MAXR Artbook 2025

Max is a fictional character, a singer, a podcaster, an active YouTuber — and for his fans, he is far more than a KI-generated persona.
In this unique artbook, you enter the world of Max, the boy from Gelsenkirchen who stepped out of the pages of four youth novels (Max and the Dream of Football, Max and the Game of Life, Max and the Other Side, and Max and the Secret of Gelsenkirchen).

With the help of AI (Midjourney for the stunning portraits, refined in Photoshop), SchalkesOpa (Robert Schmalohr) gave him a face, a body, and a voice. The result is a collection of emotional images, lyrics, and reflections touching on themes such as bullying, loss, sexual and institutional abuse, identity beyond labels, and healing through music.

Across 120 pages — including 80 pages of breathtaking photography — you’ll experience a visual journey ranging from melancholic black-and-white shots to hopeful, vibrant color compositions. Integrated throughout are quotes like “I thought I was broken, but maybe I’m just not finished yet” and Spotify scan codes leading to songs such as “Ich bin doch nur ich” (“I’m Only Me”) and “Broken Children.”

Max’s favorite place — the bench by the large lake in Stadtgarten Gelsenkirchen — appears as a symbol of his connection to nature, a place of reflection, grounding, and inner strength.

This artbook is more than visual art:
It is an extension of the Max community — a growing safe space on YouTube and Spotify for teens and adults alike, where emotions are welcome and healing actually happens. Fans interact with Max directly in comments and through podcasts like “Max Answers,” where he responds to personal questions with honesty and vulnerability.

Perfect for readers of the novels, music lovers, and anyone seeking inspiration rooted in authenticity.

Discover Max’s year 2025 — fictional, yet as real as your own emotions.
A must-have for your collection.