They’re merely a vehicle for the memorable comic dialogue, often brilliant deadpan commentary among chaos, ridiculous characters and the hilarious imagery. Purcell’s anarchic imagination isn’t confined to the stories, as these are punctuated by board games and other activities, including the notorious fizzball, basically softball with unopened beer cans and axe handles. It’s helped by some visually striking accessories, most prominently their second hand DeSoto police car, complete with markings and red flashing light. He modifies his style a little over the years, but this is one accomplished starting point, with great cartooning, impeccable storytelling and strong character design. Purcell arrives as the complete cartoonist from the opening story.
SAM AND MAX SAM SERIES
“Setting fire to oil on troubled waters since 1987” could be a series motto. Sam and Max themselves are endearing enough to sustain sympathy as their presence inevitably exacerbates already insane circumstances. The success or lack of it when applied to surreal absurdist comedy is dependent on a creative imagination, and Purcell possesses this quality in spades.
It was in comics that Sam and Max first appeared, and this relatively slim collection gathers their entire output. First published professionally in 1987, Purcell keeps returning to them as comics, a couple of hugely entertaining video games and even an excellent animated series. Sam and Max, originally considered freelance police, are a classic contrasting buddy duo of an ultra-violent naked rabbit, Max, and hound in a suit Sam, whose cases echo the anything can happen world of the classic Warner Brothers cartoons. Steve Purcell has for many years been a successful games developer, screenplay writer and animated film director, with a Toy Story short to his name, but has never shed a fondness for the madcap characters he and his brother created in childhood.
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