjoyed previous The Maxx series will dig this, if you are coming from the Batman side of fandom you will probably hate it. Batman is a big dummy who enables The Maxx's fever dreams and is all in on his nonsensical vision of the world.
April 10, 2022
Ok. Wow. What the hell did I just read? I am going to be honest and admit that I bought this comic at the used bookstore for two reasons. Firstly, I had heard of the comic "The Maxx" but had no idea what it was about. The second is the art intrigued me.
So apparently there is a creature named "The Maxx". I do not know what The Maxx is and this story doesn't explain it. But somehow this Maxx is able to go to a mental place (is it real? who the fuck knows?) called the "outback" (NO, not the one in Australia). Now somehow, some random weird Doctor at Arkham manages to do a mind control experiment where he sticks Batman into Maxx's world and then also some Arkham inmates (like the Penguin or the Joker) into this mental headspace known as "The Outback"..which is dying..I think. So batman spends time going in and out of the Outback/real world with The Maxx fighting Arkham inmates and helping Maxx to save the Jungle Queen who exists in our world as well (some girl known as "Julie"). Did you understand that? You did? Very cool. Since I, having read this, am still not sure what the fuck any of that means.
Then Batman and the Maxx fight in the Outback and get a flying air turtle to drop its eggs to replenish the Outback. Story ends. Once more, I reiterate- what the fuck did I just read?
Apparently, Sam Keith made a living writing these bizarre stories since he was famous enough to be allowed to do a Batman crossover. So why did I read this bad acid trip? The art. The art is actually very interesting. Is it good? Perhaps. I hesitate to apply that term to any part of this book, but I shall apply it to the art. It has a certain unique and original appeal. It's very different and some of the panels are quite interesting. The art is the ONLY reason this thing didn't get a One star.
After that crack-brained story, there were some pretty cool different covers and artwork. So get this for the art. Unless you, somehow, know who the Maxx is. Even worse, if you happen to like the Maxx. You may like this. Everybody else? Um..I doubt it. But the art is cool though. Not much of a recommendation, I realize. But I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone.
So apparently there is a creature named "The Maxx". I do not know what The Maxx is and this story doesn't explain it. But somehow this Maxx is able to go to a mental place (is it real? who the fuck knows?) called the "outback" (NO, not the one in Australia). Now somehow, some random weird Doctor at Arkham manages to do a mind control experiment where he sticks Batman into Maxx's world and then also some Arkham inmates (like the Penguin or the Joker) into this mental headspace known as "The Outback"..which is dying..I think. So batman spends time going in and out of the Outback/real world with The Maxx fighting Arkham inmates and helping Maxx to save the Jungle Queen who exists in our world as well (some girl known as "Julie"). Did you understand that? You did? Very cool. Since I, having read this, am still not sure what the fuck any of that means.
Then Batman and the Maxx fight in the Outback and get a flying air turtle to drop its eggs to replenish the Outback. Story ends. Once more, I reiterate- what the fuck did I just read?
Apparently, Sam Keith made a living writing these bizarre stories since he was famous enough to be allowed to do a Batman crossover. So why did I read this bad acid trip? The art. The art is actually very interesting. Is it good? Perhaps. I hesitate to apply that term to any part of this book, but I shall apply it to the art. It has a certain unique and original appeal. It's very different and some of the panels are quite interesting. The art is the ONLY reason this thing didn't get a One star.
After that crack-brained story, there were some pretty cool different covers and artwork. So get this for the art. Unless you, somehow, know who the Maxx is. Even worse, if you happen to like the Maxx. You may like this. Everybody else? Um..I doubt it. But the art is cool though. Not much of a recommendation, I realize. But I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone.
November 24, 2021
It was okay. Had a few moments. A bit confusing but I think that was to be expected.
January 11, 2022
Great art from Sam Kieth but the story is nonsensical
June 30, 2023
Absolutely bonkers.
