The Maxx (1995)
Listen now
Description
Based on the idiosyncratic comic series by Sam Kieth and William Messner-Loebs, The Maxx centers on a vagrant with delusions that he's a mighty superhero. While ineffective in the real world, The Maxx is powerful and important in the world of The Outback, a fantasy version of Australia that appears to be bleeding into reality. The Maxx's supporting cast includes "freelance social worker" Julie, a jaded rape survivor who helps/enables The Maxx. The main antagonist is Mr. Gone, a serial rapist who seems to have secret knowledge about Maxx, Julie, and The Outback itself. Roughly a third of a comic series was adapted into 13 animated shorts that appeared on the anthology program MTV Oddities. The show was met with low ratings and critical confusion before it was quickly canceled, but the property itself has endured to some degree in nerd culture ever since. VHS and DVD releases were coupled with a role playing game and an audiobook. The comic itself got collected into paperback in 2003 with a remastered version following ten years later. A feature film has been in development hell since 2019. Ryan is joined by Cheryl and Sylvan for an extensive discussion about this complex, singular, and surreal work of art. Talking points include the deconstructionist trend in 90's comics, how the feminine perspective is expressed in The Maxx, and what the show (and comic) have to say about rape culture. The philosophies of Camille Paglia, which are espoused by Julie in The Maxx, are given an examination as well. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support
More Episodes
This is the second film adaptation of Sheila Burnford's classic children's novel, but the first where the trio of animal protagonists have their thoughts conveyed to us through celebrity voice actors (Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche). Like in the book and in the 1963 movie, we center...
Published 06/02/24
Published 06/02/24
Filmed on a shoestring budget and released with modest expectations for box office success, A Hard Day's Night is a fluffy, goofy, and deeply unserious film that happened to capture one of the 20th century's most beloved cultural institutions at the apex of their popularity. The movie's...
Published 05/19/24