Mad Max: Fury Road (comic book)

Lore & Background

The series consists of four issues published monthly from May to August 2015. The first issue, Nux and Immortan Joe #1, details Nux's origins as a boy who climbs to the Citadel and earns his name, and Joe's rise from war veteran to warlord after seizing an aquifer. The second issue, Furiosa #1, covers her role guarding the Five Wives, her dismissal, and her plan to help them escape. The third and fourth issues, Mad Max #1 and #2, follow Max after Beyond Thunderdome as he wins a V8 engine in Thunderdome, battles the Buzzards, and rescues a child, only to see mother and child die. A bonus short story in the collection chronicles the War Rig's creation from scavenged parts and tragic histories.

Reader's Guide

The Mad Max: Fury Road comic series provides backstory for key characters in the film, expanding the wasteland lore. Its reception was mixed: the Furiosa issue was harshly criticized for its depictions of rape and characterization of female characters, with some critics saying it negatively affects the film. The Nux and Immortan Joe issue and the two Max issues were received more positively. Sales varied, with Max #1 selling nearly 80,000 copies and ranking in the top 12 by copies sold, while Furiosa #1 sold over 20,000. The series appeared on the Apple iBooks US Bestseller List for three weeks. Its significance lies in offering official prequel material authorized by Miller, though its uneven quality sparked debate among fans and critics.

Did You Know?

• Max #1 was the best-selling issue, with 79,955 copies sold.
• A single-volume collection includes a bonus short story about the War Rig's creation.