View source for Sam & Max

{{Short description|American media franchise}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox media franchise
|italic_title=force
| image = Sam & Max.png
| caption = Artwork of Sam (left) and Max (right)
| creator = [[Steve Purcell]]
| years = 1987–present
| comics = {{plainlist|
* Original run (1987–97)
* Webcomics (2005–2007)
* Collections (1995 & 2007)
}}
| atv = ''[[The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police]]'' (1997–98)
| vgs = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Sam & Max Hit the Road]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Sam & Max Save the World]]'' (2006–07)
* ''[[Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space]]'' (2007–08)
* ''[[Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Poker Night at the Inventory]]'' (2010){{ref|*|*}}
* ''[[Poker Night 2]]'' (2013){{ref|*|*}}
* ''[[Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual]]'' (2021)
}}
| footnotes = {{note label|*|*}}[[Crossover (fiction)|Crossover]] appearance
}}

'''''Sam & Max''''' is an American [[media franchise]] about Sam and Max, a pair of [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] vigilante [[private investigator]]s. The characters, who occupy a universe that parodies [[Culture of the United States|American popular culture]], were created by [[Steve Purcell]] in his youth, and later debuted in a 1987 [[comic book]] series. The characters have since been the subject of a [[Sam & Max Hit the Road|graphic adventure video game]] developed by [[LucasArts]], a [[The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police|television series]] produced for [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] in cooperation with [[Nelvana Limited]], and a series of [[Episodic video game|episodic]] adventure games developed by [[Telltale Games]]. In addition, a variety of [[machinima]] and a [[webcomic]] have been produced for the series.

The characters are based in a dilapidated office block in [[New York City]]. Sam is a six-foot-tall dog who wears a suit and a fedora, while Max is a short and aggressive "hyperkinetic rabbity thing". Both enjoy solving problems and cases as maniacally as possible, often with complete disregard for the law. Driving a seemingly indestructible black-and-white 1960 [[DeSoto Adventurer]], the pair travel to many contemporary and historical locations to fight crime, including the [[Moon]], [[Ancient Egypt]], the [[White House]] and the [[Philippines]], as well as several fictitious locations.

The series has been very successful despite its relatively limited amount of media, and has gathered a significant fan base. However, the franchise did not gain more widespread recognition until after the 1993 release of LucasArts' ''[[Sam & Max Hit the Road]]'', which cultivated interest in Purcell's original comics. ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' is regarded as an exceptional adventure game and an iconic classic of computer gaming in the 1990s. Subsequent video games and the television series have also fared well with both critics and fans; critics consider the episodic video games to be the first successful application of the episodic distribution model.

==Overview==
===Creation===
The idea of ''Sam & Max'' originated with Steve Purcell's younger brother, Dave, who invented the concept of a comic about a detective team consisting of a dog and a rabbit in his youth. Dave often left the comics around the house, so Steve, in a case of [[sibling rivalry]], often finished the incomplete stories in parodies of their original form, deliberately making the characters mix up each other's names, over-explain things, shoot at each other and mock the way in which they had been drawn, as "kind of a parody of the way a kid talks when he's writing comics". Over time, this developed from Steve merely mocking his brother's work to him creating his own full stories with the characters. Ultimately, in the late 1970s, Dave Purcell gave Steve the rights to the characters, signing them over in a contract on Steve's birthday and allowing him to develop the characters in his own way.<ref name="early years 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history1 |title=Part 1: The Early Years |work=The History of Sam & Max |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103224931/http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history1 |archive-date=2008-01-03 |publisher=[[Telltale Games]] |date=2007-06-12 |access-date=2008-12-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite video |people=Steve Purcell |date=2008-03-11 |title=A COMIC-CONversation With Steve Purcell!!! |medium=DVD |publisher=[[Shout! Factory]]}}</ref> In 1980, Purcell began to produce ''Sam & Max'' comic strips for the weekly newsletter of the [[California College of the Arts|California College of Arts and Crafts]]. While the visual appearance of the characters had not yet been fully developed, the stories were similar in style to those that followed when Purcell was offered by ''[[Fish Police]]'' author Steven Moncuse the chance to publish his work properly in 1987.<ref name="early years 2"/>

[[File:Steve Purcell APE 2007.jpg|thumb|right|''Sam & Max'' was created by Steve Purcell, who took a significant role in developing the later video games.]]
Many aspects of the ''Sam & Max'' comics were influenced by Purcell's own experiences. [[Rat]]s and [[cockroach]]es are common throughout the franchise, the former inspired by Purcell's pet rat. In another example, Sam and Max are occasionally shown playing a game called "fizzball", in which the object of the exercise is to hit a can of [[beer]] in mid-air with a solid [[Axe|axe handle]]. Purcell had previously invented the game with his friends, including fellow comic book writers [[Art Adams]] and [[Mike Mignola]].<ref name="early years 2"/>

===Characters===
<!-- This section is for commentary on Sam & Max themselves. Commentary on other reoccurring characters, such as Bosco and the Geek, should be left to the individual articles covering the media they appear in. -->
====Sam====
'''Sam''' is a laid-back but enthusiastic, brown-coated [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] [[Irish Wolfhound]], described as a "[[dog|canine]] [[Private investigator|shamus]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://samandmaxblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-kind-of-dog-is-that.html|title=Sam & Max: What Kind of Dog is That?|date=16 February 2011}}</ref> He wears either a gray or blue suit with a matching fedora, to make people more cooperative when conversing with a six-foot talking dog.<ref name="Sam bible">{{cite book|title=Sam & Max: Freelance Police Series Bible|first=Steve|last=Purcell|date=1995-10-01|chapter=Sam—Large, somewhat sincere dog|publisher=[[Shout! Factory]]|pages=4–5}}</ref> A warped sense of justice makes Sam the more passionate of the pair for their police work,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/objects/960/960029_biography.html|title=Sam (''Sam & Max'') Biography|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2008-12-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005231/http://uk.stars.ign.com/objects/960/960029_biography.html|archive-date=2011-07-13}}</ref> only held back from taking his job seriously by Max. Nevertheless, he enjoys the mannerisms and dress that come with their line of work.<ref name="Sam bible"/> Sam possesses near encyclopedic amounts of knowledge, particularly on obscure topics, and is prone to long-winded sentences filled with elaborate terminology. Although he is always keen to display this information—regardless of its accuracy—Sam can be capable of total ignorance towards more practical matters; for instance, despite his regard for his [[DeSoto Adventurer]], he is severely negligent with the car's maintenance.<ref name="Sam bible"/> Sam still retains various doglike qualities: he is excitable and enthusiastic, but also susceptible to emotions of embarrassment and guilt. Nevertheless, Sam is "not above sticking his head out the car window and letting his tongue flap in the breeze".<ref name="Sam bible"/> Sam rarely loses his temper, and is able to react to panic-inducing situations with extreme calm. When he does get angry, Sam tends to react in a violent, uncharacteristically savage manner, in which case Max usually calms him down and prevents him from acting upon his anger. Sam usually is armed with an oversized [[.44 Magnum|.44]] [[revolver]]. 

