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MAX Comics is an
imprint Imprint or imprinting may refer to: Entertainment * ''Imprint'' (TV series), Canadian television series * "Imprint" (''Masters of Horror''), episode of TV show ''Masters of Horror'' * ''Imprint'' (film), a 2007 independent drama/thriller film ...
of
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
specializing in comic book media aimed at adult-only readers. It was launched in 2001 after Marvel broke with the
Comics Code Authority The Comics Code Authority (CCA) was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America as an alternative to government regulation. The CCA allowed the comic publishers to self-regulate the content of comic books in the United States. ...
and established its own rating system. The MAX Comics imprint is not Marvel's first effort in featuring explicit content in their titles. The company's
Epic Comics Epic Comics (also known as the Epic Comics Group)Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982. was an imprint of Marvel Comics from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ...
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. While some works such as ''
Alias Alias may refer to: * Pseudonym * Pen name * Nickname Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Alias'' (2013 film), a 2013 Canadian documentary film * ''Alias'' (TV series), an American action thriller series 2001–2006 * ''Alias the ...
'' have received acclaim, the imprint has attracted controversy, with some critics considering some of the titles to be gratuitous in its use of mature or vulgar content. Since 2012, the new works under the MAX imprint have been limited to the
Punisher The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle, born Castiglione) is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher made ...
series. Marvel now portrays MAX as a rating indicating mature content, rather than a separate brand.


History

The first series to be published under the Max imprint was ''
Alias Alias may refer to: * Pseudonym * Pen name * Nickname Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Alias'' (2013 film), a 2013 Canadian documentary film * ''Alias'' (TV series), an American action thriller series 2001–2006 * ''Alias the ...
'', written by
Brian Michael Bendis Brian Michael Bendis (; born August 18, 1967) is an American comic book writer and artist. He has won five Eisner Awards for both his creator-owned work and his work on various Marvel Comics books.Bendis, Brian Michael and Oeming, Michael Avon, ' ...
. Several limited series were then created specially for the Max imprint, such as ''
Apache Skies ''Apache Skies'' is a four-issue comic book limited series, published in 2002 by Marvel Comics as a part of that company's MAX imprint. The series was written by John Ostrander and drawn by Leonardo Manco. The series was a sequel to 2000s '' Bla ...
'' and ''Haunt of Horror'', but the majority of its publications were based around existing Marvel characters, such as
Howard the Duck Howard the Duck is a fictional Character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. Howard the Duck first appeared in ''Adventure into F ...
and
Devil-Slayer Devil-Slayer (Eric Simon Payne) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe. Publication history Devil-Slayer was cre ...
. One Marvel character who was revived by Max was ''
Rawhide Kid The Rawhide Kid (real name: Johnny Bart, originally given as Johnny Clay) is a fictional Old West cowboy appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A heroic gunfighter of the 19th-century American West who was unjustly wanted a ...
'' who in 2002 became the first openly gay Marvel comic book character to star in his own magazine. 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 John Powers Severin (; December 26, 1921 – February 12, 2012) was an American comics artist noted for his distinctive work with EC Comics, primarily on the war comics ''Two-Fisted Tales'' and ''Frontline Combat''; for Marvel Comics, esp ...
, now 86, with Ron Zimmerman, a television writer. Making the Rawhide Kid
gay ''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 1 ...
was Zimmerman's idea." The character's sexuality is conveyed indirectly, through euphemisms and puns, and the comic's style is campy. Conservative groups protested the gay take on the character, which they claimed would corrupt children, and the covers carried an "Adults only" label.


Criticism

Former Marvel president and chairman
Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...
openly criticized the Max imprint. Referring to an incident of strangulation with intestines in the 2001 '' Fury'' miniseries, based on the character
Nick Fury Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury Sr. is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer/artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, he first appeared in ''Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos ...
, 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".


