Sam Kieth’s The Maxx hasn’t been seen in about a decade, but that changes in September when IDW Publishing and DC Comics come together to present Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams. The first issue of the five-issue miniseries, written and drawn by Kieth, will feature covers by Kieth and DC CCO/Publisher Jim Lee.
While The Maxx appeared in his own series in the 1990s, he actually debuted in 1983. Comico Primer #5 featured Kieth’s first-ever comic story and introduced The Maxx to the world. The character would go on to fight Mr. Gone and Isz for 35 issues from at-the-time fledgling publisher Image Comics, and even had his own cartoon on MTV. In addition to The Maxx, Kieth also co-created The Sandman with Neil Gaiman, and has worked on several Batman projects — including Arkham Asylum: Madness.
“Doing a Batman and Maxx crossover is like a family reunion with my favorite brother and our really cool cousin,” says Sam Kieth. “You never want it to end … or at least I hope you won’t!”
Here’s how IDW describes the book:
When a devious new doctor at Arkham Asylum conducts unconventional forays into the human psyche, he kicks off a disastrous chain reaction by experimenting on Arkham’s newest patient: The Maxx! The city of Gotham soon begins to merge with the Outback, The Maxx’s psychedelic mental landscape. It’s up to Batman to save Gotham and all of reality… but only by joining The Maxx on a trip into the darkest depths imaginable: the twisted minds of Batman’s greatest enemies!
“It’s always a pleasure to work with Sam Kieth,” said editor Scott Dunbier. “He puts his heart and soul into his art, and gives you something truly unique in the process. We can’t wait for people to see this!”