Sam is voiced by [[Bill Farmer]] in ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'', [[Harvey Atkin]] in the animated series and David Nowlin from Telltale's games onward.

====Max====
'''Max''' is an anthropomorphic "hyperkinetic, three-foot [[rabbit]]y thing" with white fur, but prefers being called a [[Lagomorpha|lagomorph]].<ref name="Max bible">{{cite book|title=Sam & Max: Freelance Police Series Bible|first=Steve|last=Purcell|date=1995-10-01|chapter=Max—Short, maniac lagomorph (look it up)|publisher=[[Shout! Factory]]|pages=6–7}}</ref> Max retains few characteristics consistent with a rabbit, with permanently rigid ears set in an excited posture and a huge jaw normally stuck in a crazed grin.<ref name="Max bible"/> Unhinged, uninhibited and near psychotic, Max enjoys violence and tends to prefer the aggressive way of solving problems,<ref name="Max bible"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/objects/960/960502_biography.html|title=Max (''Sam & Max'') Biography|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2008-12-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023110057/http://uk.stars.ign.com/objects/960/960502_biography.html|archive-date=2009-10-23}}</ref> seeing the world as little more than a vessel for his "pinball-like stream of consciousness".<ref name="Max bible"/> This creates a seeming disregard for self-preservation; Max will revel in dangerous situations with little impression that he understands the risks he faces. As a result, Max is usually enthusiastic to engage in any activity, including being used by Sam as a cable cutter or an impromptu bludgeon.<ref name="Max bible"/> Despite this, Max possesses a sharp mind and an observational nature, and enjoys interpreting new experiences in as unpredictable a manner as possible.<ref name="Max bible"/> However, Max has a distaste for long stories and occasionally loses focus during lengthy scenes of plot exposition; by his own admission, Max possesses a particularly short [[attention span]]. On top of this short attention span, it has been shown numerous times that Max has an extremely poor memory to go along with it. Despite his seemingly heartless personality, he believes strongly in protecting Sam, but Max can still act violently towards his friend, stating that when he dies he will take Sam with him. Moreover, Max is extremely possessive of Sam and their status as partners and best friends.<ref name="Max bible"/> Max traditionally carries a [[Luger P08 pistol|Luger pistol]], but as he wears no clothes, other characters often make comments as to where Max keeps it on his person.<ref name="Max bible"/> Purcell considers Max to be representative of pure [[Id, ego, and super-ego|id]], the uncoordinated instinctual trends of the human psyche.<ref>{{cite book |last=Purcell |first=Steve |title=Sam & Max: Surfin' The Highway|edition=Anniversary |date=January 2008 |publisher=[[Telltale Games]] |location=United States |isbn=978-0-9792576-2-9|chapter=Front cover flap}}</ref> 

Max's voice is provided by [[Nick Jameson]] in ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' and by [[Robert Tinkler]] in the animated series. [[Kid Beyond|Andrew Chaikin]] originally voiced Max in the first episode of Telltale's games before being replaced by William Kasten, while [[Dave Boat]] voices the character from ''[[Poker Night 2]]'' onward.

==Media==
===Comic books===
[[Image:Sam & Max Issue 1.jpg|thumb|right|''Sam & Max'' debuted in 1987, in a comic book series initially published by Fishwrap Productions.]]
Sam and Max debuted in the 1987 comic book series ''Sam & Max: Freelance Police'', published by Fishwrap Productions, also the publisher of ''[[Fish Police]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/frri/funanst.htm|title="Funny animal comics" (titles S-T)|publisher=[[Michigan State University]]|access-date=2008-12-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070829003238/http://www.lib.msu.edu/comics/rri/frri/funanst.htm |archive-date = August 29, 2007}}</ref> The first comic, "Monkeys Violating the Heavenly Temple", was Steve Purcell's first full story. The comic came about after Purcell agreed to create a full ''Sam & Max'' story for publication alongside Steve Moncuse's ''Fish Police'' series.<ref name="early years 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history1b/ |title=Part 1, cont'd: The Early Years |work=The History of Sam & Max |publisher=[[Telltale Games]] |date=2007-06-12 |access-date=2008-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105051631/http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history1b/ |archive-date=2008-01-05}}</ref> "Monkeys Violating the Heavenly Temple" established many of the key features in the series; the main story of the comic saw the Freelance Police journey to the [[Philippines]] to stop a volcano god [[cult (religious practice)|cult]].<ref name="early years 2" /> "Night of the Gilded Heron-Shark" and "Night of the Cringing Wildebeest" accompanied the main story, focusing on a stand-off with a group of gangsters in Sam and Max's office and an investigation into a carnival refreshment booth respectively.

Over the subsequent years, several other comics were published, often by different publishers, including [[Comico: The Comic Company|Comico Comics]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atomicavenue.com/atomic/IssueDetail.aspx?ID=44480|title=Sam & Max Freelance Police Special #1|publisher=AtomicAvenue.com|access-date=2009-06-08}}</ref> and [[Epic Comics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookdb.com/title.php?ID=4048|title=''Sam & Max Freelance Police'' (1992)|publisher=Comic Book DB|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> "Fair Wind to Java" was originally published in 1988 as a Munden's Bar story in the pages of [[First Comics]]' ''[[Grimjack]]'', featuring the Freelance Police fighting pyramid-building aliens in [[Ancient Egypt]], and was followed in 1989 by "On the Road", a three chapter story showing what Sam and Max do on vacation. In 1990, [[Christmas]]-themed story "The Damned Don't Dance" was released. 1992 saw the release of two further comics: "Bad Day On The Moon" took the Freelance Police to deal with a [[Cockroach|roach]] infestation bothering giant [[rat]]s on the [[Moon]], and was later adapted as a story for the animated TV series, whilst "Beast From The Cereal Aisle" focused on the duo conducting an exorcism at the local supermarket. Two more comics were produced in 1997, "The Kids Take Over" and "Belly Of The Beast". The former has Sam and Max wake up from cryogenic sleep to discover that the entire world is now ruled by children while the latter sees the Freelance Police confronting a vampire abducting children at [[Halloween]].

