Saturday, July 14, 2012

Alive at 25...

Weirdly enough, San Diego Comic-Con weekend occasionally makes me think of comics, and my own sporadically spastic dabblings in the funny book arts. The first published Sam & Max comic appeared on the stands just 25 years ago. Since then, the deranged little critters have clung to survival like a pair of mutant sewie rats, jumping aboard any form of media they could sink their nasty little claws into. But what lies in their future? What bits of folksy, gentle Sam & Maxish whimsy shall be revealed in the dawn of the next 25 years? And if you had a say, what would you want it to be?

79 comments:

  1. If I had a say in the matter, I'd say see if Pixar will let you do a silent short with your characters. But I already know where both they and you stand on the matter. Still, it would be nice to see the two back on TV on a regular basis or something, like on Adult Swim where you can get away with more.

    Either way, I'm looking forward to more Sam & Max content, be it in comics or games or something I'm not expecting!

    Happy 25 Years!

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  2. If I had a say, it would be for another animated TV series. This time, with none of the restrictions that come with children's programming, so the content better matches the comic's :D

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  3. More comics please.

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  4. A classic, 2D-style point'n'click adventure a'la the old "Hit the Road" game (or a redrawn "HD" re-release, with updated visuals and audio?). But re-releasing old stuff probably isn't that challenging, so I'd go for a neat, hand-drawn 2D adventure game instead :)

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  5. Gotta say it: more comics. More comics all the way. I love the tv series, I love the games, but I still feel they're somewhat... diluted. There's NOTHING like the comics in all their original, author-spawned glory.

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  6. I'd like to see them on legal tender. replace some of those boring dead guys on the US bills.

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  7. More comics pretty please with a dead sewer rat on top :)

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  8. Another video game from Telltale. They introduced me to the comics and TV series, and every season has gotten progressively more entertaining and more fun to play.

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  9. I keep wishing Year after Year after YEAR that you would do a short animated film about Sam and Max in collaboration with Pixar.

    I know that the world of Sam and Max doesn't really fit to the stories that Pixar does, but i believe deep in my heart that if Pixar would launch an experimental short film division, allowed to pursue short subjects with more adult humor, the results would be fantastic beyond words.

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  10. More funnybooks please. I love the cartoons and TellTales games, but I really wanto to see your art. It would be really awesome if it was in a larger format too, like those Alex Ross DC books released years ago.

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  11. Remake the sixteen Telltale episodes, with the classic voices this time! I keep asking Telltale to do this, but they are too satisfied with their own actors. This is probably one of the reasons why the current series is lacking... I hope that there is some kind of Kickstarter campaign to redub the series, or at least try to resurrect a cancelled Sam and Max project... if you did this, people WILL back it, I promise!

    P.S. PLEASE do this.

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    1. I have to say, I actually prefer the Telltale voices. The HtR voices make me feel all weird when I hear them now.

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  12. I think if the lovable duo had more merchandise, they would get the publicity they deserve. More merchandise for the diehard sam and max fans like us would be great to own.

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  13. New comics! Action figures! A cartoon on Adult Swim! An annual parade! Handguns! An ice show! A line of frozen foods! Women's underwear! Life-size rubber masks!

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  14. I's have to say what was just said, cartoon on Adult Swim would fit perfect for Sam & Max. An animated feature would be nice too. There's a lot of really good stuff going on in animation these days, be it with Pixar, Dreamworks, DCAU, or whatever. But a cool animated movie that acts as a sendup to noir flicks would be fun. It's a shame that Pixar and Dreamworks share a monopoly these days with animation in theaters, so I think it would be commercially relevant to allow an animated movie in theatrical distribution that is geared toward young adults and up

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  15. I'd love to see a new sam & max comics coming one of these days...

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  16. new awesome sam&max comics !!
    that would be so great!
    and thanks for all you already did..

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  17. I'd like to see Telltale rebooting the Sam and Max series. I think the current stories and characters have run their course and I'd love to see a new series with more input from you, and with an art style which more closely resembles that of the comics with a cel-shaded style look. I think that'd be awesome.

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  19. HD remake of Hit the road, or an animated movie, hell I'd settle for a proper European release of the animated series on DVD.

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  20. I'd definitely like to see the games go back to 2D. I'm sure it is possible to capture Sam and Max's personalities in CG but not with the small budget Telltale have. Hit The Road was so much more expressive and was fairly light on the animation by modern standards.

    It would be great to get them on TV again too and I reckon you have the fanbase and the clout to get on Adult Swim or something similar. If you could do that and get them back out in the public eye, the world would be your oyster.

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  21. kickstarter indie animated film?!