Titles

* ''
Alias Alias may refer to: * Pseudonym * Pen name * Nickname Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Alias'' (2013 film), a 2013 Canadian documentary film * ''Alias'' (TV series), an American action thriller series 2001–2006 * ''Alias the ...
'' #1-28 (2001) * ''
Apache Skies ''Apache Skies'' is a four-issue comic book limited series, published in 2002 by Marvel Comics as a part of that company's MAX imprint. The series was written by John Ostrander and drawn by Leonardo Manco. The series was a sequel to 2000s '' Bla ...
'' #1-4 (2002) * '' Black Widow: Pale Little Spider'' #1-3 (2002) * ''
Blade A blade is the portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with an edge that is designed to puncture, chop, slice or scrape surfaces or materials. Blades are typically made from materials that are harder than those they are to be used on. Historic ...
'' #1-6 (2002) * '' Born'' #1-4 (miniseries, 2003;
Punisher The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle, born Castiglione) is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher made ...
MAX origin) * ''
Cage A cage is an enclosure often made of mesh, bars, or wires, used to confine, contain or protect something or someone. A cage can serve many purposes, including keeping an animal or person in captivity, capturing an animal or person, and displayin ...
'' #1-5 (2002) * ''
Dead of Night ''Dead of Night'' is a 1945 black and white British anthology horror film, made by Ealing Studios. The individual segments were directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden and Robert Hamer. It stars Mervyn Johns, Googie Wi ...
featuring'': ** ''the
Man-Thing The Man-Thing (Dr. Theodore "Ted" Sallis) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writers Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Gerry Conway and artist Gray Morrow, the character first appeared in ''S ...
'' #1-4 (miniseries, 2008) ** ''
Devil-Slayer Devil-Slayer (Eric Simon Payne) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe. Publication history Devil-Slayer was cre ...
'' #1-4 (miniseries, 2008) ** ''
Werewolf by Night The Werewolf by Night (usually referred to by other characters simply as the Werewolf) is the name applied to two fictional characters who are werewolves appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first incarnation of W ...
'' #1-4 (miniseries, 2009) * '' Deadpool MAX'' 1-12 (2010) * '' Deadpool MAX II'' 1-6 (2011) * '' Deadpool MAX X-Mas Special'' one-shot (2011) * '' The Destroyer'' #1-5 (miniseries, 2009) * ''
Doctor Spectrum Doctor Spectrum is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. There have been five versions of the character to date—three supervillains from the mainstream Marvel Universe belonging t ...
'' #1-6 * ''
Dominic Fortune Dominic Fortune is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Publication history Created by Howard Chaykin and based on the Scorpion, Chaykin's character for the failed Atlas/Seaboard Comics company, Do ...
'' #1-4 (2009) * '' The Eternal'' #1-6 (2003) * ''
Fantomex Fantomex is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is commonly associated with the X-Men titles. Fantomex first appeared in '' New X-Men'' #128 (August, 2002) and was created by Grant Morr ...
'' #1-4 (2013) * ''
Foolkiller The Foolkiller is the name of four different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Gregory Salinger made his live-action debut in the third season of the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series ''J ...
'' #1-5 (miniseries, 2007) * ''Foolkiller: White Angels'' #1-5 (miniseries, 2008) * '' Fury'' #1-6 (2001) * '' Fury: Peacemaker'' #1-6 (2006) * '' Fury MAX'' #1-13, also known as ''Fury: My War Gone By'' (2012) * ''Haunt of Horror'': ** ''
Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wide ...
'' #1-3 (miniseries, 2006) ** '' H. P. Lovecraft'' #1-3 (miniseries, 2008) * '' Hellstorm: Son of Satan'' #1-5 (2006) * ''The
Hood Hood may refer to: Covering Apparel * Hood (headgear), type of head covering ** Article of Academic dress#Hood, academic dress ** Bondage hood, sex toy * Hoodie, hooded sweatshirt Anatomy * Clitoral hood, a hood of skin surrounding the clitori ...
'' #1-6 (2002) * ''
Howard the Duck Howard the Duck is a fictional Character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. Howard the Duck first appeared in ''Adventure into F ...
'' #1-6 (miniseries, 2002) * ''
The Punisher The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle, born Castiglione) is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher made ...
'' #1-65 (2003); later ''Punisher: Frank Castle MAX'' #66-75 (2008) * Punisher MAX One-shots: ** ''Punisher: The End'' (2004) ** ''Punisher: The Cell'' (2005) ** ''Punisher: The Tyger'' (2006) ** ''Punisher MAX Annual'' (2007) ** ''Punisher: Force of Nature'' (2008) ** ''Punisher MAX Special: Little Black Book'' (2008) ** ''Punisher MAX X-Mas Special'' (2008) ** ''Punisher MAX: Naked Kill'' (2009) ** ''Punisher MAX: Get Castle'' (2009) ** ''Punisher MAX: Butterfly'' (2010) ** ''Punisher MAX: Happy Ending'' (2010) ** ''Punisher MAX: Hot Rods of Death'' (2010) ** ''Punisher MAX: Tiny Ugly World'' (2010) * ''
PunisherMax ''PunisherMAX'' is the second comic book ongoing series published under the MAX imprint of Marvel Comics featuring vigilante and anti-hero the Punisher. The series was written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Steve Dillon. Unlike the concurrent ...