August 5, 2021
Comic books shouldn't be art forward. There, I said it. Without compelling writing, the art serves more like a gallery than as a form of media. To be fair, comics shouldn't be writing forward either. The writing not being much if you don't have the art to direct it. Everything needs to work together in order to make a great graphic novel.
My point? This Maxx/Batman crossover has a great deal of awesome art, but little in way of a convincing story. The wording is surprisingly dense while not really saying that much. The structure is all over the damn place. Ranging from repetitive to confusing. And I would even say it's unintentionally funny. An example on the last point, when Batman meets Maxx, he describes him as a homeless person. While I'm not sure if the ludicrous nature of it was on purpose, I couldn't help but chuckle at the idea this huge purple monster with a severe overbite was supposed to be mistaken as a regular homeless person. Greatest detective my ass.
The art is great though. While the flow in the paneling could use a great deal of work, how the characters are drawn and framed are damn near perfect. I'd probably prefer a book without wording and just the art. If there's one thing I'd have to judge against it, is that the amount of work and detail seem to hinder on the distance. The further the character(s) are away, the less amount of detail goes into the page. There is a slight, but noticeable, change from up close of a characters' face that looks degraded if the page shows the same character from the waist up. Then if you get far enough away that the characters are in the distance, they look only slightly better than stick figures. I don't mean to take away from the insane talent on display, but I also couldn't help but mention it.
I'll admit that I wasn't familiar with the Maxx character before diving into this book. But I don't think knowing more would have helped my opinion. Characterization and plot dynamics aren't the huge problems here. Especially when you consider how the book goes out of its way to explain everything to you. The whole writing side of things just feels clunky. I was glad I was exposed to such great art but reading it felt like driving over grassy hills in a 2WD sedan.
My point? This Maxx/Batman crossover has a great deal of awesome art, but little in way of a convincing story. The wording is surprisingly dense while not really saying that much. The structure is all over the damn place. Ranging from repetitive to confusing. And I would even say it's unintentionally funny. An example on the last point, when Batman meets Maxx, he describes him as a homeless person. While I'm not sure if the ludicrous nature of it was on purpose, I couldn't help but chuckle at the idea this huge purple monster with a severe overbite was supposed to be mistaken as a regular homeless person. Greatest detective my ass.
The art is great though. While the flow in the paneling could use a great deal of work, how the characters are drawn and framed are damn near perfect. I'd probably prefer a book without wording and just the art. If there's one thing I'd have to judge against it, is that the amount of work and detail seem to hinder on the distance. The further the character(s) are away, the less amount of detail goes into the page. There is a slight, but noticeable, change from up close of a characters' face that looks degraded if the page shows the same character from the waist up. Then if you get far enough away that the characters are in the distance, they look only slightly better than stick figures. I don't mean to take away from the insane talent on display, but I also couldn't help but mention it.
I'll admit that I wasn't familiar with the Maxx character before diving into this book. But I don't think knowing more would have helped my opinion. Characterization and plot dynamics aren't the huge problems here. Especially when you consider how the book goes out of its way to explain everything to you. The whole writing side of things just feels clunky. I was glad I was exposed to such great art but reading it felt like driving over grassy hills in a 2WD sedan.
August 3, 2021
I'm really torn on this one. Five issues of Sam Kieth writing and drawing The Maxx, Julie, Mr. Gone, the Outback, etc, again is all I have wanted for the past decade. I was obsessed with The Maxx (and Kieth's work in general) as a kid. I met Sam at NY Comic Con a few years ago and showed him a giant stack of school papers where I had doodled his characters during long boring days in class.
But being such a huge fan, I just couldn't stop wondering when this comic takes place. At first it seems like a "lost" story that takes place before the first few issues of the original comic, but then they start saying they haven't seen each other in a long time, vague references to things that happened later...etc...And with Batman there that really messes the whole thing up (I've never thought Kieth is great at nailing Batman dialogue, it just doesn't quite feel right to me, but that's another issue though.)
