‘Sandman’ and ‘The Maxx’ Comic Book Artist Was 63

Sam Kieth, a renowned comic book creator known for his work on “The Maxx” and co-creation of “Sandman,” passed away on March 15 at the age of 63. The news was confirmed by his longtime friend and collaborator Scott Dunbier, who revealed that Kieth had been battling Lewy Body Dementia.

Born on January 11, 1963, Kieth embarked on his comic book career at the young age of 17, with his first published work appearing in Comico. Over the years, he worked on various projects, including iconic titles such as “Wolverine” in Marvel Comics Presents and “The Hulk.” In 1993, Kieth created “The Maxx” for Image Comics, a series that delved into themes of identity and reality. The series gained significant recognition and was even adapted into an animated show for MTV’s “Liquid Television,” as well as inspiring a line of action figures.

In a notable collaboration with Neil Gaiman, Kieth co-created “Sandman” and illustrated the first five issues for DC Comics. His artistic contributions extended to other comics such as “Zero Girl,” “Four Women,” “Ojo,” and “My Inner Bimbo.” Kieth’s diverse portfolio also included work on projects like “No Smoking,” a pilot for “Cow and Chicken,” and directing the film “Take It to the Limit” for Roger Corman’s Concorde-New Horizons.

In his later years, Kieth continued to make significant contributions to the comic book industry with works like “Batman: Secrets,” “Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious,” and “Lobo: Highway to Hell.” He also created the Batman/Maxx crossover “Arkham Dreams” for DC Comics, as well as lending his talents to titles like “Judge Dredd” for 2000AD and “30 Days of Night” for IDW. Unfortunately, Kieth retired from mainstream comics following the publication of “Arkham Dreams” due to health issues.

Sam Kieth is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy Kieth, and leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of comics. His unique art style and storytelling have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his work will continue to inspire future generations of comic book creators.