Unspoken Issues #168 - Friends of Maxx #1

"'96 Number Ones" rolls on with YOUR pick for our podcast discussion!In this episode of Unspoken Issues, Jesse Starcher and Chris Armstrong venture into one of the most unexpected corners of 1990s comics with Friends of Maxx #1 by Sam Kieth. Despite the connection to The Maxx, this isn't a superhero story at all—it's an emotional, slice-of-life relationship drama centered on Dude Japan and Mickey, two deeply flawed people struggling to hold their lives and relationship together. Jesse and Chris discuss the comic's surprisingly grounded themes of responsibility, personal growth, and emotional baggage, while exploring how Sam Kieth traded physical action for emotional conflict in one of the most unconventional Image Comics releases of the decade. Along the way, they reflect on Kieth's legacy following his recent passing, examine whether the story's imperfect protagonists are worth rooting for, and consider why this unusual comic earned its place as the winner of the Unspoken Issues 1996 #1s poll.