Robin Williams was well-known for his love of comics, a fact that was beautifully illustrated during his memorable appearance on HBO’s Comic Relief. Williams surprised comic book artist Michael Allred by donning a Madman T-shirt, a gesture that solidified his passion for the comic book industry and showcased the depth of his fandom.
In a recent Instagram post, Allred recounted how he had heard of Williams’ fondness for his iconic character, Madman. Seeing Williams proudly display the character’s T-shirt during the 1992 Comic Relief V event was thrilling for Allred, evidence that Williams was truly invested in the world of indie comics, especially as Madman had only recently debuted.
Williams’ Passion for Allred’s Madman Character
Get Your Copies of Madman from Dark Horse Comics
Madman, created by Allred, first appeared in “Creatures of the Id”in 1990, and quickly gained his own self-titled series thanks to Tundra in 1992. Madman’s true identity is Frank Einstein, a reanimated corpse brought back to life by scientists Dr. Boiffard and Dr. Flem. With remarkable agility, reflexes, and precognitive abilities, Frank embodies the adventurous spirit of Madman, the heroic protector of Snap City. Following Tundra’s closure, the series found a new home at Dark Horse Comics, which has since compiled his stories into hardcover Library Editions and plans to launch paperback omnibus collections starting next year, as reported in a recent announcement.
Williams wasn’t alone in his admiration for Madman. Kevin Smith featured Allred as a cameo in his film Chasing Amy, where he delivered the very first line of dialogue. Additionally, viewers can catch Ben Affleck’s character reading a Madman comic, and Jason Lee’s character sported a T-shirt showcasing Madman’s signature lightning bolt and exclamation mark. There was even talk of a Madman film directed by Robert Rodriguez, although this adaptation never materialized.
The Enduring Legacy of Madman in Comics and Film
Madman: An Indie Superhero with Hollywood Influence
Although Madman has yet to receive a standalone film, the affection from high-profile fans like Williams substantially elevates his status in popular culture. Allred has also contributed notable works on titles such as X-Statix at Marvel and iZombie at DC/Vertigo but continues to return to Snap City, bringing to life Frank Einstein and his companions, including his girlfriend Joe, alien ally Mott the Hoople, and robot clone Astroman. Fans are hopeful for more Madman adventures from Allred in the near future.
Alongside his love for Madman, Williams also had a keen interest in other indie comic series. Notably, artist David Mack shared a memorable story in the comments section of Allred’s post, recalling how the comedian once sent him a letter and a check to purchase back issues of the series Kabuki. Mack mentioned that Williams even gifted some of these comics to crew members on film sets, demonstrating the generous nature of his fandom.
Fantastic pic and story! [Williams] sent me a letter and check once to order Kabuki back issues. I later got a letter from a film crew member that he gave out some of those comics to the crew.
The evidence of Williams’ admiration for both Madman and Kabuki paints a picture of him as a genuine comic book enthusiast, eager to share his passion with others.
Source: Michael Allred
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