Preview: The Maxx: Maxximized #26
The Maxx: Maxximized #26
Sam Kieth (w & a & c)
The origin of Mister Gone. ‘Nuff said.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Tag Archives: sam kieth
Preview: The Maxx: Maxximized #23
The Maxx: Maxximized #23
Sam Kieth, William Messner-Loebs (w) • Kieth (a & c)
Sara’s “Horse” Maxx takes her on a journey through a childhood maze of blankets draped over lawn chairs and there she discovers Artie/Gone in a surreal hallucination. Meanwhile a thug named Pablo picks the wrong dumpster to squirt mustard into… as the threat of the Yellow Slug looms.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Preview: The Maxx: Maxximized #22
The Maxx: Maxximized #22
Sam Kieth, William Messner-Loebs (w) • Kieth (a & c)
Future Sara is still adjusting to putting up with other people’s crap—her roommate Steve, his girlfriend Syke, and even elderly Mr. Gone who’s… well… gone fishing. To say nothing of the Giant Yellow Banana Slug who has surfaced once again.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Sam Kieth & Chris Ryall Team Up for Mars Attack
There have been many stories told in the Mars Attacks universe, but possibly never one quite like this. Beginning in May, Chris Ryall and Sam Kieth, the team behind The Hollows, join forces once again to tell the story of Mars Attacks: First Born.
First Born, a four-issue series written by Ryall from a story co-plotted by Ryall and Kieth, and featuring art and covers by Kieth, tells a deceptively quiet story of the aftereffects of the Martian invasion: in a devastated neighborhood, a few survivors try to rebuild their lives. One of those survivors is an infant Martian, left behind in the attacks. But was she left behind on accident, or as part of a more nefarious plan? Does nature versus nurture apply to horrible invaders from Mars? These are some of the themes being explored in this series. Also: giant bugs.
“This series is a multi-tiered love letter,” said series writer and IDW Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. “Every page shows not only the love Sam and I have for Mars Attacks, but also wild science-fiction tales from the past, the sorts of things Wally Wood drew in the pages of Weird Science-Fantasy and other EC comics. Our adoration of Wally’s work is front and center in this series, but 
it’s also a great next move for Sam and I after the working relationship we developed on The Hollows. And it surely gives Mars Attacks fans something special, in addition to also giving them some of the wanton carnage and gallows humor they’ve come to expect.”
The influence of classic science-fiction stories of years past extends to the variant covers for each issue, too. Artist Loston Wallace pays homage to classic Wally Wood EC covers in each image he’s creating for the series.
“Sam has been a friend to Topps for more than 20 years, and we’re happy to see him finally put his stamp on Mars Attacks,” says Adam Levine, Topps’ Head of Outbound Licensing. “His wild style and one-of-a-kind sense of storytelling will no doubt bring a fresh take to our classic Martians.”
Mars Attacks: First Born #1 (of 4) launches in May.
Sam Kieth’s The Maxx is back!
Sam Kieth’s The Maxx was a runaway sensation when initially published. Kieth’s exquisite artistry and quirky stories resonated with readers who had never seen anything quite like it before. Exploring the strange relationship between two realities, The Maxx follows the dual identities of a man caught between the real world and a heroic fantasy realm called The Outback. The Maxx ran for more than 30 issues and inspired a popular animated show on MTV.
Now, 20 years later, the striking series is returning to comic shops with fully re-mastered and re-colored printings of the classic stories, and all supervised by Kieth to ensure the highest possible quality. The Maxx: Maxximized will also feature brand-new painted covers by Kieth Additionally, IDW will—for the first time ever—release a series of hardcover Maxx collections. And if that wasn’t enough, there will also be Artist’s Editions enabling readers to finally see Sam’s beautiful and delicate line work as they never have before.
