'The MAXX & Julie' graphite drawing

The Maxx is a unusually unique character and story line created by the late great Sam Keith. During my youth and teenage years in the early 90s, I was heavily immersed in the new wave of comic books and the artists it brought with it who left the big companies to start a new brand of rebellious art: 'Image Comics'. Within that special group of bold talent that spawned from the Image Comics group, Sam Keith's art and The Maxx stood out to me as this fresh breath of visual air that blew my mind because Sam Keith's style was unusual to see at the time in major publishing blending a whimsical, dark, raw, abstracted, over exaggerated and grimmy street art vibes which created a mixture of visual "aww" for a teenage kid who's dream it was to be a comic book cover artist. Nonethless, till this day The Maxx and Sam Keith have been a major inspiration in my work ever since.

 

This tribute graphite drawing / random study I started to work on between illustration and design projects to get a sense of breathability between these jobs turned out to be an ongoing piece I was sucked into. Inspired by the rawness of Sam Keith's work, I didn't hold back on getting a lil funky with this one as I drew inspo from my mind and what I remember from the pages of The Maxx without using anatomical references or any compositional copying whatsever. All raw and all straight from the dome as I had such a fun time in drawing this piece.

 

You are absolutely getting a pure drawing which showcases so much subtle storytelling from the original comic book with nods to other characters from the storyline *IYKYK* type stuff. This one means a lot to me as it is a way to tap into my past and my childhood memories as an inspiring artist.

 

This piece was created strictly with rare 0.5 vintage 2H Japanese Pentel leads from the 1970s with raw and rough hand rendering with realtime imperfections on a easily framable 8.5"x11" heavyweight paper cardstock.

 

1 of 1 artwork. NO AI.

 

_8.5"x11" ready to frame size

_graphite on heavyweight cardstock (graphite has not been treated fyi)

_produced at CulpritResearchProject Studios Glendale, CA 2026

 

*Collectors who would rather purchase this piece through text, email or Instagram DM via Zelle or Venmo payments are accepted. Please message me!

 

_$15 U.S Domestic shipping with tracking

*1-2 week business day shipping time AFTER your order has been completely processed

 

_$65 International shipping with tracking

*3-4 week business day shipping time AFTER tyour order has been completely processed (disclaimer: subject to customs delays depending on destination country AND all international buyers are responsible for all tariff fees upon delivery)