RIP The Sandman And The Maxx Co-Creator Sam Kieth

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Kieth on Sunday March 15, 2026.

Sam suffered from Lewy Body Dementia for several years. As per Sam’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, his family asks for donations to be made in his name to either Hero Initiative, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Sam began his career as a teenager. His earliest notable work was as the inker of Matt Wagner’s Mage: The Hero Discovered. In 1989, Sam co-created Sandman with Neil Gaiman and penciled the first five issues. That same year, he co-created the original graphic novel, Epicurus the Sage, with William Messner-Loebs. The following year, he and his longtime friend, Kelley Jones, collaborated on a beautifully drawn issue of the Incredible Hulk. The stunning art in that issue lead to a memorable series of Wolverine stories and covers in Marvel Comics Presents.

In 1993, Sam created The Maxx at the fledgling Image Comics, scripted by Messner-Loebs. A nervous sort, Sam was initially worried that the series would flop and Marvel would never hire him again. Thankfully, friends eased his fears and convinced him to go for it. The Maxx was a huge success, running for 35-issues plus a couple of spin-offs. Sam (and his wife Kathy) interacted with fans in the series’ letters page, which Sam felt was an integral part of the comic experience. The Maxx was also adapted (using Sam’s art) as a short-lived animated series.

In the early 2000s, Sam wrote and drew Zero Girl and Zero Girl: Full Circle and Four Women. These were intensely personal works by Sam and he was proud of them. If you are a fan of Sam’s stories but are unfamiliar with these, go check them out.

Sam also wrote and drew the mini-series, Batman: Secrets, as well as the Batman/Maxx: Arkham Dreams crossover which, because of the onset of his illness, was his last major work. Sam’s blog, Trout-a-Verse, is still available online, though; go to samkieth.blogspot.com to see some of his art and his wacky sense of the world.

Sam’s family, friends, and legions of devoted fans will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his wife Kathy and his mother, Sammie Robertson.