Sam Kieth, beloved comic book illustrator and writer, has sadly passed away at the age of sixty-three.
Kieth came into comics through the independent scene in the mid 1980s, working with Comico on the popular Mage and Fish Police titles. In 1989, his work came to greater mainstream prominence in DC Comics’ revamped The Sandman title, co-creating the new and enduring horror-themed character. That work would build and point the direction for the rise of DC’s stable of fantasy, horror and creator-owned projects via the Vertigo publishing imprint.
Kieth also had a turn at Dark Horse Comics, illustrating the brilliant four-issue horror miniseries, Aliens: Earth War. His turn at the popular science-fiction creation was animalistic, a perfect visceral representation of his art style. Here, the famed aliens were kinetic beasts, leaping horrifically from the dark to kill their prey while jump-scaring unsuspecting readers. One couldn’t help but turn pages again and again, voraciously reading and diving deep into the artwork of the story.
Perhaps his greatest and most beloved creation was The Maxx, published by the creator-friendly Image Comics. That complex psychological story, which he both wrote and illustrated, featured a hulking, purple-clad superhero and his inspiration, a blond-haired beauty, as both sets of characters simultaneously occupied two worlds: the one we know and the feral Outback. Lasting for 35 issues over 5 years of publication, The Maxx was adapted into a successful MTV Oddities animated television series, a role-playing game, and a video game. Over the last few years, a film version of the comic has been the subject of various discussions.
I first became aware of Kieth through the previously mentioned The Sandman series. His drawings echoed the art of ’70s underground and EC horror-themed comic book artwork: a style influenced by masters such as Bernie Wrightson, Wally Wood, and even Al Williamson. His work on that title was cartoonish at times but also dark and diabolical. His feral linework was grounded by absolutely beautiful panel and page layout designs, and even though his artistic influences were evident, Kieth’s work was always singular.
No one drew like Kieth.
A somewhat quiet and unassuming man, I saw Kieth at the 2012 San Diego Comic Con during the Sandman 25th Anniversary panel discussion. Along with co-creator and then-celebrated writer, Neil Gaiman, Kieth was brought on stage to cheers. Even though he was somewhat dismissive of his work and influence on that title, the crowd cheered him on enthusiastically, thanking him for some of the greatest comic book work and stories they had ever experienced. With all of the great artists that have been associated with The Sandman title, perhaps it was something that Kieth needed to hear.
Kieth was a singular talent. Certainly influenced by the greats that came before, he was an artist who blazed new directions in comic book storytelling, and his work entertained thousands of readers across a multitude of genres and decades of industry publishing.
His legacy will stand the test of time.
Rest in peace, Sam Kieth and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