Purcell joined [[LucasArts]] in 1988 as an artist and [[game designer]], where he was approached about contributing to LucasArts' new quarterly newsletter, ''[[The Adventurer (magazine)|The Adventurer]]'', a publication designed to inform customers about upcoming LucasArts games and company news. From its debut issue in 1990 to 1996, Purcell created twelve comic strips for the newsletter. The strips portrayed a variety of stories, from similar plots as in the comic books to parodies of LucasArts games such as ''[[Monkey Island (series)|Monkey Island]]'' and ''[[Full Throttle (1995 video game)|Full Throttle]]'' and the [[Lucasfilm]] franchises ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones]]''.<ref name="golden">{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history2|title=Part 2: The Golden Era|work=The History of Sam & Max|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|date=2007-06-24|access-date=2008-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231125846/http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history2 |archive-date=2007-12-31}}</ref>

In 1995, all of the comics and ''The Adventurer'' strips published to that date were released in a compilation, ''Sam & Max: Surfin' the Highway''. Published by [[Marlowe & Company]], the 154 page book was updated and republished in 1996. This original version of ''Surfin' the Highway'' went out of print in 1997, becoming a high priced collectors item sold through services such as [[eBay]].<ref name="StH">{{cite web|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/36538/Sam-Max-Comic-Book-Series-to-be-Re-issued|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404104206/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/36538/Sam-Max-Comic-Book-Series-to-be-Re-issued|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 4, 2008|title=''Sam & Max'' Comic Book Series to be Re-issued|publisher=[[IGN]]|work=Voodoo Extreme|first=Gary|last=Lean|date=2008-02-06|access-date=2008-12-04}}</ref> In 2007, a 197-page twenty-year anniversary edition, containing all printed comics and strips as well as a variety of other artwork, was co-designed by Steve Purcell and [[Jake Rodkin]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Surfin the Highway Nominated! |date=21 April 2009 |url=http://spudvisionblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/surfin-highway-nominated.html |publisher=[[Steve Purcell]] |access-date=2011-11-30}}</ref> and published by [[Telltale Games]].<ref name="StH" /> This second publication received an [[Eisner Award]] nomination for "Best Graphic Album – Reprint" in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_main.shtml |title=2009 Eisner Nominations Spotlight Newcomers |publisher=[[Comic-Con International]] |access-date=2009-04-08 |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010161714/http://comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_main.shtml |archive-date=2008-10-10}}</ref>

In December 2005, Purcell started a ''Sam & Max'' [[webcomic]], hosted on the website of Telltale Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/community/comics/samandmax/issue-1|title=Issue #1|work=Sam & Max - Chapter One: The Big Sleep|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|first=Steve|last=Purcell|date=2005-12-09|access-date=2008-12-04|archive-date=2009-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201013355/http://www.telltalegames.com/community/comics/samandmax/issue-1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Entitled "The Big Sleep", the webcomic began with Sam and Max bursting out of their graves at [[Church of St Mary and St David, Kilpeck|Kilpeck Church]] in [[England]], symbolizing the Freelance Police's return after nearly a decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/community/comics/samandmax/issue-2|title=Issue #2|work=Sam & Max - Chapter One: The Big Sleep|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|first=Steve|last=Purcell|date=2005-12-28|access-date=2008-12-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226120924/http://www.telltalegames.com/community/comics/samandmax/issue-2|archive-date=2008-12-26}}</ref> In the twelve page story, Max has to save Sam after [[earwig]]s start a colony in Sam's brain. The webcomic concluded in April 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/community/comics/samandmax/issue-12|title=Issue #12|work=Sam & Max - Chapter One: The Big Sleep|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|first=Steve|last=Purcell|date=2006-03-18|access-date=2008-12-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226121935/http://www.telltalegames.com/community/comics/samandmax/issue-12|archive-date=2008-12-26}}</ref> and was later awarded the Eisner Award for "[[Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic|Best Digital Comic]]" of 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_07win.shtml |title=2007 Eisner Awards Shine Spotlight on Comic Industry's Best |publisher=[[Comic-Con International]] |access-date=2008-12-04 |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626060301/http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_07win.shtml |archive-date=2010-06-26}}</ref>

===Video games===
{{Video game timeline|1993=''[[Sam & Max: Hit the Road]]''|2007=''[[Sam & Max Save the World]]''|2008=''[[Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space]]''|2010=''[[Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse]]''|2020=''[[Sam & Max Save the World Remastered]]''|2021=''[[Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual]]''<br>''[[Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space Remastered]]''|2024=''[[Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse Remastered]]''}}
{{main|Sam & Max Hit the Road|Sam & Max: Freelance Police|Sam & Max Save the World|Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space|Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse}}

