Max (comics)

MAX Comics is an imprint of Marvel Comics specializing in comic book media aimed at adult-only readers. It was launched in 2001 after Marvel broke with the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system.[2]

MAX Comics
The logo utilized for Marvel MAX Comics
Parent companyMarvel Comics
StatusActive
Founded2001
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationNew York City, New York
Key peopleJoe Quesada
Axel Alonso[1]
Publication typesComics

The MAX Comics imprint is not Marvel's first effort in featuring explicit content in their titles. The company's Epic Comics imprint in the 1980s and early 1990s often featured stronger content than their mainstream imprint. However, the MAX Comics imprint is the first time Marvel has specifically produced comics with uncensored content.

History

The first series to be published under the Max imprint was Alias, written by Brian Michael Bendis.[3] Several limited series were then created specially for the Max imprint, such as Apache Skies and Haunt of Horror, but the majority of its publications were based around existing Marvel characters, such as Howard the Duck and Devil-Slayer.

One Marvel character who was revived by Max was Rawhide Kid[4] who in 2002 became the first openly gay comic book character to star in his own magazine.[5] The first edition of the Rawhide Kid's saga was called Slap Leather. According to a CNN.com article, "The new series pairs the original artist, John Severin, now 86, with Ron Zimmerman, a television writer. Making the Rawhide Kid gay was Zimmerman's idea."[5] The character's sexuality is conveyed indirectly, through euphemisms and puns, and the comic's style is campy.[5] Conservative groups protested the gay take on the character, which they claimed would corrupt children, and the covers carried an "Adults only" label.[6]

Criticism

Former Marvel president and chairman Stan Lee openly criticized the Max imprint. Referring to an incident of strangulation with intestines in the 2001 Fury miniseries, based on the character Nick Fury, whom he co-created, Lee said, "I don't know why they're doing that. I don't think that I would do those kinds of stories".[7]

Titles

MAX Ant-Man and Deathlok miniseries were both solicited, but were cancelled before their release.

Some of the titles such as Alias, The Hood, Wisdom, Thor: Vikings and Apache Skies are considered part of Earth-616, the main Marvel Universe, while others like Punisher MAX, Wolverine MAX, Fury, Deadpool MAX and Foolkiller take place in alternate universes.

See also
  • Vertigo, DC Comics' mature-readers imprint

References
  1. "Entertainment News, Celebrity and Pop Culture - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  2. Jonah Weiland (July 5, 2001). "Marvel's New Ratings System... Explained!". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  3. Lee, Stan; Quesada, Joe (2008). Marvel Chronicle: A Year by Year History. London: DK Publishing. p. 307. ISBN 978-0756641238.
  4. Comic Book First: Gay Gunslinger, CBS News, 2002-12-11, retrieved 2009-03-21
  5. "Marvel Comics to unveil gay gunslinger", CNN, 2002-12-09, archived from the original on 2009-02-28, retrieved 2009-03-21
  6. Palmer, Joe (2006-10-16), Gay Comics 101, AfterElton.com, archived from the original on 2009-03-22, retrieved 2009-03-21
  7. James Adams, "Code Red in the New Comicdom", The Globe and Mail, May 2, 2002, p. R9
  8. "The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators". Maelmill-insi.de. 2015-06-28. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  9. "Aguirre-Sacasa talks "Dead of Night featuring Man-Thing"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  10. "WW Philly: Devil-Slayer Returns in "Dead of Night"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  11. "Warren Simons & Brian Keene On Max's Devil-Slayer". Newsarama.com. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  12. "Swierczynski on "Werweolf By Night"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  13. "NYCC: Kirkman Talks "Destroyer MAX"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  14. https://archive.today/20091126034834/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=154261. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. Ekstrom, Steve (July 13, 2009). "Return to Fortune: Chaykin on Dominic Fortune MAX". Newsarama. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  16. https://web.archive.org/web/20090519203358/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120373. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. https://web.archive.org/web/20071029033839/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120557. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. Haunt of Horror: Edgar Allan Poe at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20081208054457/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=150798. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. "Shout at the Devil: Irvine talks "Son of Satan"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2009-09-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "Heroes Con '09: Marvel's Starr the Slayer Returns". Newsarama.com. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  23. "HeroesCon: Way & Corben Talk "Starr the Slayer"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  24. https://web.archive.org/web/20081208054452/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=142228. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. "/404". Archived from the original on March 11, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  26. Singh, Arune (June 2, 2006). "Marvel Fanboys: Mike Raichit Talks 'Zombie'". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
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