Kieth will also create a set of three comprehensive new art books called The Worlds of Sam Kieth that will showcase his incredible powers as an artist, but also tell the story of who he is and how he came to be the artist he is. The first volume debuted at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
Prepare to Enter The Worlds of Sam Kieth
Comics fans are in for a treat this June when IDW Publishing releases The Worlds of Sam Kieth, VOL. 1. 256 pages paintings, drawings, sketches and photographs, nearly all of which have never been seen outside of a lucky few. Sam Kieth has been creating his particular brand of vivid, gorgeous art for decades—from his break though success on Wolverine to his legendary series The Maxx, followed by Batman, Zero Girl, and many others, Kieth has astounded his rabidly faithful fans with his signature knack for eye-popping graphics and incredible stories.
Not a career retrospective, but rather, a glimpse into the realm of a constantly evolving artist as he unveils his secret worlds for the first time. This is a watershed release for a wide swath of fans and collectors that is not to be missed. And, rest assured, it’s only the first!
THE WORLDS OF SAM KIETH, VOL. 1 (HC, FC, $49.99, 256 pages, 8 ¾” x 11 ½”)
ISBN: 978-1-61377-492-2
Preview – Hellraiser Masterpieces #10
HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #10
Written by Nicholas Vicne and Peter Akins
Drawn by Sam Kieth, Dave Dorman and Lurene Haines
SC, 32pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER: John Van Fleet
Diamond Code: JAN120942
With Chapter 11 of “The Devil’s Brigade,” the epic tale of Leviathan’s most fearsome soldiers, Nicholas Vince and Sam Keith team up to bring you “Believe the Sinners.” Next, in “Songs of Metal and Flesh” by Peter Akins and Dave Dorman, will even the blind be spared the hooks of the Cenobites? From the darkest depths of the underworld comes another thrilling installment of Hellraiser Masterpieces!
Eisner-Winning Creators Tapped For Mars Attacks Ongoing Series
Official Press Release
EISNER-WINNING CREATORS TAPPED FOR MARS ATTACKS ONGOING SERIES
John Layman, John McCrea to reimagine cult sci-fi classic in June
![[Mars Attacks Cover]](http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/files/MarsAttacks_Cover.jpg)
San Diego, CA (January 23, 2012)— IDW Publishing and Topps are pleased to announce the multiple Eisner Award-winning creative team for MARS ATTACKS, an all-new ongoing comic series based on the fan-favorite Mars Attacks franchise.
Debuting in June 2012, IDW’s comic series will offer the first stories of an all-new Mars Attacks universe, bringing the brand’s outrageous action and dark humor to a new set of tales. Writer John Layman, author and co-creator of the Eisner-winning series Chew, will pen the series, with art by John McCrea, best known for his collaborations with Garth Ennis, including Eisner-winner Hitman.
“I’m a huge fan of Mars Attacks from a long way back. I own about half the original card set from 1962 and have a pretty big collection of collectables and doodads,” Layman said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to destroy the Earth and inflict huge degrees of suffering on the rest of humanity. With this Mars Attacks series, I finally get my chance.”
Created in 1962, Mars Attacks celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012 with major product launches throughout the year. IDW’s new comic series, as well as high-quality reprints of existing material, will be a cornerstone of that effort.
Originally published by Topps as a series of trading cards, Mars Attacks was created by Len Brown and Woody Gelman, after Brown was inspired by the Wally Wood cover to Weird Science #16 (EC Comics). The cards went on to achieve cult status for their then-shocking imagery—fully painted by pulp legend Norm Saunders and based on designs by Wood and Bob Powell—and remains a staple of pop culture. Topps revived the franchise in the mid 1990s with a second card set, comic book series and toy line. The story was also adapted into the 1996 feature film Mars Attacks!, directed by Tim Burton.
“We were excited to hear of the award-winning creative team that IDW had secured,” said Ira Friedman, Topps vice president of global licensing. “John McCrea was our first choice to illustrate Mars Attacks and we were thrilled that IDW was able to bring him aboard. His experience drawing over-the-top violence on comics like Hitman, Judge Dredd and The Boys, coupled with John Layman’s penchant for twisted, offbeat humor makes them the perfect team to relaunch Mars Attacks.”