Following LucasArts' employment of Purcell in 1988, the characters of Sam and Max appeared in internal testing material for new [[SCUMM]] [[game engine|engine]] programmers; Purcell created animated versions of the characters and an office backdrop for the programmers to practice on.<ref name="Golden"/> In 1992, LucasArts offered Purcell the chance to create a video game out of the characters, out of a wish to use new characters after the success of its two other main adventure titles, ''[[Monkey Island (series)|Monkey Island]]'' and ''[[Maniac Mansion]]'',<ref name="retro review">{{cite journal | title = ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' | journal = [[gamesTM|gamesTM Retro]] | volume = 1 | pages = 128–129 | location = [[United Kingdom]] | publisher = Highbury Entertainment}}</ref> and after a positive reaction from fans to the ''Sam & Max'' comic strips featured in LucasArts' ''The Adventurer'' newsletter.<ref name="Golden"/> Consequently, development on a [[graphic adventure game]], ''[[Sam & Max Hit the Road]]'', began shortly after. Based on the SCUMM engine and designed by [[Sean Clark]], [[Michael Stemmle]], Steve Purcell and his future wife Collette Michaud, the game was partially based on the 1989 comic "On The Road", and featured the Freelance Police travelling across America in search of an escaped [[bigfoot]].<ref name="Golden">{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history2|title=The Golden Age|work=The History of Sam & Max|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|date=2007-06-26|access-date=2008-08-05|archive-date=2007-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630144852/http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history2|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sam was voiced in the game by comedian [[Bill Farmer]], while actor [[Nick Jameson]] voiced Max.<ref name="retro making of"/> ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' was originally released for [[DOS]] in November 1993.<ref name="20th">{{cite web|url=http://www.lucasarts.com/20th/history_2.htm|title=20th Anniversary: The Classics|publisher=[[LucasArts]]|access-date=2008-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623025112/http://www.lucasarts.com/20th/history_2.htm |archive-date=2006-06-23}}</ref> Soon after ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'', another ''Sam & Max'' game using SCUMM entered planning under Purcell and [[Dave Grossman (game developer)|Dave Grossman]], but was abandoned. In a later interview Grossman described this sequel's highlight as "a giant spaceship shaped like Max's head".<ref>{{cite journal|title=Sam & Max Unseen: The gorgeous nuggets lost forever|page=41|journal=PC Zone|publisher=Future plc|location=London|date=October 2006|issue=172|first=Will|last=Porter}}</ref>

[[Image:Sam & Max 3D.png|thumb|left|Sam and Max made their transition into 3D in 2006; Purcell wanted to ensure that Telltale's series matched the tone of the comics, both visually and in content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060726/cifaldi_01.shtml|title=Telltale Tells All (Pt. 1) – An Interview with Dave Grossman|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|first=Frank|last=Cifaldi|date=2006-07-26|access-date=2009-04-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509152341/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060726/cifaldi_01.shtml|archive-date=May 9, 2010}}</ref>]]

{{Anchor|Plunge Through Space}}
In September 2001, development began on a new project, ''Sam & Max Plunge Through Space''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mixnmojo.com/php/site/gamedb.php?gameid=103|title=''Sam & Max Plunge Through Space''|publisher=The International House of Mojo|access-date=2008-08-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080617105039/http://www.mixnmojo.com/php/site/gamedb.php?gameid=103 |archive-date = June 17, 2008}}</ref> The game was to be an [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] exclusive title, developed by Infinite Machine, a small company consisting of a number of former LucasArts employees. The story of the game was developed by Purcell and fellow designer [[Chuck Jordan (game designer)|Chuck Jordan]] and involved the Freelance Police travelling the galaxy to find a stolen [[Statue of Liberty]]. Infinite Machine went bankrupt within a year, partially due to the failure of their first game, ''[[New Legends]]'', and the project was abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history4|title=After Darkness Comes the Light|work=The History of Sam & Max|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|date=2007-07-24|access-date=2008-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105051637/http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history4 |archive-date=2008-01-05}}</ref>

At the 2002 [[E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)|Electronic Entertainment Expo]] convention, nearly a decade after the release of ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'', LucasArts announced the production of a PC sequel, entitled ''[[Sam & Max: Freelance Police]]''.<ref name="Freelance Police Telltale">{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history4b|title=After Darkness Comes the Light (Part 2)|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|work=The History of Sam & Max|date=2007-07-24|access-date=2008-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231125906/http://www.telltalegames.com/summerofsamandmax/history/history4b |archive-date=2007-12-31}}</ref> ''Freelance Police'', like ''Hit the Road'', was to be a point-and-click graphic adventure game, using a new [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[game engine]]. Development of ''Freelance Police'' was led by Michael Stemmle. Steve Purcell contributed to the project by writing the story and producing [[concept art]].<ref name="Freelance Police Telltale"/> Farmer and Jameson were also set to reprise their voice acting roles. In March 2004, however, quite far into the game's development, ''Sam & Max: Freelance Police'' was abruptly cancelled by LucasArts, citing "current market place realities and underlying economic considerations" in a short press release.<ref name="Freelance Police Missing">{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/502/502326p1.html|title=Missing in Action: The Lost Games of the PC, Part 1|website=[[IGN]]|first=David|last=Adams|date=2004-03-26|access-date=2008-08-07}}</ref> The fan reaction to the cancellation was strong; a petition of 32,000 signatures stating the disappointment of fans was later presented to LucasArts.<ref name="Freelance Police Telltale"/>

After LucasArts' license with Steve Purcell expired in 2005, the ''Sam & Max'' franchise moved to [[Telltale Games]], a company of former LucasArts employees who had worked on a number of [[LucasArts adventure games]], including on the development of ''Freelance Police''. Under Telltale Games, a new [[Episodic video game|episodic series]] of ''Sam & Max'' video games was made.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/sammaxep1/news.html?sid=6133326&mode=all|title=''Sam & Max'' resurrected|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Brendan|last=Sinclair|date=2005-11-15|access-date=2008-12-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717221302/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/sammaxep1/news.html?sid=6133326&mode=all|archive-date=2012-07-17}}</ref> Like both ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' and ''Freelance Police'', ''[[Sam & Max Save the World]]'' was in a point-and-click graphic adventure game format. The game used a new 3D game engine, different from the one used in ''Freelance Police''. The first season ran for six episodes, each with a self-contained storyline but with an overall story arc involving [[hypnotism]] running through the series. The first episode was released on [[GameTap]] in October 2006, with episodes following regularly until April 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/sammaxep1/news.html?sid=6157254&mode=all|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720035146/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/sammaxep1/news.html?sid=6157254&mode=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-20|title=''Sam & Max'' GameTap-ping October 17|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Tor|last=Thorsen|date=2006-11-08|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/sam-max-season-1-episode-6-bright-side-of-the-moon/|title=''Sam & Max: Season 1'' Episode #6: Bright Side of the Moon (PC)|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> Sam is voiced by David Nowlin, while Max is voiced by William Kasten in all episodes except the first one, where [[Kid Beyond|Andrew Chaikin]] voices the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:52166~T3|title=''Sam & Max: Season One'' Credits|publisher=[[Allgame]]|access-date=2008-12-06}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In addition, Telltale Games produced fifteen [[machinima]] shorts to accompany the main episodes. These shorts were released in groups of  three in between the release of each episode, showing the activities of the Freelance Police in between each story.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.machinima.com/channel/view&id=43 |title=''Sam & Max'' |publisher=[[Machinima.com]] |access-date=2008-12-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611132824/http://www.machinima.com/channel/view%26id%3D43 |archive-date=June 11, 2008}}</ref>

