Smax
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Smax is a five-issue comic book limited series written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Zander Cannon and Andrew Currie, and published by the America's Best Comics imprint of DC Comics/Wildstorm. It is a spin off of the 12-issue series Top 10.
It concerns the adventures of the title character, Jeff Smax (born Jaafs Macksun), A gigantic blue skinned, white haired, super-powered, half-ogre, policeman who lives and works in a city populated entirely by super-powered beings. Smax and his friend and partner Robyn "Toybox" Slinger, leave the world of Top 10, largely an amalgam of science-fiction and superhero literature to return to Smax's homeworld on the occasion of his uncle's death. Smax's world is primarily informed by fantasy literature such as the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
The humorous tone caught most Moore fans off guard, as it was not quite as dark as his previous titles; still the title manages to touch on a number of dark topics, including alcoholism, prostitution and incest. The cartoony drawing style and "fractured fairy tale" content drew comparisons to Bill Willingham's "Fables" comic series, as well as Terry Pratchett Discworld novels.
Contents |
Plot summary
The story deals with Smax and Toybox returning, via magical teleportation, to Jeff's magically enchanted homeworld. Smax, now a city dweller, seems embarrassed by his unsophisticated, sword-and-sorcery roots. They attend Smax's uncle's funeral where Jeff introduces Robyn as his wife, though no such relationship exists. At this point we are introduced to Jeff's sister, Rexa Macksun, dresses in the typical garb of a female fantasy barbarian such as Red Sonya and just as tall and physically impressive as her brother with the same blue skin and white hair.
It's revealed Jeff hasn't come home in some time, having originally left his world fleeing personal and literal demons. Once a great dragon slayer, Smax failed to stop an extremely powerful, shape-shifting dragon named Morningbright from destroying a little girl, who was burned to ashes in front of him, forever leaving a white burnmark of a hand on his chest. Further story developments reveal a sexual tension between Smax and his sister.
The two were born of a union between a monster and a human woman who died in childbirth. Their monstrous father would abuse them both and molest the sister, who would also find love and solace in her brother's arms. Smax would eventually kill his father so they could escape together. Though in their medieval homeworld their relationship wasn't particularly frowned upon, Smax developed conflicted feelings about the propriety of their love.
Smax, Rexa, Robyn and a smattering of fantasy heroes begin a quest to destroy the dragon who caused Smax to flee at first in an attempt for Smax to sort out his past.
Publishing History
Indiviual Issues
Smax #1 - "Isn't it Good to be Lost in the Wood..." (20 August 2003)
w: Alan Moore p: Zander Cannon i: Zander Cannon c: Ben Dimagmaliw
Smax #2 - "...And Isn't it Bad, So Quiet There, in the Wood?" (17 September 2003)
w: Alan Moore p: Zander Cannon i: Andrew Currie c: Ben Dimagmaliw
Smax #3 - "The Grasshopper Green Burying-Band" (15 October 2003)
w: Alan Moore p: Zander Cannon i: Andrew Currie c: Ben Dimagmaliw
Smax #4 - "Trip, Trip, to a Dream Dragon…" (02 January 2004)
w: Alan Moore p: Zander Cannon i: Andrew Currie c: Wildstorm FX
Smax #5 - "Please Leave Us Here, Close Our Eyes…" (24 March 2004)
w: Alan Moore p: Zander Cannon i: Andrew Currie, Richard Friend c: Wildstorm FX
All of the issue titles are Syd Barrett quotes.
Collections
The series was collected into a hardcover edition in 2004 and in paperback on November 2nd 2005.
Hardcover: ISBN 1401203256 / Paperback: ISBN 140120290X