MARS ATTACKS will include covers by McCrea and alternate covers by such comic-book luminaries as Sam Kieth, Ben Templesmith and Eric Powell. The first issue will also feature a unique approach to variant covers: It will ship with 55 different covers, each depicting one of the original trading cards from the debut set of Mars Attacks from 1962. A complete collector’s set of the 55 covers in a box that replicates the original card packaging will be offered separately as well.
MARS ATTACKS #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in June 2012.
Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. For information on Topps, please visit topps.com.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.
IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
About Topps
Founded in 1938, The Topps Company is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps leading sports and entertainment products include Major League Baseball, National Football League, WWE, UFC, Star Wars, Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company’s top confectionery brands include “Ring Pop,” “Push Pop,” “Baby Bottle Pop,” “Bazooka” bubble gum, “Sharkies” and “Juicy Drop Pop” products. For more information, visit www.topps.com.
For all the latest on Mars Attacks, follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarsAttacks
IDW Reviews – Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #1, HP Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror #1, 30 Days of Night #1, Cold War #1
Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #1
I went into this first issue a bit skeptical. The whole idea of a mash-up/crossover featuring the cast of Star Trek and Legion of Super-Heroes seemed silly. I dig the Trek, but haven’t been much of a Legion fan. So, I went into this expecting the worst. By the time I was done, I wanted to read the second issue.
Written by Chris Roberson, the comic’s first issue sees two stories that then merge into one. It’s not as straightforward as the Legion winds up in the Trek universe or vice-versa. There’s much more to it and it’s laid out in a better way. And for that well thought out plotting, the story really works.
The art is pretty decent, and I really dug the first few pages which I don’t want to spoil. The story itself also has a throwback feel to it. It’s not quite modern and gritty, this is a comic I might have picked up in the 70s or 80s (it’s not a bad thing).
The first issue is really all lead up. The two groups haven’t really met each other, and instead the focus is on the circumstances where they would. It very well could fall apart from here, but the first issue got me interested, and I went into this with a bad attitude. So for that achievement, I have to give the series some props.
Story: Chris Roberson Art: Jeffrey Moy Publisher: IDW Publishing
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy
HP Lovecraft: The Dunwich Horror #1
There’s two items here, a longer comic and then an illustrated story. There’s a lot out there based on the world of H.P. Lovecraft. The man is a godfather of modern horror. The stories also vary greatly in quality. This one follows an amateur group of ghost hunters who get together when one of theirs passes away.
The good is, I really dug the characters. Their interaction is very good. The bad is, the story itself is pretty forgettable. It blended into one of the numerous Lovecraft based stories I’ve read or even a general horror story. Nothing makes it stand out. It’s not bad in any way, it’s just not memorable. There’s a good chance this’ll read better as a trade or graphic novel once it’s completed.
The art for the comic as well as the “prose” part of it is very good. The second part especially, which I’d expect from menton3.
Overall, there’s nothing bad about this, just nothing where I can say it’s a must buy.
Story: Joe R. Lansdale and Robert Weinberg Art: Peter Bergting and menton3 Publisher: IDW Publishing
Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read
30 Days of Night #1
I’ve never read this series. I caught a bit of the movie, but really I know nada. That’s good, because going into this, I have no preconceived notions. There’s two parts to the story here, a battle that’s brewing between some vampire clans and also a woman who has a website that’s investigating whether vampires exist. The two stories together have an X-Files mashed up with Underworld feel about them. That’s a good thing because I really enjoy both of those pieces of pop culture.
Sam Kieth’s art just adds to it. I’ve loved his art work, it’s so unique that’s often imitated but rarely matched in it’s style and look. Here, it just fits. The art and story work so well together, I’m hoping this is a combo that’s here for quite a while.
Writer Steve Niles has done his job here, creating an entertaining first issue that’s good for both long time fans (there’s small items here and there I can tell they’d enjoy) and for new readers (like myself).
Story: Steve Niles Art: Sam Kieth Publisher: IDW Publishing
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Cold War #1
I like politics. I like noir. I like spy stories. Legend John Byrne has mashed all of those together in this new series that takes place during the Cold War featuring a British spy that’s part Bond and Bourne. The comic has that spy action movie cool about it, with the first ten pages being silent relying totally on the art to tell us what’s going on. And through those ten pages we get to learn a hell of a lot about the main character Michael Swann.