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    1. Well, well, I was interested in new comics but Bigdawg just convinced me. A kickstarter indie film would be definitely great.

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  22. I'm also all for more comics. My copy Surfin' The Highway is getting kind of dog eared and it'd be great to get a new book full of new content. Also anything animated gets my attention.

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  23. I'd love more comics. I'd settle for a 2D adventure game (now we have higher resolutions and anti-aliasing the spites could potentially look like their from a comic).

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  24. Definitely more comics - oh! Plus, plus! - a movie! In the style of the animated series, of course.

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  25. Whatever it is, I will be there expecting more of Sam & Max. I still remember those strips published on game magazines, which I cut and pasted on my notebooks. Then I bought the first game, the book (which I lost and recently bought again), the new videogames, only thing I'm missing is the TV series.

    Anyway, happy 25th anniversary and thanks for all the laughs!!!

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  26. Anything will do me, I need some more Sam and Max in my life.

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  27. I'd love some new comics/games/artbooks!

    Also, should you ever be in the need for 2D animators, be sure to send me an email :)
    www.KLOMPanimation.com

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  28. Comics and a Feature Film. (BluRay release with making of documentary and Production Artbook).

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  29. Well, more than anything, keep on treating the franchise in a way that flows naturally. S&M hasn't always been prolific, but everything it's done has been really well handled, and that's better than getting glutted with stuff that doesn't fit.

    Personally, I'd love to see anything you take a stronger hand in the writing and/or art of. The guys at Telltale are great, but I think traditional organic Purcell-derived Sam & Max just has a je ne sais quoi which knows no substitute. I know you're a busy guy, though... Just finish that one comic already. ;)

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  30. I second the HD remake of the original. I would also love more Telltale developed Sam & Max. Loved the last season--definitely superior to the first two they developed.

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  31. Sam & Max had such a distinctive, unique voice, and all I really want from them is something/anything written by Steve Purcell. Attempts by others to mimic this style of writing, like the Telltale games and the cartoon, have never quite managed to capture that magic, even if they may have been enjoyable in their own right.

    So comics, a game, a movie, I don't care, as long as you write it.

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    1. I strongly, strongly agree with this guy.
      As fantastic it's been, it's always had that special something when Steve Purcell is writing it.

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  32. I don't care what's in Sam and Max's future as long as there's something. I've loved everything the Freelance Police have been in, so any new content would make me happy.

    It would be nice if all the legal issues surrounding Hit the Road could be cleared up, though. An HD remake would be nice, but I'd settle for even a simple re-release on Steam and GOG.

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  33. Either comic or video game (season 3 was great !) but not animated series.

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  34. Although I really doubt that LucasArts could be convinced, a HD-remake of "Hit the Road" would be extremely cool, especially if you manage to make it look like your LucasArts-Adventurer comics (were those done in watercolors?)

    Also I REALLY hope that you and Telltale will continue with a Season 4, and finally release a Season 3 soundtrack!

    And I know that you've said that Pixar isn't the right studio for an animated "Sam & Max" feature film, but how about pitching it to another studio?

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  35. A comic version of "Beyond Space and Time".

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  36. Comics, toys, animation, PVC figures, a stuffed Sam...I mean Max, tv show, a hip hop album, an opera, a reality tv show, Sam as a judge on American Idol, Fizzball in the Olympics, and maybe get Alex Ross to do a serious painted comic so they look like a real dog and rabbit rather than this cartoony crap.

    Or what about a hot air balloon and a Monster Truck?

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  37. Congrats Steve - 25 is huge! I'm pretty much with everyone else here... action figures or vinyl and maybe a new mini-series would be great! :D

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  38. An illustrated novel of epic proportions would be delightful. If you don't have time to work on the novel part, I'd be happy to help out. :)

    I hope we're all still around to wish the boys a happy 50th. Cheers!

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  39. I'd like to see something in the area of finger puppets that are a little stretchy and have poorly applied paint. Some cup toppers with holes in them for a straw to fit in, but don't actually fit onto any cups. A spout to attach to milk cartons so that Max can puke his liquid white innards into my bowl of cereal each morning. Thus concludes the items to attach on the top of things.

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  40. Steve, go on Kickstarter and bring out new comics in a hardback form!

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  41. Would probably be most thrilled to hear about a new comic.

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  42. A Pixar short or full - length film.

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  43. I think with Season 3 Telltale got a lot closer to the spirit of the comics than with the first two. Its finale left me jonesing for more, so I'm hoping for a fourth season! Telltale finally seemed to get into a nice groove with those episodes and found a way to not recycle content too much.