A second season of episodic video games was developed by Telltale Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason2/news.html?sid=6175655&mode=all|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723151557/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason2/news.html?sid=6175655&mode=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-23|title=''Sam & Max'' return for ''Season Two''|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Tom|last=Magrino|date=2007-07-26|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> ''[[Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space]]'' followed the same overall format as ''Save the World'', with each episode having an overarching storyline involving time travel and laundering of the [[Soul (spirit)|soul]]s of the dead.<ref name="Gspot S2">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124041417/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-24|title=''Sam & Max: Season Two'' Review|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Brett|last=Todd|date=2008-08-19|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> As with ''Save the World'', episodes were originally published on GameTap before being made available for general release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason2/news.html?sid=6175640&mode=all|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715073904/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason2/news.html?sid=6175640&mode=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-15|title=Telltale and Gametap Announce ''Sam & Max: Season Two''|date=2007-06-25|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> The season consisted of five episodes and ran from November 2007 to April 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/sam-max-season-2-/|title=''Sam & Max: Season 2'' Episode #1: Ice Station Santa (PC)|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/sam-max-season-2-episode-5/|title=''Sam & Max: Season 2'' Episode #5: What's New Beelzebub? (PC)|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> Nowlin and Kasten both returned to reprise their voice roles. In addition to the main games, a twenty-minute machinima video was produced, taking the form of a ''Sam & Max'' Christmas special.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://samandmaxchristmas.com/|title=Sam & Max Nearly Save Christmas|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|access-date=2008-12-06|archive-date=2008-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209065315/http://www.samandmaxchristmas.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A third game entitled ''[[Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702725/New-Sam-and-Max-Season-Will-Be-Called-Sam--Max-The-Devils-Playhouse.html|title=New Sam and Max Season Will Be Called ''Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse''|first=Stephen|last=Johnson|work=The Feed|publisher=[[G4 (American TV network)|G4TV]]|date=2010-02-22|access-date=2010-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601071851/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702725/new-sam-and-max-season-will-be-called-sam-max-the-devils-playhouse/ |archive-date=2012-06-01}}</ref> was scheduled for release in 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/876/876768p1.html|title=''Sam & Max: Season Three'' Coming 2009|website=[[IGN]]|first=Jimmy|last=Thang|date=2008-03-27|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> the title was later pushed back to 2010, with concept art emerging after Telltale's completion of ''[[Tales of Monkey Island]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5422199/sam--max-returning-in-2010-on-a-spaceship/gallery/|title=''Sam & Max'' Returning In 2010 (On A Spaceship?)|website=[[Kotaku]]|first=Luke|last=Plunkett|date=2009-12-09|access-date=2009-12-09}}</ref> The season again ran for five episodes, released monthly from April to August 2010. ''The Devil's Playhouse'' followed a structure similar to ''Tales of Monkey Island'', with each episode forming a part of an ongoing narrative, involving psychic powers and forces that used them for world domination. A two-minute [[Flash animation|Flash cartoon]] also accompanied the game, dealing with the [[origin story]] of General Skun-ka'pe, one of the game's antagonists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=286940&postcount=1|title=''Sam & Max Secret Origins: Skun-ka'pe''|publisher=Telltale Games|first=Shaun|last=Finney|date=2010-04-14|access-date=2010-09-04|archive-date=2012-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009223328/http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=286940&postcount=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Max also appears in Telltale's 2010 casual game ''[[Poker Night at the Inventory]]'' alongside [[Penny Arcade#Tycho Brahe|Tycho Brahe]] from ''[[Penny Arcade]]'', the Heavy from ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' and [[Strong Bad]] from ''[[Homestar Runner]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5624216/sam--max-team-fortress-2-penny-arcade-and-strong-bad-together-at-last|title=Sam & Max, Team Fortress 2, Penny Arcade and Strong Bad, Together At Last|publisher=[[Kotaku]]|first=Luke|last=Plunkett|date=2010-08-28|access-date=2013-05-05}}</ref> Sam and Max (now voiced by [[Dave Boat]]) also appear in the [[Poker Night 2|game's sequel]] alongside Claptrap from ''[[Borderlands (video game)|Borderlands]]'', [[Brock Samson]] from ''[[The Venture Bros.]]'', [[Ash Williams]] from ''[[Evil Dead]]'' and [[GLaDOS]] from [[Portal (video game)|''Portal'']].

A ''Sam & Max'' [[virtual reality]] game, ''Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual'', was developed by HappyGiant. Purcell served as a consultant for game design, Stemmle returned as designer and writer, [[Jared Emerson-Johnson]] returned as composer, and Nowlin and Boat returned to voice Sam and Max, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/sam-max-this-time-its-virtual-announced | title = Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual Announced | first = Jonathon | last= Dornbush | date = August 27, 2020 | access-date = August 27, 2020 | work = [[IGN]]}}</ref> The game was released in July 2021 for [[Oculus Quest]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-27|title=Sam And Max VR Game Gets July 8 Release Date|url=https://screenrant.com/sam-max-vr-game-july-8-release-date/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> with releases for [[SteamVR]] and [[HTC Vive|Viveport Infinity]] to follow in late 2021, and for [[PlayStation VR]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2021/03/31/how-sam-max-this-time-its-virtual-brings-the-comedic-crime-fighting-duo-to-vr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331121803/https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2021/03/31/how-sam-max-this-time-its-virtual-brings-the-comedic-crime-fighting-duo-to-vr|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2021|title = How Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual! Brings the Comedic Crime-Fighting Duo to VR| magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref> [[Remaster#Video_games|Remasters]] of all three Telltale seasons were released between 2020 and 2024. The remasters were developed by Skunkape Games, a studio made up of former members of the original development team and named in reference to the General Skun-ka'pe character from ''The Devil's Playhouse''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|title=Why a Group of Ex-Telltale Developers Are Bringing Back Sam & Max|date=November 9, 2020|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/akdgke/why-a-group-of-ex-telltale-developers-are-bringing-back-sam-and-max|access-date=November 9, 2020|publisher=Vice}}</ref>

