Sam Kieth

Sam Kieth's The MAXX [Closed Captioned]

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• published: 29 Jan 2010
• views: 4830

This seminal work in both art and psychology was first a comic book, and then later turned into a series by MTV spanning 11 of the issues of the comic book run. It was then released on VHS, and unfortunately, due to run time, edited from its original 11-episode run to 10 episodes. (The Hammer-head episode was removed). However, MTV has uploaded the original series, in its entirety and to boot, the episodes are in better quality than the VHS. To see it please go to: http://www.mtv.com/shows/the_maxx/series.jhtml _____________ About the series: (Taken from the MTV website). In the murky alleyways of New York City, homeless Maxx huddles in his box and dreams of crushing evil villains. But when he bursts into the colorful netherworld of the Outback, the Maxx is a hero, in full purple splendor. His friend Julie, a freelance social worker, thinks the Maxx's alternate universe is just an escape from the harsh reality of New York - not realizing that she, too, roams the Outback as the Jungle Queen. Based on comic book series created by Sam Kieth, The Maxx was adapted into an animated series that aired as part of MTV's Oddities in 1995. On MTV, the episodes drew from Kieth's Image Comics publication of The Maxx #1/2 and #1-11, while the comic book series encapsulates a total 35 issues and counting... Shortly after its original run on MTV, episodes of The Maxx were released on VHS. Now MTV has resurrected The Maxx online so that a new generation can discover the Outback and ponder the mysterious links of the subconscious. Join the Maxx for deliciously demonic adventures in both worlds, as he scours streets and jungles in search of the link between his two realities. Will he be able to find the connection before it's too late? ______ My Rant: In my experience the intelligentsia, and its wannabees, are always looking for the next "it" book. However ludicrous it seems to me, these people always look for their bookcase to be in vogue, with the latest editions of the best-sellers of The New York Times, The Oprah Bookclub, or The Pulitzer. I guess they like to appear well read and intelligent. However, they missed the boat on this one. One of the greatest literary and artistic achievements of the 20th century went largely unnoticed by them. However, it was lauded by comicbook fans, and subsequently, later by animation fans as well. I have a feeling one day academia will "discover" Sam Keith much the way they did James Joyce. At first, he was largely unknown. Loved by few, understood by less, and hated by many. "The Maxx" is our "Finnegans Wake." I hate drawing analogous comparisons betwixt two men, whose lives and works are completely different. However, it is the only way I know how to describe something completely new. As Heinrich Zimmer once said: The best things in life cannot be spoken of. There are no words to describe them. The Second best things in life are mere references to the first. And the Third are descriptions of the other two; this is conversation. Alas, perhaps in 50 years from now, those pretentious academics will say they "read" Sam Keith the way they do James Joyce. And, worse yet, they'll make a holiday out of his birthday and call it "Maxx Day". I weep for the future. Until then, it's our secret.