Sam Kieth, the comic book artist and writer who co-created Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and later conceived the surreal series The Maxx, has died. He was 63.
Kieth was best known for The Maxx, a character who exists as a homeless man in the real world and a powerful superhero in a subconscious realm called the Outback. The series, known for its psychological depth and distinctive visual style, was adapted into an animated television show for MTV in the 1990s.
His early work included collaborating with Gaiman on the first several issues of The Sandman for DC Comics, helping to establish the series’ iconic look. Kieth’s artistic career spanned decades, marked by a unique, often unsettling approach to storytelling and illustration.