===Television series===
{{main|The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police}}
''Sam & Max'' was adapted into a [[animated series|cartoon series]] for [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] in 1997. Produced by Canadian studio [[Nelvana]], the series ran for 24 episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nelvana.com/shows/shows_template.asp?sid=39|title=Show Synopsis : ''Sam & Max''|publisher=[[Nelvana]]|access-date=2008-12-06|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930194050/http://www.nelvana.com/shows/shows_template.asp?sid=39|url-status=dead}}</ref> Each episode was approximately ten minutes, and were often aired in pairs, with the exception of the first and last episodes, which were 20 minutes long.<ref name="AS episodes">{{cite web|url=http://www.nelvana.com/shows/episodes_template.asp?sid=39|title=Episodes: ''Sam & Max''|publisher=[[Nelvana]]|access-date=2008-12-06|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930194023/http://www.nelvana.com/shows/episodes_template.asp?sid=39|url-status=dead}}</ref> Broadcast on [[Fox Kids]] in the United States, [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] in Canada, and [[Channel 4]] in the United Kingdom,<ref name="Giant Bomb">{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/sam-max/62-380/|title=''Sam & Max'' (video game franchise)|publisher=[[Giant Bomb]]|date=2008-10-07|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> the first episode was aired on October 4, 1997; the series concluded on April 25, 1998.<ref name="AG animated">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/news/view/20142|title=''Sam & Max'' animated series heading for GameTap|publisher=[[Adventure Gamers]]|first=Eivind|last=Hagerup|date=2006-10-11|access-date=2016-09-04}}</ref> As opposed to the more adult humor in the rest of the series, ''The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police'' was aimed more at children, even though some humor in it was often directed at adults. As such, the violence inherent in the franchise is toned down, including removing Sam and Max's guns, and the characters do not use the moderate profanity that they use in their other appearances.<ref name="popmatters">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/sam-max-freelance-police-the-complete-series/|title=''Sam & Max Freelance Police'': The Complete Series|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|date=2008-03-11|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> As in most ''Sam & Max'' stories, the series revolves around the Freelance Police accepting missions from their mysterious superior, the commissioner, and embarking on cases to a large variety of implausible locations.<ref name="AS episodes"/> Sam is voiced by [[Harvey Atkin]], while Max is voiced by [[Robert Tinkler]].<ref name="popmatters"/> The series performed well and was considered a success,<ref name="Giant Bomb"/> and in 1998 received the [[Gemini Award]] for "Best Animated Program or Series".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://academy.ca/hist/history.cfm?categid=1013&shownum=13&winonly=0&awards=2&rtype=5&curstep=4|title=13th Geminis: Best Animated Program or Series|publisher=[[Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television]]|year=1998|access-date=2008-12-06|archive-date=2013-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203044850/http://academy.ca/hist/history.cfm?categid=1013&shownum=13&winonly=0&awards=2&rtype=5&curstep=4|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite the series' success, a second season was never commissioned.<ref name="Giant Bomb"/> In 2007, [[Shout! Factory]] acquired the rights for [[DVD]] release of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Sam-Max-Freelance-Police/7479|title=Sam & Max: Freelance Police—Our Highly Improbable Plan Worked, Sam|publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]|first=David|last=Lambert|date=2007-06-13|access-date=2008-12-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025093802/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Sam-Max-Freelance-Police/7479|archive-date=2008-10-25}}</ref> In October, as part of their marketing for ''Sam & Max Save the World'', GameTap hosted the series on their website.<ref name="AG animated"/> The DVD release of the series was later published in March 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=3944104|title=''Sam & Max Freelance Police: The Complete Series''|publisher=[[Shout! Factory]]|access-date=2008-12-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807090624/http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=3944104|archive-date=2008-08-07}}</ref>

===Music===
The ''Sam & Max'' franchise features a variety of soundtracks that accompany its video game products. This music is mostly grounded in [[film noir]] [[jazz]], incorporating various other styles at certain points, such as [[Dixieland]], [[waltz]] and [[mariachi]], usually to support the cartoon nature of the series.<ref name="IGN music">{{cite web|url=http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/799/799862p1.html|title=Playing it Cool: ''Sam & Max'' Swing a Record Deal|website=[[IGN]]|first=Alex|last=Van Zelfdendate|date=2007-06-27|access-date=2008-12-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514213327/http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/799/799862p1.html|archive-date=2011-05-14}}</ref> The first ''Sam & Max'' game, ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'', was one of the first games to feature a fully scored music soundtrack, written by LucasArts' composers [[Clint Bajakian]], [[Michael Land]] and [[Peter McConnell]].<ref name="retro making of">{{cite magazine | date= March 2006 | title = The Making of: ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' | magazine= [[Retro Gamer]] | first = Ashley | last = Day | issue = 22 | pages = 32–35 | publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]] | location = [[United Kingdom]]}}</ref> The music was incorporated into the game using Land and McConnell's [[iMUSE]] engine, which allowed for audio to be synchronized with the visuals. Although the full soundtrack was never released, audio renders of four of the game's [[MIDI]] tracks were included on the CD version of the game.