The story then focuses on a scientist that wants to defect. Swann is thrown undercover to figure out what’s going on. There’s a great mix of sex and action with an honest 50s/60s vibe that’s exuded by the classic Bond films. You can just here Sean Connery reading off Swann’s dialogue.
It’s just the first issue, but there’s a throwback feel to the series that reflects the time it’s set in. So cool and smooth, like it’s main character Michael Swann.
Story: John Byrne Art: John Byrne Publisher: IDW Publishing
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
Debut Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic Sells Out
Official Press Release
Debut Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic Sells Out
Second printing with new cover coming in October
![[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 Cover]](http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/images/Turtles_01_Reprint.jpg)
Just one week after the much-anticipated launch of IDW Publishing’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1, the highly praised comic is sold out from the distributor. IDW Publishing and Nickelodeon launched this new series on August 24th in comic stores throughout North America to rave reviews, leading to a run on the issue. While IDW is currently sold out, Turtles fans are encouraged to check with their local retailer for copies of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1 and to inquire about the second printing.
“The response to the debut issue of the series has been phenomenal,” said Greg Goldstein, IDW’s chief operating officer. “We are grateful to all the old and new Turtles fans who are supporting this series so strongly, and will be delivering the second printing as soon as possible.”
“WOW! What a wonderful welcome back,” said co-creator Kevin Eastman. “Although this never could have been possible without such amazing and creative teams at Nickelodeon and IDW to work with, NONE of it would have been possible without the love and support of such amazing TMNT fans!”
IDW’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES offers a brand-new take on the original series, led by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and co-writer Tom Waltz (Silent Hill: Past Life, Infestation: Outbreak). Phenomenal newcomer Dan Duncan brings the Turtles to life with dynamic interior art, while Sam Kieth and Walter Simonson provide eye-catching covers for issues 1 and 2, respectively. For issues 3 through 5, Fred Hembeck will pay homage to classic covers. Eastman also provides layouts for Duncan‘s art, as well as variant covers. The second printing of this sought-after debut comic up will feature a new variant cover by Eastman.
“When I first started working on IDW’s TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES with Kevin Eastman, Dan Duncan, and the rest of the IDW and Nickelodeon TMNT crew, I was excited and very optimistic about the possibilities. I mean, all the pieces were in place for a successful reboot,” said co-writer Tom Waltz. “But to have fans and retailers jump onboard in such huge numbers — and in such a positive fashion — has far exceeded even my own lofty expectations for our ongoing series. It’s already been an exciting ride and I couldn’t be happier or more thankful. And, knowing what we have lined up for future issues, I can honestly say the best is yet to come!”
This first TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES series features new and exciting storylines that maintain the “turtle power” core beloved by millions of fans. Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael reunite to bring their ninja aptitude and teenage attitude to these action-packed adventures. The first arc tells the origin story of the Turtles and introduces a new villain, the fearsome mutant alley cat, Old Hob. Featuring a cast of familiar characters, including Master Splinter, April O’Neill, Casey Jones, and true to the spirit of the original comics created by Eastman and Peter Laird, the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES are bigger and badder than ever, and ready to rock old and new fans alike.
In addition to this all-new series, IDW will also offer TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION. Beginning in October with volume 1, THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION offers over 300 pages of the best of the Turtles’ underground roots, including Mirage Studio’s issues 1 through 7, and the Raphael one-shot by Eastman and Laird.
IDW and Nickelodeon have a long-term commitment to revitalize the universe of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES comics and graphic novels. It’s all part of a larger initiative to bring Turtles to a new generation of fans, starting with these new storylines that recapture the magic of the original Turtles comics and continuing in 2012, when Nickelodeon will premiere a new CG-animated version of the wildly popular Turtles franchise.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is now available in comic stores throughout North America.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION, VOLUME 1 ($49.99, hardcover, 312 pages, black and white, 9” x 12”) will be available in comic and book stores throughout North America in October. ISBN 978-1-61377-007-8.
Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.