    Otherwise: more comics, definitely! Nothing can beat that! :)

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  44. It will put a smile on my face to see a new comic series

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  45. It's a 25th anniversary celebration, so going all out for it is essential!

    All of these projects are worth pursuing. Season 4 of the Telltale game, Moar comics, and heck, Kickstarting an animated movie? that'd get funded in a day!

    You have quite possibly the two greatest "adult" toons ever under your control, Mr. Purcell. I eagerly await their next adventure, in whatever format.

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  46. I'd like to read new comics too!

    I read the original comics so many times and still when i lend them to my friends they come out with quotes or cameos I've never noticed before. this is one of the aspects i love the most about the comics.

    Btw, I wanted to doodle a small tribute of Sam for the 25th anniversary of the comics... here it is, hope you guys like it! =)
    [ LINK ]

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  47. More Comics! OH and a 2d side-scrolling platformer game. I would love to control Sam and Max in an action packed side scroller!

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  48. whoaaa stefano, that's super good!

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  49. More comics

    Telltale Season 4

    Hit The Road remade

    Reissued Age Of S&M and Effigy Mound

    Stuffed Sam and Max

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  50. Congrats, Mr. Purcell! Funnily enough, I was just playing "Hit the Road" on ScummVM last night before hitting the hay. I can't wait to see what the next few years bring for this great duo! :)

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  51. As a ridiculously long time Sam and Max fan, I kind of want to see more of your stuff outside of it.

    I really would enjoy more Toy Box stories at some point or any other original comic.

    An artbook of your work through the years would be really awesome too. The two Sam and Max sketchbooks were great, and to see a big book of so many of your paintings and concept art beyond Sam and Max would be the best(i.e., Toybox, Pin ups of other characters, Monkey Island production work, Monkey Island movie concept, any LucasArts work, abandoned comics, high school paintings, doodles, and Pixar work).

    I own Rogue Leaders (which is kind of a crap book honestly) and the Brave art book solely for your work alone. They are both kind of lacking in terms of your art work, which kind of sucks.

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  52. I would love to see another season of telltale games, An artbook would be amazing. Also SAM AND MAX ACTION FIGURES

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  53. Giant comical Sam and Max masks like the ones they wore in New Orleans in the comic.

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  54. More comics please!!! Also, is TTG gearing up for a Season 4 within maybe the next 2 years?

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  55. A new comic would be wonderful. An adult animated series on adult swim or FX, a HD remake of hit the road. All of these would be wonderful.

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  56. I'm thinking an online flash animation series in the style of, say Homestar Runner, could work...
    And of course another season of Telltale Games episodes.

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  57. Comics, TV, Movies, Video Games, there's so many different possiblities for this. Whatever you do end up doing, if anything is fine by me, but for once in my life I'd like to see a pair of officially made, fully poseable Sam and Max action figures, to love and cherish and hammer with a pipe wrench once the initial novelty wears off.

    (I would create my own, but sadly I lack the proper parts and I don't have any model glue.) :(

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  58. Congratulations on such a long and lovely career, Steve. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. When I was in middle school, and interested in becoming a cartoonist/artist, I wrote you a fan letter, and was amazed to receive a lengthy, informative, and hand-written response on S&M stationery. My respect for you as an artist was already super-high, but that considerate response shot my respect for you as a person through the roof.

    The comics have always been the most unfiltered (both in terms of avoiding bowdlerization and in terms of preserving a direct line to your authorial voice) incarnation of Sam & Max, and a new comic written and drawn by you would certainly be something to get very excited about.

    Some folks have mentioned an Adult Swim-type series, which could be interesting. Unlike the 'adult' Ren & Stimpy cartoons, which were weaker than the Nickelodeon stuff, I think there's ample evidence (in the games and comics) that Sam & Max would work very well in an adult-themed cartoon. Their classic cartoon style might not lend itself well to flash-type animation, but some Adult Swim shows like Venture Bros. manage to turn out a decent-looking cel-animated show on an Adult Swim schedule/budget. I worry that you involvement in such a show would be necessarily small, though, and it might consequently feel a bit 'off.'

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  59. I was 7 years old when my brother introduced me to Sam n Max Hit The Road and I've loved them since.

    Another game old school style would be just perfect. With HD Graphics cartoon style as if the comics got alive. Telltale 3D approach was not good, too clumsy graphics, not fluid movements and no rendered cutscenes ? Like the ones in Grim Fandango, that would have added some spice into Telltale Seasons. Just one game like Hit The Road would kick ass !!

    Congratulations on your career, you're a genius !
    Peace, Nacho.

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  60. Live action movie! If that's not possible I will settle for a new comic.