'' #1-22 (2009) * '' Punisher MAX: The Platoon'' #1-6 (2017) * ''Punisher: Soviet'' #1-6 (2019) * ''The Punisher Presents:
Barracuda A barracuda, or cuda for short, is a large, predatory, ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus ''Sphyraena'', the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae, which was ...
MAX'' #1-5 (2007) * ''
Rawhide Kid The Rawhide Kid (real name: Johnny Bart, originally given as Johnny Clay) is a fictional Old West cowboy appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. A heroic gunfighter of the 19th-century American West who was unjustly wanted a ...
'' #1-5 (2003) * '' Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu'' #1-6 * ''
Starr the Slayer Starr the Slayer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in ''Chamber of Darkness'' #4, (April 1970), and was created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith. In 2007, writer Warren El ...
'' #1-4 (2009) * '' Strange Tales II'' #1-3 (2010, only #1 is under the MAX label, #2-3 are Marvel Knights) * ''
Supreme Power The Squadron Supreme is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, of which there are several notable alternate versions. The original team was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, derived from the previous ...
'' #1-18 (moved to the normal
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
imprint in 2006 under the name of its predecessor, ''Squadron Supreme'') * '' Supreme Power: Hyperion'' #1-5 (2005) * '' Supreme Power: Nighthawk'' #1-6 (2005) * ''
Supreme Power The Squadron Supreme is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, of which there are several notable alternate versions. The original team was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, derived from the previous ...
vol. 2'' #1-4 (2011) * ''
Terror Inc. ''Terror Inc.'' was an American comic-book horror series from Marvel Comics starring the antihero Terror, an eternal entity that absorbs the talents of others through their dismembered limbs. He was created by writers Dan Chichester and Margar ...
'' #1-5 (miniseries, 2007) * ''Terror, Inc. - Apocalypse Soon'' #1-4 (2009) * '' Thor: Vikings'' #1-5 (miniseries, 2003) * '' U.S. War Machine'' #1-12 (2001) * ''U.S. War Machine 2.0'' #1-3 (2003) * ''Untold Tales of Punisher Max'' #1-5 (2012) * '' War is Hell: The First Flight of the
Phantom Eagle Phantom Eagle is the name used by two fictional aviator heroes appearing in American comic books. The first character to use the name was teenaged Mickey Malone, a young aviator who appeared in the 1940s in Fawcett Comics publications depicting ...
'' #1-5 (2008) * ''
Wisdom Wisdom, sapience, or sagacity is the ability to contemplate and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. Wisdom is associated with attributes such as unbiased judgment, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, ...
'' #1-6 (2007) * '' Wolverine MAX'' #1-15 (2012) * '' X-Men: Phoenix - Legacy of Fire'' #1-3 (only issues #2-3 are under the MAX label, 2003) * ''
Zombie A zombie (Haitian French: , ht, zonbi) is a mythological undead corporeal revenant created through the reanimation of a corpse. Zombies are most commonly found in horror and fantasy genre works. The term comes from Haitian folklore, in whic ...
'' #1-4 (miniseries, 2006) * ''The Zombie: Simon Garth'' #1-4 (miniseries, 2007) MAX ''
Ant-Man Ant-Man is the name of several superheroes appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, Ant-Man's first appearance was in ''Tales to Astonish'' #27 (January 1962) but first appeared in costum ...
'' and ''
Deathlok Deathlok (also referred to as Deathlok the Demolisher) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in ''Astonishing Tales'' #25 (Aug. 1974), created by Rich Buckler. At least three subs ...
'' 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 In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 is the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place. History of the term The term was first used in "Rough Justice", a story credited to both Alan Moore and Alan Davis p ...
, the main
Marvel Universe The Marvel Universe is a fictional shared universe where the stories in most American comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Comics take place. Super-teams such as the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Guardians of ...
, while others like ''Punisher MAX'', ''Wolverine MAX'', ''Fury'', ''Deadpool MAX'' and ''Foolkiller'' take place in alternate universes.


See also

*
Marvel Knights Marvel Knights is an imprint of Marvel Comics that contained standalone material taking place inside the Marvel Universe ( Earth-616). The imprint originated in 1998 when Marvel outsourced four titles (''Black Panther'', ''Punisher'', '' Daredevil ...
, similar Marvel Comics' former mature-readers imprint *
DC Black Label DC, D.C., D/C, Dc, or dc may refer to: Places * Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia), the capital and the federal territory of the United States * Bogotá, Distrito Capital, the capital city of Colombia * Dubai City, as distinct from the ...
, DC Comics' current mature-readers imprint *
Vertigo Vertigo is a condition where a person has the sensation of movement or of surrounding objects moving when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. This may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties w ...
, DC Comics' former mature-readers imprint


References


External links

* *
Marvel.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Max (Comics) Publishers of adult comics Marvel Comics imprints