The last issue seemed to be hinting that this was sort of a coda to his The Maxx series, but so many questions...why would he be in the purple suit again? Julie hasn't aged? Why is Mr. Gone still Mr. Gone? How are these characters even EXISTING? If you read all 35 issues of The Maxx you'd know what I mean.
I'm giving it 4 stars because I love Sam and don't want this to have a poor rating. But I just have so many questions...
But being such a huge fan, I just couldn't stop wondering when this comic takes place. At first it seems like a "lost" story that takes place before the first few issues of the original comic, but then they start saying they haven't seen each other in a long time, vague references to things that happened later...etc...And with Batman there that really messes the whole thing up (I've never thought Kieth is great at nailing Batman dialogue, it just doesn't quite feel right to me, but that's another issue though.)
The last issue seemed to be hinting that this was sort of a coda to his The Maxx series, but so many questions...why would he be in the purple suit again? Julie hasn't aged? Why is Mr. Gone still Mr. Gone? How are these characters even EXISTING? If you read all 35 issues of The Maxx you'd know what I mean.
I'm giving it 4 stars because I love Sam and don't want this to have a poor rating. But I just have so many questions...
September 20, 2021
What the hell did I just read? Do I have a fever? Am I hallucinating? I know Batman and The Maxx is an unlikely team-up but I definitely wasn’t prepared for… whatever that was. I love Sam Kieth’s work - I think the original Maxx series (and cartoon) was a masterpiece of surreal trauma therapy - but I think Mr. Kieth might be getting high on his own supply. The storytelling in this is very flimsy and repetitive and Kieth’s style, as much as I love it, is not a good match for Gotham. There are certainly panels that are grotesquely beautiful but there’s also an unwelcome stiffness, too. It’s really hard to give this an accurate rating because it’s just so damn weird; it almost transcends normal conceptions of “good” and “bad.”
July 28, 2021
A book so bad it makes me wonder if The Maxx comics I grew up reading were actually as good as I thought. This book is utter nonsense, and it doesn't even try to be a coherent story. Batman is actually the best part of this 5 comic series, and that's saying something, since The Maxx is (was) my favorite comic book character of all time. Utter garbage.
August 1, 2021
It’s not a bad book , odd read and not what I’m used especially in a batman comic but all In all it was okay the plot was all over the place and it didn’t make a lick of sense but it was okay and im giving it a four for Batman and the characters i have known and loved.
December 19, 2020
The story is a convoluted mess. I was always a Sam Kieth fan, and expected a bit much from him. Nevertheless, his art is on point, which was the main reason I was hyped for this.
May 28, 2023
3.5 Stars
January 9, 2026
3,5
Extraño artefacto que funciona muy bien a novel estético y de trama alocada y psicoanalítica
Extraño artefacto que funciona muy bien a novel estético y de trama alocada y psicoanalítica
June 5, 2021
This review, with the exception of the first paragraph, should serve as a review to the entire 5 comic series.
After having a vague memory of “The Maxx” on MTV from my childhood and some of the comics from the first run, it was the 90’s, no one watch what we read or did, I decided to rewatch the series and subsequently read this short story ark (5 issues), this is the first of the 5, and I will post a final review here upon completion of all 5, so far it’s starting off as confusing and interesting as the original.
So from what I can gather Sam Keith was never a fan of his own creation, in my own personal opinion, it was because it never got the fan base he expected, even though it had a short 1 season run in MTV oddities, and a few toys come out (which I don’t think were his plan) it didn’t take the effect he wanted it to have, or the audience he intended for that matter. This being said, the first few books had a very interesting vibe, confusing, yet deep and engaging.
Now let’s get to this new series, same idea, there’s an outback, some sort of subconscious alternate dimension that somehow overlaps with our own, only this outback is damaged and in a state of decay, not that any other has been much better. The story tracks well, it is confusing enough and stable enough to keep it from becoming overly complicated, the art is great, in a very Sam Keith type of way, incredibly detailed and with the right mix of crazy, my only issue with it is how he wraps it up on issue 5, although I was prepared to see an open end, this felt incredibly lazy, predictable and flimsy at the same time. This being said, I enjoyed the full story as a whole, but I really wish Mr. Keith would try harder to stick to his point. Run it through regardless of how he feels people are perceiving his story.
