Sam Kieth is an American comics artist and writer, renowned for his distinctive and innovative work in the comics industry. He first rose to prominence in 1984 as the inker of Matt Wagner's Mage, where his unique brushwork added depth and texture to the series.

In 1989, Kieth illustrated the first five issues of Neil Gaiman's celebrated series The Sandman. Despite the critical success, Kieth departed from the series, feeling that his style was not the best fit, likening his situation to "feeling like Jimi Hendrix in The Beatles". He passed the mantle to his former inker, Mike Dringenberg.

Kieth continued his creative pursuits, acting as illustrator on two volumes of William Messner-Loebs' Epicurus the Sage and drawing an Aliens miniseries for Dark Horse Comics. He achieved a significant milestone in his career by creating The Maxx in 1993 for Image Comics, initially with writing assistance from Messner-Loebs. The series ran for 35 issues and was later adapted into other media.

His other creation, Zero Girl, also received critical acclaim, showcasing Kieth's ability to blend imaginative storytelling with his unique artistic style. Sam Kieth's contributions to the comics medium have left an indelible mark and established him as a seminal figure in the industry.