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  61. I vote for a 2D adventure game like Hit the Road at Double Fine this time

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  62. Ever play Saints Row the Third? How about Lego Batman 2? Try 'em out. I'd like to see something like that with a Sam and Max spin.

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  63. Clearly the next step is a radio play. Just make sure to get Bill Farmer back as Sam!

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  64. Steve, you should consider a Sam & Max Kickstarter campaign. I'm betting that you and your characters have just the right type of following to be a huge success on Kickstarter. Whether it be in the form of a comicbook, sketchbook, toys, or anything else... the backers will support you.

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  65. first of all, Congratulations Mr. Purcell for giving us the gift of 25 years of Sam & Max! as for the future: I wouldn't mind a reboot of Hit The Road, maybe a fresh new comic series, ...Sam & Max action figures that could choke all the cute big eyed lagamorphs if they're not played with right, aaaaand maybe a new tv series (Handled only by those who UNDERSTAND Sam & Max of course)

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  66. Congratulations!

    25 Years, a loooong time...

    I think it doesnt matter what you do with Sam & Max, just do anything!
    They where not having many Comissioner calls recently maybe you give them a call and find out how both of em are doing ?

    Just do anything with them!

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  67. I realize I'm jumping into this pretty late, but I've been a fan only since April of this year (thanks to my brother showing me a single episode of the TV series :D). First, congrats on 25 years! Second, if anything, I'd love to see more Telltale games (almost finished with season 3 here), possibly a second season for the TV series (the animation could be done paperless, but still hand-drawn), and a movie (CG or live-action with CG Sam and Max :D). Of course, there's also the standard call for plush toys XD But really, just seeing them having more adventures would be fantastic, regardless of the medium used (unless it's an extra-small medium... sorry, just some Agent Superball humor. Couldn't resist). I feel like with Sam & Max there's still so much that can be done story-wise.

    But about the movie, with Rainmaker Entertainment working on the Ratchet and Clank film (a video game film and all that), they might be a possible studio to pitch to, especially if that film does well. Granted, I'm not familiar with the rest of their work, but if they and Insomniac Games produce a great film, it could be worth a shot.

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  68. Well over a year late for this comment and it'll probably become musty and molded and forgotten relatively fast, but I'll voice a fan's wishes for the future of Sam & Max.

    Seeing an animated Sam & Max TV show or even a feature-length movie will make a devoted fan tizzy with excitement, but that would be very complicated to make, wouldn't it?

    Everyone here is mentioning about bringing back Hit the Road, which will be delightful (as well as it getting that HD remake that's popular these days).

    Kickstarter is often mentioned here and after seeing the success stories coming from there (from established and popular creators), there will be fans who'll gladly offer support. What about 'The Art of Sam & Max'? A reprint of the old comics? Or maybe an entirely new comics? How about all of that in one volume?

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  69. Heck, I'm a few years late to the party, but hey! Greetings Steve Purcell,

    First of all, thanks for commissioning the Sam & Max key chains via Symbiote. Being a new fan, I missed the Telltale merchandise as well as the Symbiote statues, so I'm glad I got something to represent my appreciation for the characters.
    I understand you're a busy man and you have a busy career and a family to attend to, but with next year being the 30th anniversary, will all of these plans you've alluded to finally come to fruition? Will we see a new comic? Will Telltale or a different studio handle a new HD Sam & Max game for the next generation? Will Hit The Road be remastered? Will the Sam & the Baboon comic finally be completed? You get the picture.
    This blog has been inactive for four years, and that in itself makes it a little discouraging and hesitant for me to fully embrace the prospect of a Sam & Max return next year.
    I dearly hope for something to come next year. And if nothing can fit in your schedule, just an estimate or an announcement of plans or something. Just something for us to grab on to.
    Few characters stand the testament of time for over 29 years and manage to come up with new, albeit inconsistently released, stories that stand on their own. A fresh and recent example to me is the 3rd season of Sam & Max, which helped for me to establish a greater connection with the characters beyond their wisecracks and cartoonish antics, placing the characters in new situations and separating them from one another to accentuate character development, following two earlier seasons of new situations and antics for the duo. Furthermore, the Big Sleep, a webcomic of 12-13 small panels, won the Eisner Award. For a comedic crime series about a six foot Irish Wolfhound dog detective and a (psychic?) sociopathic hyperkinetic Lagomorph, that's a pretty undeniable legacy.

    Here's hoping you and your family are doing well. Congratulations on your successes with Brave, Toy Story, the Cars series (maybe?), and countless more projects in the future.

    And here's to 30 years of cracking us up.

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