While his more human, real-world appearance is that of a homeless man living in a box, in Maxx's purple, monstrous form, he has super strength and large, indestructible claws. An unreliable narrator, Maxx believes it's his responsibility and duty to protect the social worker Julie (aka, the Jungle Queen in the Outback) from the villain, Mr. Gone. In our world, Mr. Gone is a criminal named Artemus Pender. However, in his other forms, he can control the Outback and leads an army of deadly, smaller creatures known as Isz. Over the course of the series, Maxx and Mr. Gone battle across different perceptions of reality.
The stylish comic constantly jumps back and forth between what's real and what's not. The Maxx recognizes the Outback as a different place, while Julie is unaware of the alternate reality. However, the comic eventually reveals a significant connection between the creation of The Maxx and the Outback and Julie's role in the creation of the otherworldly place. The story plays on trauma, delusions, and mental health and isn't for those looking for a light-hearted read.
The comic's acclaimed run lasted 35 issues, published from 1993 to 1998, and has been collected in different formats. In 2021, Kieth produced new illustrations of "The Maxx" for a collectible calendar published by Clover Press.
