MAX (comics)

The logo for the MAX imprint

MAX is an imprint of Marvel Comics aimed at a niche 'adults only' audience, launched in 2001 after Marvel broke with the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system. MAX titles are unique among Marvel's output in that they are free to feature explicit content similar to that of an R-rated movie.^[1]

The MAX imprint is not Marvel's first effort in pushing the boundaries of content in their titles. The company's Epic Comics imprint in the 1980s and early 1990s often featured sexual themes heavily.However, the MAX imprint is the first time Marvel has specifically produced comics intended for a niche 'adults-only' audience.

History

The first series to be published under the MAX imprint is the now finished Alias.^{[citation needed]} Several new series were then created specially for the MAX imprint, such as Apache Skies and Haunt of Horror, while the majority of its publications were based around existing Marvel characters, such as Howard the Duck, Devil-Slayer and Rawhide Kid.

Former Marvel President and chairman Stan Lee has openly criticized the MAX imprint. Referring to the Fury miniseries, based on the character Nick Fury, which 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."^[2]

The longest running MAX series is The Punisher.^{[citation needed]}

Titles

• Alias (2001)
• Apache Skies (2002)
• Black Widow: Pale Little Spider (2002)
• Blade (2002)
• Cage (2002)
• Deadpool Max (2010)^[3]
• Dead of Night Featuring:
  • Man-Thing (2008)^[4]
  • Devil-Slayer (limited series, 2008)^[5][6]
  • Werewolf by Night (limited series, 2009)^[7]
• The Destroyer (5-issue limited series, 2009)^[8][9]
• Doctor Spectrum
• Dominic Fortune (2009)^[10]
• The Eternal
• Foolkiller (limited series, 2007)^[11][12]
• Foolkiller: White Angels (limited series, 2008)
• Fury (2001)
• Haunt of Horror:
  • Edgar Allan Poe (3-issue mini-series, 2006)^[13]
  • H.P. Lovecraft (3-issue mini-series, 2008)^[14]
• Hellstorm: Son of Satan (2006)^[15][16]
• The Hood (2002)
• Howard the Duck (limited series, 2002)
• The Punisher: Born (limited series, 2003)
• The Punisher
• Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather (2003)
• Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu
• Strange Tales MAX (limited series, 2009)
• Starr the Slayer (2009)^[17][18]
• Supreme Power (Moved to the normal Marvel Comics imprint in 2006 under the name of its predecessor Squadron Supreme)
• Supreme Power: Hyperion
• Supreme Power: Nighthawk
• Terror Inc. (2007, limited series)
• Terror, Inc.: Apocalypse Soon (2009)
• Thor: Vikings (2003, limited series)
• War is Hell: The First Flight of The Phantom Eagle (2008)^[19][20]
• U.S. War Machine and U.S. War Machine 2.0
• Wisdom (2007)
• X-Men: Phoenix - Legacy of Fire (issues 2 and 3 of a 3 issue mini-series, 2003)
• Zombie (limited series, 2006)^[21] and Zombie: Simon Garth (2007)

MAX Ant-Man and Deathlok limited series were solicited but were cancelled before their release.

References

1. ^ Jonah Weiland (July 5, 2001). "Marvel's New Ratings System... Explained!". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24. Retrieved February 8, 2011. 
2. ^ James Adams, "Code Red in the New Comicdom", The Globe and Mail, May 2, 2002, p. R9
3. ^ "Deadpool Max (2010-2011) at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
4. ^ Aguirre-Sacasa talks "Dead of Night featuring Man-Thing", Comic Book Resources, February 13, 2008
5. ^ Richards, Dave WW Philly: Devil-Slayer Returns in "Dead of Night", Comic Book Resources, May 31, 2008
6. ^ Warren Simons & Brian Keene On Max's Devil-Slayer, Newsarama, June 3, 2008
7. ^ Swierczynski on “Werweolf By Night", Comic Book Resources, December 19, 2008
8. ^ NYCC: Kirkman Talks "Destroyer MAX", Comic Book Resources, April 19, 2008
9. ^ NYCC '08: Robert Kirkman on Destroyer MAX, Newsarama, April 19, 2008
10. ^ Ekstrom, Steve (July 13, 2009). "Return to Fortune: Chaykin on Dominic Fortune MAX". Newsarama. http://www.newsarama.com/comics/070910-DomFortune.html. Retrieved September 26, 2009. 
11. ^ MAX'ing Out The Future: Azel Alonso Talks Marvel MAX , Newsarama, July 11, 2007
12. ^ Gregg Hurwitz Talks Foolkiller, Newsarama, July 13, 2007
13. ^ Haunt of Horror: Edgar Allan Poe at the Comic Book DB
14. ^ Corben and Lovecraft at Marvel in June, Newsarama, March 20, 2008
15. ^ Shout at the Devil: Irvine talks "Son of Satan", Comic Book Resources, June 2, 2006
16. ^ WW Philadelphia - Axel Alonso on The Return of Hellstrom, Newsarama, June 2, 2006
17. ^ Heroes Con '09: Marvel's Starr the Slayer Returns, Newsarama, June 19, 2009
18. ^ HeroesCon: Way & Corben Talk “Starr the Slayer", Comic Book Resources, June 20, 2009
19. ^ Nick Lowe on Marvel Max's War is Hell series, Newsarama, January 7, 2008
20. ^ Laura Hudson, Ennis Moves from Punisher to Phantom Eagle, Publishers Weekly, February 19, 2008.
21. ^ Singh, Arune (June 2, 2006). "Marvel Fanboys: Mike Raichit Talks 'Zombie'". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7209. Retrieved 2009-03-11. 

External links

• MAX at the Grand Comics Database
• MAX at the Comic Book DB
• Marvel.com