After having a vague memory of “The Maxx” on MTV from my childhood and some of the comics from the first run, it was the 90’s, no one watch what we read or did, I decided to rewatch the series and subsequently read this short story ark (5 issues), this is the first of the 5, and I will post a final review here upon completion of all 5, so far it’s starting off as confusing and interesting as the original.
So from what I can gather Sam Keith was never a fan of his own creation, in my own personal opinion, it was because it never got the fan base he expected, even though it had a short 1 season run in MTV oddities, and a few toys come out (which I don’t think were his plan) it didn’t take the effect he wanted it to have, or the audience he intended for that matter. This being said, the first few books had a very interesting vibe, confusing, yet deep and engaging.
Now let’s get to this new series, same idea, there’s an outback, some sort of subconscious alternate dimension that somehow overlaps with our own, only this outback is damaged and in a state of decay, not that any other has been much better. The story tracks well, it is confusing enough and stable enough to keep it from becoming overly complicated, the art is great, in a very Sam Keith type of way, incredibly detailed and with the right mix of crazy, my only issue with it is how he wraps it up on issue 5, although I was prepared to see an open end, this felt incredibly lazy, predictable and flimsy at the same time. This being said, I enjoyed the full story as a whole, but I really wish Mr. Keith would try harder to stick to his point. Run it through regardless of how he feels people are perceiving his story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2020
Twenty years after Kieth ended his once-indispensable, consistently challenging and refreshing The Maxx series in a rambling, scattershot, and half-hearted finale, despite tying up the main plot threads and character arcs earlier, The Maxx is back—in a Batman crossover, of all things...
This is appalling. Absolutely devoid of plot or interest, or any reason to exist. To give it One Star is to over-praise it, but there is some nice painted art in the series, which otherwise looks like it was dashed off as quickly as possibly (it wasn't—two years passed by between issues three and four being published), with half-finished sketchy artwork and many pin-up-style splash pages, shoddy anatomy (even by Kieth's standards), and a rambling and incoherent plot (even by Kieth's standards) which vacillates back and forth, giving nothing for the characters to do other than walk from place to place, observing and commenting on weirdness, with dialogue so disconnected and disparate it looks to have been written in afterwards, Marvel style, by someone given only the art, but no script to work from.
A shameless cash-in on the Batman name, with nothing to appeal to Batman fans, and offers only disappointment and frustration for Maxx readers.
This is appalling. Absolutely devoid of plot or interest, or any reason to exist. To give it One Star is to over-praise it, but there is some nice painted art in the series, which otherwise looks like it was dashed off as quickly as possibly (it wasn't—two years passed by between issues three and four being published), with half-finished sketchy artwork and many pin-up-style splash pages, shoddy anatomy (even by Kieth's standards), and a rambling and incoherent plot (even by Kieth's standards) which vacillates back and forth, giving nothing for the characters to do other than walk from place to place, observing and commenting on weirdness, with dialogue so disconnected and disparate it looks to have been written in afterwards, Marvel style, by someone given only the art, but no script to work from.
A shameless cash-in on the Batman name, with nothing to appeal to Batman fans, and offers only disappointment and frustration for Maxx readers.
May 9, 2021
2.5 of 5
It's been probably decades since I read the original Maxx series so I was quite excited to see this one come out. What happens when Batman, the most logical detective of the DC universe butts heads with the metaphysical world of THE MAXX? Ends up not much of anything. Story wise there's nothing really here with all five issues feeling padded despite being short. Worse, neither character comes out gaining anything. The art is great, with Kieth doing his versions of Batman and Batman characters in his style which is odd and wonderful. Too bad there's no story to put that art against.
At this point in my life, I imagine this will probably be the last Maxx and/or Batman series for me. Going out with a whimper.
