The Maximums were creations of the Joker and Mr. Mxyzptlk. They imagined a U.S. government sanctioned superhero team from a parallel world.
History
During a battle with the Axis of Evil, the Maximums encountered Superman and Batman from an alternate timeline, who claimed that Skyscraper murdered their Lois Lane. Superman killed Skyscraper and, after the ensuing battle with the Maximums, escaped via Boom Tube. With mysterious information provided by their fallen comrade, Bowman (who was actually impersonated by the Joker), the Maximums tracked Superman and Batman to their reality.
While Batman and Superman were fighting the Atomic Skull who was stealing a briefcase with radioactive materials in it from Wayne Tech, the Maximums appeared, seeking revenge. The Soldier fired a bullet at the Skull, and it passed through Superman's hand and caused the Skull to violently release a large amount of radiation that Superman acted to contain. Although Robot observed Superman's heroic act, Viking would have none of it. Soldier and Monster attempted to subdue Batman when Batzarro intervened, blinding everyone with his "smoke" bombs. Eventually, the Maximums were able to capture Superman and Batman, and returned to their world via Boom Tube.
After imprisoning Superman and Batman in Alcatraz prison, the Maximums underestimated the heroes, who easily escaped their prison. Superman fought Viking and Robot, of whom the latter no longer believed that he murdered Skyscraper, while Batman was attacked and defeated by Wolfen. However, the Bowman/Joker visited Lex Luthor and returned to the Maximums' reality and released the Kryptonite Man into an imprisoned Batman, possessing him.
The Kryptonite Man-possessed Batman fought with Superman while the Maximums argued over their fate. Superman used Robot's exterior armor to encase K-Man and force him out of Batman's body. Immediately thereafter, Bizarro and Batzarro appeared and attempted to rescue their idols, only for Batzarro to be stranded in the Maximums' reality.
Both Joker and Mxy then anticipated having the Maximums battle various versions of Superman and Batman: Joker wanted to kill "every Batman there ever was or there ever will be", while Mxy planned to free Darkseid from the Source Wall. However, Mxy had orchestrated this game into not only freeing Darkseid but Bat-Mite as well, as Mxy was unable to directly free his fellow 5th Dimensional imp, and had to have a creation of the Joker do it himself. He explained to Superman and Batman that they, Darkseid and himself would play a central role in an upcoming Crisis. When Mxy's plan came to fruition, the Maximums ceased to exist.
Members
Soldier
Soldier is the team leader of the Maximums. A military-minded and uncompromising leader, apparently the first "super-soldier" of his world. His son, Lucky (a pastiche of Marvel's Bucky), was also a super-soldier and was proverbially the only super-soldier to stay dead.
Viking
Viking is the Maximum's powerhouse. He is the son of the Ice-Giants and wields an axe carved from black ice by Ymir.
Robot
Robot is a living machine despite the public at large believing him to be a man in a suit of armor.
Skyscraper
Skyscraper, real name Harvey, is able to grow to 25 stories high and is the husband of Hornet. He is killed by a Superman.
Monster
Monster, real name Becky, is a little girl who transforms into a enormous creature with superhuman strength and durability, at the cost of a very low intelligence, when she is afraid. Curiously, although Becky is obviously female, "Monster" is referred to with male pronouns.
Hornet
Hornet, real name Jaime, is a human-insect hybrid and the wife of Skyscraper. She is able to shrink, fly, and sting.
Wolfen
Wolfen is some kind of anthropomorphic canine and is a feral berserker.
Bug
Bug is a smart-mouth teenage superhero with four arms and an ally of the Maximums.
Bowman
Bowman, real name Clive, was the archer of the team and is currently deceased.
Paraphernalia
Transportation:
Maxi-jet
Weapons:
Various (see Team Members)
Notes
- Obviously, the Maximums are a pastiche of Marvel Comics' Avengers and Ultimates, including the lower-case speech bubbles associated with the Ultimate Universe. Their "Maximums March!" battle cry homages the Avengers' own "Avengers Assemble!" The Maximums and their corresponding Avengers are:
- Soldier = Captain America
- Viking = Thor
- Robot = Iron Man
- Monster = the Hulk
- Hornet = Wasp
- Skyscraper = Giant Man
- Bowman = Hawkeye
- Bug = Spider-Man
- Wolfen = Wolverine