For ''Sam & Max Save the World'', ''Beyond Time and Space'', and ''The Devil's Playhouse'', Telltale Games contracted composer [[Jared Emerson-Johnson]], a musician whose previous work included composition and sound editing for LucasArts, to write the scores.<ref name="IGN music"/> The soundtracks for the first two games were released in two disc sets after the release of the games themselves; the ''Season One Soundtrack'' was published in July 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/store/snm-s1-soundtrack|title=Sam & Max Season One Soundtrack|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|access-date=2008-12-04|archive-date=2008-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217122401/http://www.telltalegames.com/store/snm-s1-soundtrack|url-status=dead}}</ref> whilst the ''Season Two Soundtrack'' was released in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/store/snm-s2-soundtrack|title=Sam & Max Season Two Soundtrack|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|access-date=2008-12-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121121718/http://www.telltalegames.com./store/snm-s2-soundtrack|archive-date=2008-11-21}}</ref> Emerson-Johnson's scores use live performances as opposed to synthesized music often used elsewhere in the video game industry.<ref name="IGN music"/> Critics reacted positively to Emerson-Johnson's scores, [[IGN]] described Emerson-Johnson's work as a "breath of fresh air",<ref name="IGN music"/> while [[1UP.com]] praised his work as "top-caliber"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3167552&p=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715235409/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3167552&p=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-15|title=''Sam & Max Season Two: What's New, Beelzebub?'' Review|website=[[1UP.com]]|first=Eric|last=Neigher|date=2008-04-23|access-date=2008-12-05}}</ref> and [[Music4Games]] stated that the "whimsical nature of [the classical jazz approach] is well suited to the ''Sam & Max'' universe, which approaches American popular culture with a level of irreverence".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.music4games.net/Review_Display.aspx?id=86|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821060920/http://www.music4games.net/Review_Display.aspx?id=86|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-08-21|title=Sam & Max: Season One Soundtrack|publisher=[[Music4Games]]|date=2007-08-06|access-date=2008-12-05}}</ref> Purcell later commented that Emerson-Johnson had seamlessly blended a "huge palette of genres and styles",<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Purcell|first=Steve|date=June 2007|title=Sam & Max: Season One Soundtrack|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]}}</ref> whilst in September 2008, Brendan Q. Ferguson, one of the lead designers on ''Save the World'' and ''Beyond Time and Space'', said that he believed that it was Emerson-Johnson's scores that created the vital atmosphere in the games, noting that prior to the implementation of the soundtracks, playing the games was an "unrelenting horror".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ferguson|first=Brendan Q.|date=September 2008|title=Sam & Max: Season Two Soundtrack|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]}}</ref> Emerson-Johnson later returned to compose music for the ''Remastered'' releases, as well as ''This Time It's Virtual''.

==Cultural impact and reception==
[[File:Sam & Max Comic-Con 07.jpg|thumb|right|Sam and Max [[cosplay]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2007.]]

The ''Sam & Max'' franchise has been highly successful critically, and is considered an iconic and influential aspect of the [[video game industry]] in the 1990s and the [[adventure game]] genre. In 2007, Steve Purcell wrote that he was somewhat surprised at the success of his creation, noting that the series had gained a large fan gathering despite the small size of the franchise. As the series contains only a small number of comics, video games and a short TV series, Purcell commented that there was "certainly not enough material to build that relentless traction of an endlessly renewed [[situation comedy|sitcom]] or a syndicated comic that has existed since the [[Korean War|Korean Conflict]]".<ref>{{cite book |last=Purcell |first=Steve |title=Sam & Max: Surfin' the Highway|edition=Anniversary |date=January 2008 |publisher=[[Telltale Games]] |location=United States |isbn=978-0-9792576-2-9|pages=4–5 |chapter=Foreword}}</ref> The comics were well received by critics, many praising the humor and style of the stories and characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justadventure.com/Press_Releases/SamMaxAnnivComic_Jan6_08.shtm |title=Anniversary edition of Sam & Max Surfin' the Highway comic collection now on sale |publisher=Just Adventure |date=2008-02-06 |access-date=2008-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219202350/http://www.justadventure.com/Press_Releases/SamMaxAnnivComic_Jan6_08.shtm |archive-date=2008-12-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/675/675146p1.html|title=Sam & Max Comic Debuts Online|website=[[IGN]]|first=David|last=Adams|date=2005-11-12|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2007/11/samandmax|title=''Sam & Max'' Games Revive a Long-Dead Comic|first=Chris|last=Kohler|date=2007-11-27|magazine=[[Wired News]]|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> However, later commentators have noted that the comic book series did not gain much popularity or recognition until after the release of ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' in 1993;<ref name="IGN 100">{{cite web|url=http://uk.top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_74.html |title=''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' |publisher=[[IGN]] |work=Top 100 Games |year=2007 |access-date=2008-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929221611/http://uk.top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_74.html |archive-date=2008-09-29}}</ref> the later episodic video games are seen to have revived interest in the comics again, resulting in the creation of the webcomic "The Big Sleep" and publication of an anniversary edition of ''Surfin' The Highway''.<ref name="Wired"/>

Upon its release in 1993, ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' was met with near universal acclaim. Critics praised the title for its humor, voice acting, graphics, music and gameplay.<ref name="Edge">{{cite magazine |date=February 1994 |title=Sam & Max Hit the Road |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=5 |pages=58–59 |issn=1350-1593}}</ref><ref name="GR">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/562679.asp|title=''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' Reviews|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2008-08-05}}</ref> It has since come to be regarded as a classic graphic adventure game,<ref name="AdvGamers">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,78|title=''Sam & Max Hit the Road''|publisher=[[Adventure Gamers]]|first=Joonas|last=Linkola|date=2004-03-05|access-date=2008-08-05}}</ref> one of the most critically successful projects by LucasArts to date.<ref name="ACG">{{cite web|url=http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/reviews/207/|title=''Sam & Max Hit the Road''|first=David|last=Olgarsson|publisher=Adventure Classic Gaming|date=2006-08-15|access-date=2008-08-13}}</ref> ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' is regularly featured in lists of top games,<ref name="IGN 100"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fhm.com/reviews/console-games/sam-and-max-hit-the-road-20090617#pagetitle|title=FHM's 100 Greatest Games of All Time|work=[[FHM]]|publisher=Bauer Media Group|first=David|last=Clack|date=2009-06-17|access-date=2013-05-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727102301/http://www.fhm.com/reviews/console-games/sam-and-max-hit-the-road-20090617#pagetitle|archive-date=2013-07-27}}</ref> and was nominated for the 1994 [[Annie Award]] for "Best Animated CD-ROM", although the award instead went to LucasArts' ''[[Star Wars: Rebel Assault]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://annieawards.org/22ndwinners.html |title=Legacy: 22nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (1994) |publisher=[[Annie Award]] |access-date=2008-08-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512011102/http://annieawards.org/22ndwinners.html |archive-date=2008-05-12}}</ref> The abrupt cancellation of the sequel to ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' in 2004 garnered substantial criticism of LucasArts. In addition to a petition of 32,000 signatures objecting to the termination of development on ''Sam & Max: Freelance Police'',<ref name="Freelance Police Telltale"/> both Steve Purcell and the media were critical of LucasArts' decision. Purcell stated that he failed to understand quite why the game was cancelled, as he believed the development of the game was proceeding without hindrance,<ref name="Mojo profile">{{cite web|url=http://mixnmojo.com/features/sitefeatures/The-Kinda-Sorta-But-Not-Really-Secret-History-of-Sam-and-Max-Freelance-Police|publisher=The International House of Mojo|title= The Kinda, Sorta, But Not Really Secret History of Sam & Max: Freelance Police |access-date=2008-11-17}}</ref> while the media put forward the view that LucasArts was moving to consolidate its position with low business risk ''[[Star Wars]]'' video games instead of pursuing the adventure games that had brought them success in earlier years.<ref name="Freelance Police Missing"/> The cancellation of ''Freelance Police'' is often cited as the culmination in a perceived decline in the overall adventure game genre,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3134600|title=The Essential 50 Part 33: ''Myst''|website=[[1UP.com]]|first=Jeremy|last=Parish|access-date=2008-11-17}}</ref> and LucasArts later dismissed many of the designers involved with developing their adventure games, effectively ending their [[LucasArts adventure games|adventure game era]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.spong.com/article/7451/LucasArts_Feels_the_Force_of_New_Presidents_Rationalisations|title = LucasArts Feels the Force of New President's Rationalisations |publisher=Spong|date=2004-07-16|access-date=2008-11-17}}</ref>