It's been probably decades since I read the original Maxx series so I was quite excited to see this one come out. What happens when Batman, the most logical detective of the DC universe butts heads with the metaphysical world of THE MAXX? Ends up not much of anything. Story wise there's nothing really here with all five issues feeling padded despite being short. Worse, neither character comes out gaining anything. The art is great, with Kieth doing his versions of Batman and Batman characters in his style which is odd and wonderful. Too bad there's no story to put that art against.
At this point in my life, I imagine this will probably be the last Maxx and/or Batman series for me. Going out with a whimper.
February 28, 2022
Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams. This is for people who like The Maxx and having characters more in emotional rather than physical jeopardy. Batman fans who are unfamiliar with Sam Keith's work will be lost and ultimately disappointed. It is esoteric, symbolic, and might not make sense to those who aren't used to the style of the Maxx. The art is fantastic as usual and people might want to buy the book for that reason alone. It was a nice return to the Outback of the Maxx, but his playground doesn't mesh well with others for reasons shown in this book. Maxx is at his best when he stands alone.
August 13, 2021
this crossover is a bit up and down with this one and may need to read it all over again. Been a fan of the Maxx and some batman titles I was naturally intrigued by this crossover, as bizarre as it seems. the story is all over the place and seems to mix up both parallels of the Maxx before and after that followed the series, so it's all confusing. the art on the other hand is very good. Sam's design on batman and his art style is still interesting. for newbies, I'd suggest diving into the Maxx series before reading this, because as stated it's really hard to follow.
September 16, 2021
Big potential, but nothing really happens and then it's all wrapped up. The art is beautiful as always, but the story just sort of peters out. A lot of loose ends and little explanation. Bringing back Mr. Gone as an evil genius feels out of place from where the original story ended.
Even for a die hard Maxx fan, this is a disappointment. I had high hopes, especially since the book looks long, but there a big art gallery at the end.
Even for a die hard Maxx fan, this is a disappointment. I had high hopes, especially since the book looks long, but there a big art gallery at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2022
Great artwork, mediocre story
I was really drawn to this book for some reason, and I don't know anything about the Maxx. He's a fun character but the story is not the greatest. It's still worth checking out, I can see the appeal but I'm more of a straight ahead DC fan for better or worse
I was really drawn to this book for some reason, and I don't know anything about the Maxx. He's a fun character but the story is not the greatest. It's still worth checking out, I can see the appeal but I'm more of a straight ahead DC fan for better or worse
March 1, 2022
Sam Keith draws the worst Batman of anyone. And his art looks amateurish too often. I like cartoony, but how about consistency? And all the nonsense surrounding the Maxx does nothing for me. Still finished it.
March 1, 2019
Slow beginning but builds to an exiting finish.
August 8, 2021
Was hoping for more... but I'm just confused.
August 8, 2021
Unexpectedly deep. I think I forgot how intense that show was since I watched it as a fairly young kid. It was interesting seeing Batman draw in a completely different style.
September 15, 2021
Terrible. Didn’t finish!
November 10, 2021
Sam Kieth's art is always fascinating, but every time I read works he wrote, I wonder why they let him write.
It's bonkers in a not-very-pleasing way.
It's bonkers in a not-very-pleasing way.
December 2, 2021
It's fun to get some new Maxx comics after so many years!
But they do fall a little flat.
They also I think kind of just ignore the plot/character development of most of the later Maxx comics?
But they do fall a little flat.
They also I think kind of just ignore the plot/character development of most of the later Maxx comics?
December 24, 2021
That was a challenge to get through.
It was a combination of barely any story with some interesting illustrations.
Ok, there might have been a story but it was incredibly incomprehensible.
It was a combination of barely any story with some interesting illustrations.
Ok, there might have been a story but it was incredibly incomprehensible.
February 8, 2022
A nice continuation or return to the Outback (with a restored landscape) but it doesn't have much to do with Batman.
It's good art, but such a banal and pointless story....
It's good art, but such a banal and pointless story....
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