Although ''Sam & Max Save the World'' did not receive the critical acclaim that ''Sam & Max Hit the Road'' acquired, it still received a favorable response from critics across its release in 2006 and 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/938652.asp?q=Season%20One|title=''Sam & Max: Season One'' Reviews|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2008-12-07}}</ref> Critics praised the game's humor, graphics and gameplay,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32068.htm |title=''Sam & Max: Season One'' Review |publisher=GameZone |first=Anise |last=Hollingshead |date=2007-08-27 |access-date=2008-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005130402/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32068.htm |archive-date=2008-10-05 |url-status=dead}}</ref> although concerns were voiced over the low difficulty of the puzzles and the effectiveness of the story.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,771/|title=Review: ''Sam & Max: Season One''|publisher=[[Adventure Gamers]]|date=2007-08-30|first=Evans|last=Dickens|access-date=2008-12-07}}</ref> ''Save the World'' is considered by journalists in the video game industry to be the first successful application of [[Episodic video game|episodic gaming]], as Telltale Games had managed to release a steady stream content with only small time gaps.<ref name="episodic"/> Previous attempts by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] with the [[Half-Life (series)|''Half-Life'' series]], [[Ritual Entertainment]] with ''[[SiN Episodes]]'' and Telltale Games themselves with ''[[Bone: Out from Boneville|Bone]]'' were for a variety of reasons not considered successful implementations of the distribution model.<ref name="episodic">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason1/news.html?sid=6189014&om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatures&tag=newsfeatures;title;2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102210645/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/samandmaxseason1/news.html?sid=6189014&om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatures&tag=newsfeatures;title;2|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-02|title=Q&A: Telltale tells why ''Sam & Max'' works|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Brendan|last=Sinclair|date=2008-04-10|access-date=2008-12-07}}</ref> ''Beyond Time and Space'' was considered similar to ''Save the World'' and reviewers equally praised and faulted the game on this, although overall ''Beyond Time and Space'' received a good reception from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942289.asp?q=Season%20Two|title=''Sam & Max: Season Two'' Reviews|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2008-12-07}}</ref>

The success of the franchise has spawned a selection of merchandise, including posters and prints, items of clothing and [[sketchbook]]s of Purcell's work during various stages of the series' development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/store/|title=The Telltale Store|publisher=[[Telltale Games]]|access-date=2008-12-07|archive-date=2008-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211122833/http://www.telltalegames.com/store/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Collectable statues of the characters have also been created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/849/849219p1.html|title=''Sam & Max'' Statues Hit The Road|website=[[IGN]]|first=Richard|last=George|date=2008-02-01|access-date=2008-12-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930083622/http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/849/849219p1.html|archive-date=2011-09-30}}</ref> However, perhaps due to references in Purcell's sketchbooks<ref>{{cite book |last=Purcell |first=Steve |title=The Age of S&M: A Sam & Max Sketchbook |year=2006 |publisher=[[Telltale Games]] |location=United States |page=60}}</ref> and demand from both fans and journalists alike,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/09/30/i-want-sam-max-toys/|title=I Want Sam & Max Toys|first=Alec|last=Meer|journal=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=2008-10-30|access-date=2008-12-07}}</ref> a [[plush toy]] of Max has been created and sold, albeit limited edition, as a collaboration between internet shop Hashtag Collectibles and Steve Purcell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hashtagcollectibles.com/products/sam-and-max-stuffed-toy|title=Max plushie|website=Hashtag Collectibles|access-date=2019-03-28}}</ref> A limited edition plush toy of Sam has also been created and sold in late 2023 on Uncute's website,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam plushie |url=https://www.uncute.com/products/sam-plushie |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Uncute |language=en}}</ref>  and Max being brought back along with him for a limited time once again. Boss Fight Studios produced a new line of [[action figure]]s based on the Freelance Police for 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/bossfightstudio/posts/1612172418910602 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/305261242935066/1612172418910602 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Boss Fight Studio|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the prototypes were first revealed at New York Toy Fair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/boss-fight-studios-reveal-new-sam-max-figures/|title=Boss Fight Studios Reveal new Sam & Max Figures!|date=2019-02-17|website=Action Figure Insider|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Sam & Max}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/SamandMaxFunhouse/ Sam & Max Funhouse]
* [http://samandmaxblog.blogspot.com/ Steve Purcell's ''Sam & Max'' blog]
* [http://samandmax.co.uk/ Sam & Max.co.uk]
* [http://toonopedia.com/samnmax.htm ''Sam & Max''] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240528014639/https://www.webcitation.org/6oBITHZKF?url=http://toonopedia.com/samnmax.htm Archived] from the original on February 10, 2017.

{{Sam & Max}}

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